animal rights group is asking the residents of Slaughterville, Okla

[jon lynn]

SLAUGHTERVILLE, Okla. — An animal rights group is asking the residents of Slaughterville, Okla., to reconsider the town's name.

The alternative? Veggieville.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (search) sent a latter to Slaughterville administrator Marsha Blair suggesting that the town undergo a moniker makeover to sound less hostile to furry and feathered friends.

"Veggieville [is] a friendly name honoring a heart-healthy and compassionate alternative to animal corpses," the letter said.

The group said it's even willing to cough up a lot of lettuce — $20,000 worth of veggie burgers — for Slaughterville students if the town will change its name, according to Bruce Friedrich, director of PETA's vegan campaigns.But Slaughterville residents apparently think PETA is full of beans.

"We do not intend to change the name," Blair told Reuters.

Slaughterville was named after a grocery store run by James Slaughter, who helped found the town in the early 20th century.

For Blair and other residents, the Slaughter family's lingering reputation makes the town's name a sacred cow.

Friedrich, who once lived in the town of 3,600, said that though some might think his offer is a joke, he hopes his pro-veggie message will resound.

"People find our requests amusing, and they chuckle," he said. "But when they're laughing, they have the opportunity to consider the animal abuse it brings up."


Now for the best part........Slaughtersville has no schools!