Dog Writers Need Freedom of the Press, Too

Recently, some other bloggers have written about PETA's dismal record of animal adoptions, using PETA's own statistics, which by law had to be supplied to the state of Virginia. I won't go into the actual intake versus adoption versus euthanasia numbers here. Go investigate for yourself if you're so inclined.
What I want to talk about here is the fact that these bloggers, after writing using unquestionably accurate information, received letters from one of PETA's attorneys, warning them to cease and desist. While I don't support what PETA is doing as far as companion animals are concerned, I really can't stomach this attempt to curtail freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Short of slander, libel, or yelling "fire" in a crowded theater, we as Americans are supposed to have the right to speak -- or write -- our minds at any place and any time. Yet here is this massive "nonprofit" organization, one of the biggest moneyraisers in the country, using some of their gelt to try and muzzle those who would dare to utter a word against them.
Well, in this case it has backfired, as other writers and bloggers are now adding their voices to expose this attempt to silence our brethren. Perhaps PETA's lawyers are going to be very busy, churning out those "cease and desist" letters, or perhaps they will realize that this is not an effective way to keep the press reporting only what PETA wants them to report.
Funnily enough, though I disagree with the goals of PETA, I have in the past defended their right to state their case. Freedom of speech means freedom of speech for everyone, even those with whom you disagree. The powers-that-be at PETA might want to sit down and think about that.