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GURNEE, Ill. (AP) -- Why wait in line when you can just eat a cockroach? That's the question Six Flags Great America is asking its thrill seekers during its Halloween-themed FrightFest. The amusement park is daring customers to eat a live Madagascar hissing cockroach in exchange for unlimited line-jumping privileges.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EAT_A_ROACH_PROMOTION?SITE=CADIU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

People who keep these animals know how complex they are. This stupid promotion hisses me off! What rocket scientist came up with this cruel and disgusting idea?

I've narked them off to PETA, which if you knew me you'd know was strange bedfellows indeed. I catch fish and eat them. I don't have a problem with leather and meat.

I do, however, have a real problem with mindless cruelty. If you can do anything to stop it, now would be a good time to start.

cheers, all. I'm more of a spider person, but I like most invertebrates except those little black ants that come in my house, and I think this asinine bolshoi needs to be slapped down NOW!

I agree with you, Barbz. There is no point in eating Hissing roaches, unless someone is starving due to lack of protein. It's an attention getting promotion for the benefit of the amusement park and really has no practicality. It's the same stupidity that kept such shows as Fear Factor's ratings up to remain on TV longer. Hopefully, the psychological reaction that the "eaters" of the roaches will cause them to purge afterwards.

I doubt if any humane society, Dept. of Food & Agriculture/Wildlife, & PETA group-- would do anything for invertebrates, unless it was an endangered species.

On the otherside of the "line", there are some cultures that typically eat insects within their diets and in some cases are a main source of protein for them.

FIRST COAST NEWS (Jacksonville, Florida) 25 September 06 PETA Upset at Six Flags Roach-Eating Contest
Gurnee, Ill. (AP) : People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants Six Flags Great America to scrap its Halloween-themed cockroach-eating promotion.
A spokeswoman for the animal rights organization says the contest at the amusement park's FrightFest is "gratuitously cruel."
The park in Gurnee, Ill., is joining other Six Flags parks in offering unlimited line-jumping privileges to anyone who eats a live Madagascar hissing cockroach. The bugs are up to three inches long.
The contest begins next month.
Amusement park officials are defending their menu choice. Great America spokesman Jim Taylor says the bugs are nutritious, high in protein and fat free.
PETA Upset at Six Flags Roach-Eating Contest

Wow! At least PETA is trying/tried to do something about it. I doubt if they will make progress on it due to being an invert & not a protected species.

You can now see the mentality of the promoter that I was talking about in my previous post; although he is right about the nutrition, he should put-up or shut-up. This promoter should eat one or more roaches in front of the public. All it takes is for one person to get sick & then the lawsuits will start flying into court. LOL

A little side of syrup of ipecac with your roach would help, I would imagine...heh. (not a suggestion, entertainment porpoises only!)

Yeah, the ipecac should be the dipping sauce..LOL

Let the contest begin!

I agree totally. I have three male hissers whom I love very dearly. I'm also on the peta2 boards and there have been numorous threads about it. Everyone is very outraged. If I went to Six Flags while the promotion was going on, I'd rescue the poor hissers.