Animal-rights activism is a unique social movement. It is a humble movement that gives a voice to those who cannot speak. But why do many animal-rights organizations thrive on advertising mutilated [animals] and [showing] partial nudity of women? Many authors have suggested that animal rights in this modern-day era have turned into a political economy affecting both sides; both sides being animal-rights group and people who profit off the exploitation of animals by treating them as commodities. Animals are exploited by the food industry, as well by the cosmetic industry, but people also do not see that animals are exploited by organizations that are dedicated to protect animals as well. Animal-rights organizations use pictures of tortured animals to make people feel guilty and [get them to] possibly donate to their cause so their organization can thrive. That can be good and bad, because on one hand animals are possibly being helped from donations; on the other, activism is made into an act of commerce because on websites of animal-rights groups, there is a link that says if you donate now an animal will be saved. If people become accustomed to that kind of activism, a capitalist economy has granted that the donations are 100 percent profit for whatever use that organization wants to use hard-earned money for. Those are some key points Bob Torres’ “Making a Killing” has shed light upon, such as many authors have shed light upon the U.S economic system. Other include Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” and George Orwell’s “Animal Farm.” In all of these books, there have been suggestions of socialism, government reform and ulterior motives from government, and they all ultimately suggest the reformation of the economic system of capitalism. The reality is that the U.S government would not reform an economic system that has benefited the country so well and, after all, if people in the U.S contemplate our economy, capitalism is natural, profit is only natural. It is an economic system that exploits the weaknesses of consumers and suppliers alike. It reflects the way of might makes right, it is a gamble that is tantalizing for both sides. So where could people find the equilibrium in that, and even more so, animals? Tim Zaragoza High Tech High School Point Loma