"PETA upset at Six Flags roach contest"

Somehow, I don't think PETA's gonna garner too much sympathy with this one.

GURNEE, Ill. - 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.

Well, at least PETA's being fairly consistent. They are defending a vile animal as much as they defend cute ones. But does anyone else think the animal rights organization has jumped the shark yet? C'mon, roaches? Is that any way to win someone over to your side, by speaking out for nasty insects?

I suppose we should love wasps and scorpions, too.