Wasting time on the Internet as usual, I was shocked to come across a super-sexy TV ad featuring Alicia Silverstone… emerging naked from a pool, caressing herself because, as she declares, “I am a vegetarian.” Huh?

After more searching I discovered that the commercial is one of many racy PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ads, which apparently have been around in magazines and the web for years. The basic formula is a nearly naked celebrity and an animal-rights message, such as “I’d rather go naked than wear fur.” PETA apparently is totally cool with being provocative— the PETA-sponsored website Lettuceladies.com borders on obscene in promoting vegetarianism- one of the videos features girls in thong bikinis wrestling in a baby pool of tofu while wide-eyed men gawk.

Sex sells for sure… but animal rights? And is it OK to objectify women even while fighting for animals? Must it be one or the other, animal rights, or… human rights? Or maybe these ads are just a smart, sure-fire way to get a message out, loud and clear. Check them out for yourself here.