Cattlemen have risen in protest to the NCAA’s (National Collegiate Athletic Association) decision to replace leather basketballs with pleather basketballs.

This odd change was made in response to the request of the animal rights group PETA in their continuing quest to eliminate animal agriculture. Why the NCAA did it is easy to explain: they are wimps. They are part of a system that has become spineless and compromising instead of fostering leadership and integrity. I have many friends on the faculties of colleges and universities who tear their hair out over the attitude of the seemingly fainthearted capitulators who are in charge.

So chalk one up for PETA. I assume they didn’t approach the National Basketball Association on purpose. My mental picture of an NBA player includes diamond rings, sunglasses, tennis shoes the size of bass boats and a black leather coat.

“Mr. 7-footer, would you like your Rolls-Royce with the chemically derived, simulated plastic bucket seats and styrofoam dashboard?’

“Say what!”

Will PETA approach the NCAA next, requesting that pigskin footballs be replaced with a titanium tipped marshmallow projectile? A pseudo-football that will go right though the numbers of slippery-handed tight ends if thrown too hard.

Next on their wish list might be exchanging tennis balls currently made from mouse bladders and goat hair with something akin to rolled up socks. And how far could Tiger Woods hit a PETA approved tar ball?

But in truth, the replacement of natural products by synthetics has been an ongoing process. Wool and cotton have given way to polyester. Steel bumpers, silverware, shoe soles, rubber tires, board fence, rawhide reins, homegrown tomatoes and wooden baseball bats are progressively giving way to non-organic substitutes. In modern man’s search for sameness and consistency he must eliminate nature’s diversity. And diversity is a no-no in the land of public education – all God’s children are equal. Excellence is discouraged so that underachievers’ egos are not bruised. So the NCAA fell right into PETA’s hands.

Still, I admire the National Cattlemens Association for protesting the NCAA’s kowtowing to the lunatics. Even if it’s just on principle.

Well, it’s time to check the cows on my all natural, leather covered, four-legged conveyance. I just hope his tendency for diversity isn’t manifested into some aberrant behavior – like the last time. But even if it is, I wouldn’t trade it. It’s better than living in a pleather world.