Society for Indecency to Naked Animals
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The Society for Indecency to Naked Animals, or SINA [pron. "sinna"], was a hoax perpetrated by comedian Alan Abel from 1959 to 1962. The group used the language and rhetoric of conservative moralists for the aim of clothing naked animals including pets, barnyard animals, and large wildlife (an alleged debate within SINA was how large an animal had to be to require clothing). Slogans such as "Decency today means morality tomorrow" and "A nude horse is a rude horse" were offered frequently. Actor Buck Henry played the role of group president G. Clifford Prout, and Alan Abel played the group vice president.
SINA actually acquired ardent supporters, some of whom attempted to contribute a great deal of money. This aided SINA's (false) claims of gaining momentum - at one point they claimed to have tens of thousands of members. They also published a newsletter, in an issue of which is found an anthem of sorts:
High on the wings of SINA / we fight for the future now;
Let's clothe every pet and animal / whether dog, cat horse or cow!
G. Clifford Prout, our President / he works for you and me,
So clothe all your pets and join the march / for worldwide Decency!
S.I.N.A., that's our call / all for one and one for all.
Hoist our flag for all to see / waving for Morality.
Onward we strive together / stronger in every way,
All mankind and his animal friends / for SINA, S.I.N.A.!
The group was brought down when staffers on Walter Cronkite's news show recognized Buck Henry while taping an interview.
Alan Abel managed to keep the newsletter going for several more years, hoaxing members who had not heard of or seen the CBS segment.
[edit] References
- Abel, Alan (1966). The Great American Hoax. Trident Press.
- Abel, Alan (1970). The Confessions of a Hoaxer. Macmillan Company.
[edit] External links
- Society for Indecency to Naked Animals page from Museum of Hoaxes