Field of Dreams Update - Costner out, PETA in

The Field of Dreams is still for sale at this hour. Between pop cans and the change jar on top of my dresser, I'm a wee bit short.

It's only $5.4 million. Come on, folks. It's on Time magazine's list of the 10 most iconic film locations. What a bargain.

Kevin Costner? Go the distance?  Sorry, not interested.

Ray Liotta? Have a catch? No thanks?

A former ghost player wonders whether 3,000 people would be willing to chip in $2,000 bucks each.

 Wait, is that a line of headlights I see in the distance? Nah.

No buyers, but People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, would like to lease the place.

Why? For a "Pig Empathy Display," of course.

Here's a letter PETA sent to the Field's owners:

May 18, 2010

Don and Becky Lansing

c/o Ken Sanders

Via e-mail: kensanders20@gmail.com

Dear Mr. and Ms. Lansing,

I am writing on behalf of PETA and our more than 2 million members and supporters-including thousands across Iowa. We have an idea to put the iconic "Field of Dreams" to good use while you await a final sale. We would like to offer to rent this landmark to build the temporary "Field of Nightmares: Pig Empathy Display," which would encourage nearby pork producers to stop cheating pigs out of a happy life.

Pigs get a worse rap than Shoeless Joe. As the nation's number one pork-producing state, Iowa has factory farms that are truly a "Field of Nightmares" for pigs, who live in filth and often have their tails, teeth, and testicles cut off without any pain relief. After a lifetime of suffering, the first time that many pigs breathe fresh air is the day that they are forced onto a transport truck and taken to the slaughterhouse, where some pigs have their throats cut while they are still conscious.

We'd like to educate the 65,000 tourists who come each year to the Field of Dreams about how pigs feel pain and fear just as we do and are just as smart as 3-year-old humans. Guests can "pig out" on delicious faux-pork "riblets" (made from healthy plant protein), and youngsters will enjoy free animal-friendly stickers and coloring books. Our multimedia display will leave visitors enlightened and empowered, knowing that they can stop the abuse of these intelligent, friendly animals simply by leaving pork off their plates.

We hope that you'll consider our offer to make the Field of Dreams a roadside attraction that offers tourists a new kind of food for thought. Please contact me so that we can begin the planning process. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Tracy Reiman

Executive Vice President

What can you say? Pass the hot dogs.

Good ballpark dogs are all-beef, so I've been unknowingly empathizing with pigs for years. Although some innocent mustards were harmed in the preparation of my hot dogs. And relish. Sniff. I'm full, but not proud.

More updates later as they become available.