Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County
January 29, 2010 Edition
It has been awhile since I discussed the actions of two of my least favorite groups - HSUS and PETA, or for that matter a whole plethora of organizations whom have placed agriculture and particular animal agriculture directly in their crosshairs. I have been watching these groups and have been amazed at all of their shenanigans, but have held off writing about them until I watched Nightline earlier this week, when they took aim at the dairy industry with their “Got Milk? Got Ethics? Animal Rights v. U.S. Dairy Industry” piece that they ran. That got my attention, my blood pressure spiked.
I first was angry at ABC and Nightline who ran it. I then shifted my displeasure to the people who brought this out via stealth and with supposed undercover videos. They were instigated and produced by the animal rights group, Mercy for Animals, which is really a Vegan promoting group who have routinely stalked and filmed several livestock production and processing firms, and unfortunately always in an unflattering way. This ABC nightline show is now fueling a debate over the need for new laws to regulate the treatment of American dairy cows. They are doing exactly what they have set out to do. I suggest if you missed Nightline that you go to the Mercy for Animals website and view the video that is stirring up the controversy. You can find it at: http://www.mercyforanimals.org/dairy/ , but be prepare.
When I thought it all out, I was even more angry and distressed that a farm, knowing full well the environment we live in today, allowed this to happen. Although most of the film was set at common events in dairies of docking tails, electric dehorning of calves, pulling calves away from their mothers, etc. All things that we know about and accept as normal, it also showed some less than sensitive action by farm workers. We must in animal agriculture not give these people the ammunition with which they can shoot at us. Of course the high majority of people involved with animal production do it right, but it is that very small minority that gives us the bad rap. We have got to eliminate all those things that make us out to be the villains, and then communicate effectively why we do some of the management practices that we do and why we do them. If we leave it to our distracters the only story that is going to be told is that conveyed by groups like this.
In the defense of the owner he did say, “We have a history of firing people who have mistreated animals because that is not where we belong.” But the makers of the film came right back with the analogy of –“Which of course also means: They have a history of hiring people who mistreat animals.” The Mercy for Animals video also contains a chilling segment in which an employee brags at length about the abuse he has inflicted onto the cows. The founder of the group, Nathan Runkle, told ABC: “Every single time that we send investigators undercover into America’s factory farms, they emerge with startling evidence of animal cruelty and neglect.” It is no wonder we have an uphill battle.
I have not forgotten about HSUS and PETA. Let’s start with HSUS. Here is another reason we have to really be on our guard. It’s almost unbelievable- but a Vermont lawmaker has introduced a bill that would authorize that “An inspector who is a representative of a the Humane Society of the United States, a state based-domiciled humane society, or similar organization approved by rule of the secretary, shall be present to observe a slaughterer, packer, or stockyard operator when engaged in the practice of bleeding or slaughtering livestock.” What groups like HSUS are trying to do in Vermont as well as other states, represents an important turning point in their crusade to enact animal welfare reforms.
I have warned that to expect more from the group in efforts similar to the potentially disastrous Prop 2 legislation in California and other key agricultural states. It could be that Minnesota will become the next battleground between the animal agriculture industry and the Humane Society of the United States. A recent overture from the HSUS to meet with the Minnesota Farm Bureau is a pattern that could very well end in compromises by the state’s animal agriculture industry. The fact that they’re coming into Minnesota worries me, just one more state, one more step to reeking havoc on animal agriculture all across our nation. Recent legislative and policy victories for HSUS in California, Maine, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Washington and pushes in Ohio easily could be replicated in Minnesota and then who is next? Ballot initiatives can be introduced in 24 states and Nebraska is considered as one of the most vulnerable!
Now, this really gets to me. Two weeks ago there was a cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti where hundreds of thousands of people have died and left homeless and in a world of hurt. While most Americans are focused on helping the families now living in tent cities, trying to avoid falling rubble while locating lost loved ones, the HSUS is once again trying to monopolize on the emotions of Americans to raise money for their own agenda. In a letter sent out to their 10 million supporters, HSUS is seeking monetary support to help the animals in Haiti. Give me a break. It’s my understanding that HSUS is all about the liberation of animals and the abolishment of animal agriculture. Misplaced animals without humans to provide adequate food, water and shelter, isn’t that what their main mission would accomplish? Who do they think they are kidding? Unfortunately, I think they are duping a lot of well-intentioned individuals. I hope that one day their manipulation will be exposed to the world, and it’s up to us to spread the word. I have just begun on this topic. I will continue this discussion next week. You can’t believe what else they have been up to!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
Friday, January 29, 2010
Straight From the Horse's Mouth
Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County
January 29, 2010 Edition
It has been awhile since I discussed the actions of two of my least favorite groups - HSUS and PETA, or for that matter a whole plethora of organizations whom have placed agriculture and particular animal agriculture directly in their crosshairs. I have been watching these groups and have been amazed at all of their shenanigans, but have held off writing about them until I watched Nightline earlier this week, when they took aim at the dairy industry with their “Got Milk? Got Ethics? Animal Rights v. U.S. Dairy Industry” piece that they ran. That got my attention, my blood pressure spiked.
I first was angry at ABC and Nightline who ran it. I then shifted my displeasure to the people who brought this out via stealth and with supposed undercover videos. They were instigated and produced by the animal rights group, Mercy for Animals, which is really a Vegan promoting group who have routinely stalked and filmed several livestock production and processing firms, and unfortunately always in an unflattering way. This ABC nightline show is now fueling a debate over the need for new laws to regulate the treatment of American dairy cows. They are doing exactly what they have set out to do. I suggest if you missed Nightline that you go to the Mercy for Animals website and view the video that is stirring up the controversy. You can find it at: http://www.mercyforanimals.org/dairy/ , but be prepare.
When I thought it all out, I was even more angry and distressed that a farm, knowing full well the environment we live in today, allowed this to happen. Although most of the film was set at common events in dairies of docking tails, electric dehorning of calves, pulling calves away from their mothers, etc. All things that we know about and accept as normal, it also showed some less than sensitive action by farm workers. We must in animal agriculture not give these people the ammunition with which they can shoot at us. Of course the high majority of people involved with animal production do it right, but it is that very small minority that gives us the bad rap. We have got to eliminate all those things that make us out to be the villains, and then communicate effectively why we do some of the management practices that we do and why we do them. If we leave it to our distracters the only story that is going to be told is that conveyed by groups like this.
In the defense of the owner he did say, “We have a history of firing people who have mistreated animals because that is not where we belong.” But the makers of the film came right back with the analogy of –“Which of course also means: They have a history of hiring people who mistreat animals.” The Mercy for Animals video also contains a chilling segment in which an employee brags at length about the abuse he has inflicted onto the cows. The founder of the group, Nathan Runkle, told ABC: “Every single time that we send investigators undercover into America’s factory farms, they emerge with startling evidence of animal cruelty and neglect.” It is no wonder we have an uphill battle.
I have not forgotten about HSUS and PETA. Let’s start with HSUS. Here is another reason we have to really be on our guard. It’s almost unbelievable- but a Vermont lawmaker has introduced a bill that would authorize that “An inspector who is a representative of a the Humane Society of the United States, a state based-domiciled humane society, or similar organization approved by rule of the secretary, shall be present to observe a slaughterer, packer, or stockyard operator when engaged in the practice of bleeding or slaughtering livestock.” What groups like HSUS are trying to do in Vermont as well as other states, represents an important turning point in their crusade to enact animal welfare reforms.
I have warned that to expect more from the group in efforts similar to the potentially disastrous Prop 2 legislation in California and other key agricultural states. It could be that Minnesota will become the next battleground between the animal agriculture industry and the Humane Society of the United States. A recent overture from the HSUS to meet with the Minnesota Farm Bureau is a pattern that could very well end in compromises by the state’s animal agriculture industry. The fact that they’re coming into Minnesota worries me, just one more state, one more step to reeking havoc on animal agriculture all across our nation. Recent legislative and policy victories for HSUS in California, Maine, Michigan, Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Washington and pushes in Ohio easily could be replicated in Minnesota and then who is next? Ballot initiatives can be introduced in 24 states and Nebraska is considered as one of the most vulnerable!
Now, this really gets to me. Two weeks ago there was a cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti where hundreds of thousands of people have died and left homeless and in a world of hurt. While most Americans are focused on helping the families now living in tent cities, trying to avoid falling rubble while locating lost loved ones, the HSUS is once again trying to monopolize on the emotions of Americans to raise money for their own agenda. In a letter sent out to their 10 million supporters, HSUS is seeking monetary support to help the animals in Haiti. Give me a break. It’s my understanding that HSUS is all about the liberation of animals and the abolishment of animal agriculture. Misplaced animals without humans to provide adequate food, water and shelter, isn’t that what their main mission would accomplish? Who do they think they are kidding? Unfortunately, I think they are duping a lot of well-intentioned individuals. I hope that one day their manipulation will be exposed to the world, and it’s up to us to spread the word. I have just begun on this topic. I will continue this discussion next week. You can’t believe what else they have been up to!
The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home
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