“Call your Congressman! Call your Senator! Let them know how you feel about horse slaughter!”
“You need to study how the government works. Congress is the only one that can pass…”
“Calling the President is a waste of time. Call your Senator…”
Advice from my father – “You don’t want to know how hot dogs are made or how the government works.”
If you have been trying to stop the slaughter of horses as long as I have, you are probably just as frustrated as I am. There are a few things I’ve learned along the way, some of which I will share with you. If you disagree, then do it however you want, just don’t waste your time telling me how stupid I am.
Horse statues in DC
Part of the fun and excitement of being involved in this issue is making the trip to the nation’s capital to talk with Representatives and Senators and, with stars in our eyes, to hand out new information that will hopefully influence their decisions. I will admit that the first time I did this, I actually had hopes that my voice would make a difference. It took two minutes in Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison’s (R-TX) office to know that my time was better spent sitting on the fence and watching the grass grow.
In every office an aide will sit or, if they really don’t care, stand for a few minutes and let you give them informational papers. Senator Hutchison knew why we were there, yet she absolutely refused to even look our way when she went to her office. She made it a point to wave her hand toward us in a very dismissive gesture.
The real education came later that afternoon when I headed to the cafeteria for a break. Coincidentally, an aide that works for one of the Senators was in the same line. I bought his lunch. In turn, he told me how it really works in DC.
“Listen, I’ve been doing this for twelve years,” he said. “We might have ten groups of people a day come through the office, all of them with what they consider vital information. This morning I had a group wanting to import a Panda, a group wanting recognition for organizing a judicial watch system which amounted to nothing more than a bunch of retired people sitting around a courtroom taking notes, you guys, then someone complaining that the Senator is making too much money. “
“So what does it take to get the message to a Senator?”
The look said it all. “What do you think? Money, of course. Represent an important contributor and you will walk right in to the Senator’s office. Are you a lobbyist? I’m all ears. Are you someone walking in off the street? An aide will take what you have, but as soon as you leave, it probably goes in the trash.”
“We have a major effort going on now for people to call their Senators to get this horse slaughter bill passed. Do those calls mean anything?”
“We have a sheet by the phones where we can write down the topic, then we draw a line. If a caller is for, a check mark goes on one side, against on another. If we receive a few hundred calls with the majority for or against, we’ll write it in a daily summary. The Senator might or might not glance at it. Same with faxes. They simply become a mark on a piece of paper.”
“So the bottom line is, if I want to get their attention on this ….”
“Bring money. Those groups that want horse slaughter make some pretty nice contributions.”
That, my friends, is your representative government at work.
Three men did away with the amendment that stopped the USDA inspections in US equine slaughterhouses.
Roy Blunt (R-MO) has been around DC since ’89. He’s worth $6.6 million. His fundraising efforts since ’89 resulted in $26.5 million.
Jack Kingston (R-GA) has $1,031,750 in cash for the 2012 elections. $5,000 of that came from the AVMA, another $5000 from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Herb Kohl (D-WI) raised $21 million since ’88!
Me? I have $20, but I wanted to buy supper tonight.
There was a time when I begged with people to “…flood the phone lines of the Senators and Representatives….” to get them to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act. Sometimes our efforts paid off. At least we got it through the House, but some wise and rich Senator would put a hold on it and nothing could dislodge the bill – just the same as it is today. That bill has been floating around DC for a decade. Its become a way to keep the horse lovers quiet while the pro-slaughter folks quietly go around paying out PAC money, shaking hands and patting everyone on the back.
It worked, didn’t it? We are now right back where we were in 2005. Horse slaughter is coming back to America. Maybe.
This is NOT about party politics. Who the person acting as President is not important to me. What he said to get elected IS very important and that is what we all need to call him down on. He stated that he will work to stop the slaughter of horses.
Think about what you just did.
Personal to President Obama – Feet to the fire time – so do it, Mr. President. You have the right and the ability to issue an Executive Order putting a stop to the slaughter of equine for human consumption and the shipment of equine to any other country for that same purpose. Yes, it can be done.
I can sit here all day long and write one reason after another about why it should be stopped. You don’t need to hear those reasons. You already said you would stop it.
So do it.
I seriously doubt that this blog will ever get read by anyone close to the President, which is why I’m asking all of you to pass the message along. Call the Presidential Hotline – 202-456-1111 and ask whomever answers to pass the message along.
Two more items – Those proposing opening a horse slaughterhouse in the US should pay close attention to the operation of a Canadian horse slaughterhouse designed by Dr. Temple Grandin. (If that link is not working, try here.) I once had a lot of respect for her. Through her wisdom, this place was supposed to be like a “cozy corner” where horses “gently slip away to an eternal piece.” Just fair warning – this is the BEST of the designs to killing horses. It ain’t pretty and if you have any kind of soul at all, this will haunt you. Example caught on film – eleven shots to get a horse to stop jerking around. The horse cries out. The sub-human with the bolt gun says, “I love you, too.”
I fully expect the pro-slaughter folks to watch it and laugh. “Look at dat stoopid horse!”
And they wonder why we’re so polarized. The pro-slaughter people will love this feature film and probably will tingle with excitement at having their own “equine processing facility” in their state.
Last item: Think this isn’t a big business? Mexico exported 171,900,000 pounds of horse meat in 2009 and, outside of China, slaughters more horses (over 600,000) than any other county. China slaughters 1.7 million equine yearly.
Jude
December 15, 2011 at 8:07 am
How about INVESTING in BILL BOARD ads so the PUBLIC can see what is really going on~ In the states where senators like Blunt, Kohl and Kingston hold office and let the public know that these people are corrupt and vote them out of office~~~ They are counting on the majority of public not being aware of their corruption~~
sassybrat1904
December 12, 2011 at 6:03 pm
write you senators and ask them if they think they are going to get your vote if they continue with the horse slaughtering? It should be no Horse slaughtering and no exporting out our horses for slaughter. It will be election time can they afford to lose our votes?
Me personally i don’t have money but I can/ can not vote!
Linda Horn
December 10, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Remember Representative Mo Udall from Arizona? His brother, Stewart, was Secretary of the Interior in the Kennedy adminstration, and he was uncle to my Senator, Tom (D.NM). He passed away in 1968, but left what I consider the most comprehensive guide to making personal contact with Congress. It boils down to writing a personal letter. I don’t know if envelopes are welcomed after the “white powder” incidents, but standard size 24# or heavier paper, folded in thirds and lightly taped should make it to their D.C. offices. If you and your representatives share a party, make sure to include that. If not, just say your’re a registered voter. Write or sign in blue ink, so they can immediately tell it’s not a copy. And I always address my submissions by hand.
http://www.bchw.org/lnt/main/udall.htm
Irene Filacchione
December 9, 2011 at 12:45 pm
I, for one, am a proponent at beating the bastards at their own game. That happens to be passing a law against slaughter. Slim chance? the chance of an executive order is slimmer to none. I researched when and how an executive order can be issued and the slaughter ban doesn’t qualify. We do have one thing on our side, even though we have no organization to speak of (which must be remedied) and no money compared to the horse killers. We do have strength in numbers, we just have to harness it. I proposed that EWA be the umbrella organization, we divide up the “pr” campaign for the heart and voice of the country and we can win this. If Egypt managed to throw out a dictator who’s been in power for 35 years then we can get those bills out of the committee where they are buried if we have the numbers that can’t be ignored. That needs organization. Have you seen Occupy (fill in your cause or city)? I see posts every day of people either starting their own FB page, or asking what they should do and where. We have to let the politicians know this is not business as usual. We mean business and demand results this time. A law with no loopholes. But if we don’t channel our voices, if we don’t organize our efforts and make our numbers known, we won’t be able to force them to act. Because they sure won’t do it out of the goodness of their hearts, since that doesn’t exist. We CAN win this fight but not if we don’t speak with one voice and let them know we mean business. I think the movie WAR HORSE if a godsend and our christmas gift for the horses. It should be the kickoff to our own PR campaign.
Kathryn Webers
December 9, 2011 at 3:21 pm
In spite of all the years spent working to criminalize horse slaughter for its unjustified suffering and destruction, we do and will fight on until we gain that prohibition.
Yes, post and comment on every article you can find for “War Horse”. We couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to raise awareness! How can a society which so values horses and what they do for us ever tolerate horse slaughter? The brutality and suffering of the horse slaughter industry shames us all.
Act to see the federal ban bills passed: S1176 & HR2966. Call your Rep and Senators in Washington now and work for their support and cosponsorship of these bills.
Cheryl Flanagan
December 9, 2011 at 7:20 am
Your words, Jerry, “If you have been trying to stop the slaughter of horses as long as I have, you are probably just as frustrated as I am. ” Hit me right in the heart. I feel so numb. I have been to Washington, New York and other places to speak to politicians and protest. I truly was mistaken that I made any difference. I really never thought we’d be here on the font lines again.
We need to keep bring in more caring people everyday to join our Army against slaughter.
Thank you for your constant informational posts and for keeping us in the right direction.
Jerry Finch
December 9, 2011 at 8:00 am
Good to hear from you, Cheryl. Seems like most of the old warriors have dropped out, and that’s a shame because there is a world of experience to be shared. We’ve won a few battles, but more than anything, we know the tricks the pro-slaughter forces use and we don’t mind exposing the lies. Thank you for staying active.
Mary Clark
December 10, 2011 at 2:58 am
Jerry, be encouraged.
There is always corruption. There always has been. The President can’t wave a wand and end this alone. It takes numbers and public support. Money only goes so far.
There is an also an army of anti-slaughter advocates and activists on social media, for example These are dedicated groups of many people working every day, when they need to be doing everything else, to end this horror.
These groups of everyday people are working fast and furiously to end this unethical taxpayer ripoff and save the horses lives. I take my time and work for this goal, too. This is how I know about these numerous groups and the work they do.
Never underestimate the average Anerican. They are smart and are on this topic.
I would encourage you and anyone else who has doubt to visit any social media site and get acquainted with these people. They are determined, raise funds and will win this fight.
Historical examples abound. How do we think slavery ended? How we do we think the enfranchisement of women happened? The end of child labor? The President is at the end of line.
If voters don’t know about this topic, they can’t act. Educating the taxpayer is essential. Contacting Congress matters since they can pay with their jobs. They can be voted out.
Instead of sending a discouraging message, why not focus on what we are already doing and what the average American can do from where he is at the time and with what he has right now? It is easy to contact Congress at http://www.Congress.org and make it clear that the rep or senator will lose his job if he or she does not help bring pressure for a debate of the existing bills re this issue. When we persist, we win. That is how change is made.
Change comes from the grassroots up. History tells us that.
Suzanne Moore
December 11, 2011 at 6:47 pm
I often feel the same way. I am from Dallas, TX and got my first horse in 1977. I wasn’t even aware that horses were even eaten by people, much less know that there were two equine slaughter plants less than 50 miles away! I found out how down and dirty that business was when my first friend got his horse stolen – I think it was 1980.
We got ourselves educated real quick. This guy was a County Sheriff and they took his horse! Sweet 7 year old QH. We held an educational rally at our boarding stable. Lots of people showed up, and we learned that there was NO sure way of keeping your horse safe – short of locking him in your garage overnight, which some people were actually doing. A brand could be a deterrent, but only if there were unbranded ones they could take instead.
These thieves were pros, and they could get a horse away from places anyone would think were safe. Our stable had never lost a horse. The owner and foreman lived close to the upper barn, and there were peacocks allover the trees in the two lower barns. If they were bothered in the SLIGHTEST after sundown, they made a ruckus that would wake the dead.
The thieves that came in overnight in 1991 had obviously cased the place well. They took three horses very quietly out of the upper barn and led them off somewhere to load them. They took a darling young Morgan from the stall next to mine, a wonderful 18 year old TB whose owner and she had been together almost all her life, from the stall across the isle, another young QH from down a couple of stalls. Why didn’t they take mine? He did have a big freeze mark on his hip and he was the only branded horse in the barn, but I’ll never know if that was really the reason or if it was just the luck of the draw. I have never in my life been so shaken. It was horrible. We were like extended family. The stable owner nearly went out of his mind. We went everywhere looking for those horses in three states. Nothing.
I will never get over that. In fact, that was the main reason I took my horse and my husband and I moved to his native Indiana. I flat could not take any more.
Now, here’s these morons wanting to bring that horror back to the horse owners living in the area wherever they decide to build one of those hell-holes. It drives me CRAZY!
I get so discouraged sometimes. But I can’t quit, I just can’t. One of the horses I have now has a good chance of outliving me, and I would be worrying myself sick if his breeder – who is in Michigan – hadn’t made it part of the deal that if for any reason I couldn’t keep him, he goes back to her. She loves him dearly and would never let him come to harm. I trust NO ONE that I don’t know, and not all of them.
Sometimes I feel like I could actually kill Sue Wallis, I really do. I know she isn’t the only one, not by a long shot, but she is such a nasty liar. She’s also nuts, certifiable, and yet her cult still follows her like sheep to, well, slaughter.
Deb
December 9, 2011 at 6:35 am
Here is a eye opening investigation from 60 Minutes. It amazes me that politicians that do not have a pot to pee in, go into Congress and come out millionaires….and you ask “how did they do that?” Well, here is part of the problem..they make their own laws to suit them and Jerry you are so very right, if you don’t have money, you don’t win. I was surprised to hear also that if you are a non-profit, you cannot have a lobbyist speak for your organization, again the laws are against charities to get their voices out to get money and power in their corner. http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7388130n&tag=cbsnewsMainColumnArea.10
polopaula
December 9, 2011 at 3:05 am
Thanks, Jerry. I’ve been saying the same thing in every PRO_HORSE FB page for a year.. It’s the Money.. I live in Texas. Everyone in Texas knows, and the political science professors teach you…”Texas is a PAY to PLAY state”. i think that really goes for every state. John Cornyn and Roy Blunt each took over 600K dollars from Ag related PACS and organiztions and corporations that favor horse slaughter. The Anti-Slaughter folks contributed a whopping 2000 dollars to our hero,Congressman Moran… $2000.00. Now there is a man who speaks with his heart not his pocketbook.
I’m A Democrat.. I worked for the President. I believe that he IS our only hope. I know that his plate has been full, but we know from his votes and signatures while he was in the Senate that he is with us on animal issues. I will refocus on the President, and also spend time to get him re-elected. We have no chance to push this through with any of the Republican Presidential Candidates. We all know where their money comes from… can you say Pfizer and friends.
Thanks..back you 1000%. Unfortunately, I’m one of those poor Democrats…but I help whenever I can.
Beth Schang
December 9, 2011 at 2:14 am
President Obama’s economic speech in Kansas December 6, 2011,
and I quote:
“Inequality also distorts our democracy. It gives an outsized voice to the few who can afford high-priced lobbyists and unlimited campaign contributions, and it runs the risk of selling out our democracy to the highest bidder. (Applause.) It leaves everyone else rightly suspicious that the system in Washington is rigged against them, that our elected representatives aren’t looking out for the interests of most Americans.”
SAME DAY: Interview with AQHA President Peter J Cofrancesco III, 12/6/2011:
“Q: What is your response to Congress lifting the ban on horse slaughter?”
“A: AQHA and its Washington, D.C. based lobbyist worked with members of Congress to keep the rider that prohibited USDA inspection of horsemeat from making it into the Agriculture Appropriations Bill…”
Poll after multiple poll clearly demonstrates that MOST AMERICANS – the MAJORITY – some 70+% – don’t want horse slaughter to return to the US, don’t want their tax dollars to support a heinous, predatory, cruel industry. The House heard “We the People-Majority”, had voted to maintain the Moran Amendment, which provided the language for “defunding USDA inspections of horse slaughter for human consumption.”
Yet behind closed doors, three members of the Agr-Appro Bill Reconcilliation Sub-committees members, Rep. Jack Kingston(R-GA), Senator Herb Kohl(D-WI), and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) effectively stripped the Moran Amendment from the Agri-Appropriations bill.
These three men, with clear conflicts of interest, in a slick, underhanded action, IGNORED “We the People, the Majority.”
These three men, “the few [sold] out our democracy to the highest bidder.”
The Horse slaughter issue is the tip of one of many dangerous icebergs going on in our government – Horse slaughter, as a recourse for so-called “unintended consequences” for the 1% of so called “unwanted” horses, is a lie and a smoke-screen to fool the general public.
How can one tell an honest and righteous legislator from a crooked, self-serving one? One hears only the clink of money and the lobbyists’ siren song – the other stands up for the defenseless and is a voice for the voiceless. One is short-sighted and arrogant – the other is a visionary and compassionate.
Thank you, Sam Farr, Jim Moran and all the other co-sponsors working to ban horse slaughter in our US – for keeping the faith in American ideals…for being a real leader who can’t and won’t be sold to the highest or loudest bidder !!!
rolene
December 8, 2011 at 10:24 pm
there is going to be a GIANT MASSACRE of the horse. Enormous blood shed becuse of 3 people. GREED how can they look at there self. There not human, ice in there veins. The President has the power to stop it.
God Please help the horse.
Wonder if Kingston, Kohl and Blunt are going to see WAR HORSE ON Christmas Day?
Shirley Smith
December 8, 2011 at 9:19 pm
No to opening horse slaughter plants in the USA, it is inhumane and cruel, horses are flight animals and are scared of everything until they trust you, can you imagine how scared to death they are out of their comfort zone. Americans don’t eat horse meat and our horses don’t deserve to die for anyone else, they can kill their own horses and eat them. To Americans they are pets, friends companions and maybe we can get it changed as so instead of agriculture!! We need to stop the war on horses, they deserve a life not be dinner for someone. They used to be our only way to travel until the car took over, don’t forget that!!! NO TO HORSE SLAUGHTER. NEVER EVER!!!!!
Joy Neverla
December 8, 2011 at 7:16 pm
(NOTE – Use this link to the Forbes article:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/vickeryeckhoff/2011/12/06/horse-slaughterhouse-investigation-sounds-food-safety-and-cruelty-alarms/
Jerry)
The link you had for the slaughter house designed by Dr. Grandin no longer works. I find that happens often. Conspericy theory of not, sometimes I wonder why when there is visible proof, it suddenly disapears. I wanted to send it to my “horse loving” friends on facebook. Somehow we have to get the message out that it is not humane. Boy, do we have a up-hill battle when even horse people believe the lies.
Nina Buckler Eckhoff
December 8, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Just google Canadian Horse Defence Coalition – they are the source of the undercover video you disccussed. There are plenty of other videos available – if there are any doubters left out there. Photo Journey
http://www.youtube.com
Footage captured on July 13 & 14, 2011 at Les Viandes de la Petite-Nation in St. Andre-Avellin, Quebec. This is the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition’s 4th in…
http://animalstudies.msu.edu/Slaughterhouses_and_Increased_Crime_Rates.pdf
animalstudies.msu.edu
Pressure Increasing on Congress to Ban Slaughter as Powerful Organizations Back AHSPA | Horse Back M
horsebackm
http://alexndp.ca/files/2011/12/ndp-calls-on-government-to-shut-down-horse-slaughter-industry/
FOIA Request Uncovers Unprecedented Evidence Horse Slaughter is Inhumane
http://www.prweb.com
KA Schaaf(kasohio)
December 8, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I wasn’t sure where to post this comment, so I am starting here. I was out in the barn cleaning and thinking. I do my best thinking in the barn, I have a white-board out there just so I can jot down my ideas, inventions, goals and whatever thoughts I have that need writing down.
Proponents of horse slaughter say its for the benefit of the horses.
Death by slaughter is better than starvation and neglect.
There is a market in the US for horsemeat, why waste it?
What will become of the 100,000+ “excess” horses in the USA nobody wants?
IF humanitarian reasons are the main reasons for slaughter, remember its for their own good…
Why do decent people (those that have the stomach for it) who go to auctions, why should they have to compete with kill-buyers? Wouldn’t the best thing, the most humane thing, for the horses be to be purchased by folks who want to take them home? People who want to give that Thoroughbred with the incredible pedigree (or not) a second career in a show ring or on the trail? Quarter-horses that did not fit the specs, Paints that are not the right colours, Walkers that do not have enough action, these horses are someone’s treasure. Why should girls and boys (and grown-ups, too) who may have desperately saved for years, be forced to bid against a killer?
These bidders, the prospective horse owners, the wannabes, these folks do not stand a chance against killers with deeper pockets! I myself have been to ONE auction, at that time I still wondered what happened to all the “other” horses. I know now, but it makes wonder how many others are uneducated and are out there at auctions, having picnics and looking at all the pretty horses?
The humane way to save the thousands of “unwanted horses” in this country, is to get as many as possible into loving homes, not into grocery stores over-seas.
This scenario is the newest in my arsenal against the war on horse slaughter. Its hard to argue or reason with ignorance and those that think you have to be cruel to be kind, are just that. Ignorant.
Nina Buckler Eckhoff
December 8, 2011 at 9:15 pm
turn it around – get the the front end of the problem – the breeders who produce foals en masse with the hopes of producing a champion… the owners who discard horses for whatever reason. Geld. Institute fees for live foals. Create mandatory retirement account for racehorses. Come down hard on backyard breeders. 70% of horses that go to slaughter are AQHA, 16% are Thoroughbreds and 14% are Other. With approx 110,000 going to slaughter the past few years, that is over 70,000 Quarter Horses going to slaughter yearly. SOMEONE is breeding these animals and then throwing them away. That should be illegal.
Nancy Lee
December 8, 2011 at 4:44 pm
This is one of the best pieces I’ve read on the topic of horse slaughter, EVER. The only way we’ll make a difference is with money and votes. Politicians want to stay in office. That’s why they’re money-hungry. Business people are just… money-hungry. If we could clean up campaign financing and ban lobbyists, remove business interests from government, our path would be simple. The citizenry would have a chance to be heard when it says “we don’t slaughter American horses”.
Since that’s not likely to happen soon, we need to figure out how to take the money out of the slaughter market and make the politicians aware that supporting slaughter means political death. Supporting slaughter should mean getting laughed out of office or hauled off in handcuffs.
There have got to be ways. Human slavery was once called a property right, and now it’s gone. We no longer have child labor in the U.S. (that is, unless Newt brings it back) and laws now protect domestic animals from cruel abuse. There are ways to effect just social change in spite of business interests using money to influence government. We will figure this out.
Barb3000
December 8, 2011 at 12:46 am
I checked yesterday and there is 119 members of the House that cosponsored H.R. 2966 and 25 in the senate that cosponsored S.1176 the same ones it started out with. But I don’t bother to waste my time faxing anymore. I have sent hundreds of faxes the past few years to no avail. All I have ever got back from sending emails to the senators/rep is a canned letter. I hate to say this but the post cards won’t do any good either. At first I thought they might make a difference but after thinking it over it won’t. Calling won’t either. The messages to the White House will all be dumped in the trash. If we were wealthy and could hire a lobbying firm we might make some progress or sue the government it might make a dent. It might could be stopped in each state that tries to build a slaughter plant that would be my only hope. But there are politicians in Canada that are working toward passing a bill to shut the plants down there because of all the corruption about the paperwork that has to accompany any horse going to slaughter, because of the Vet drugs in the meat. If that could be done that would stop the plants ever going up here and Mexico too because there would be no market for the meat anywhere.
Belinda Caron
December 7, 2011 at 4:58 pm
Excellent post.Thank you again.Today when i made my second call of the day, the presidential hot line answered right away.It was a nice surprize !!! We will do what ever we can to end horse slaughter,we will do our part. For the enemy,those that cast away behind there backs with contempt the truth,the video will not haunt them.They have the penalty of ignominy – those are they whose hearts,ears and eyes God has seeled up,and they take no heed.We can repel this evil with that which is best, and PERSERVERANCE.
Bunny
December 7, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Thank you Jerry for being so passionate, diligent and informative. I’m spreading the word to everyone I know and my Facebook friends who are mostly liberal. I’m so disappointed in them that they are not more furious about this. It dose not matter what side of the fence you are on this is an outrage. It is though they don’t want any negative attention directed to their president. They are more interested in the gay penguins being separated. I will continue to call and sign petitions.
Bunny
Sue
December 7, 2011 at 4:32 pm
I am frustrated and in tears with hopelessness about horse slaughter. I have done a little, saved two horses that may have been sent, bought a piece of property and am very happy and content with them. I wish I could do more.
missredreflection
December 7, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Looks like we only have 10 more days to work for the Executive Order!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2069471/President-Obama-jet-Hawaii-SEVENTEEN-DAY-Christmas-holiday.html
Eddie
December 7, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I knew it was a waste of time to send an email to the white house, but I reworded you letter and sent it anyway. I received a typical bland form letter thanking me for being for or against the president. I always knew it is about money in Washington. I knew a farmer that spent a small fortune to haul his tractor up there years ago to ride around. He told me when he returned that he didnt think he accomplished anything, just spent a ot of money.
One good thing is that all of those politicians will have to answer for how they are cheating the American public. I dont think there is one of them that would listen without money in their hand.
rb
December 7, 2011 at 2:42 pm
i have no respect for any way of killing horses who so boldly brough man kind threw wars died in battle carried things man couldn,t have done without them, learn too eat more grains, we put all kinds off chemicals in there meat , next you,ll be thinging way don,t we eat the poor people around the world our goverment says there are to many people on this planet, anyone who helps or plays a role Jesus Christ will make each and every person pay when Jesus Judges all of us, RB
Ann Raeside
December 7, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Thank you Jerry, may your voice and all of ours be heard! I talk to anyone I can about this. I had someone ask me the other day, it is not humane? I said are you kidding me and told them what I know! I told her I have images and stories burned into my mind that I will never be able to get rid of. She said, but people will just starve them if this is not an option. I told her if someone cannot take care of their animals there is euthansia and if not going to the pasture and shooting them would be more humane. People want to live in some dream world, this is happening and it is horrific. We as humans do not have a right to do this or any other abuse. I pray that this will end. We have a “surplus” of dogs and cats too. Other countries eat those animals, why are there no slaughter houses for them. Oh yeah, people might get upset about that. You keep on keeping on Jerry because you are SO right about this!
Joy Neverla
December 8, 2011 at 7:20 pm
Ann, may I quote you on facebook? I will leave out your name. The second sentence to the second to last sentence. I will say it is a quote. I want people to know I am not just a lone fanatic. I keep getting this: it is better than starvation….like there is two choices, starvation or slaughter. You said it so well. If you say no, I will understand.
Ann Raeside
December 8, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Oh heck yeah you can quote me Joy! I could care less if you use my name too. I am so tired of people burying their heads in the sand and acting like this is a good thing. I tell people if you think horse slaughter is such a good thing you should go work in a slaughter house. People do not want to take responsibility for anything anymore. I am again haunted by what Jerry tells us about the horse in his story above. I cannot get it out of my mind. It makes me ashamed to be a human
knowing that my own kind can do such a thing. Quote away! : )
Ann Raeside
December 8, 2011 at 8:45 pm
Joy, I also ask people who think this is a good idea if they have educated themselves about this subject. I find the answer to that question is ALWAYS no. I then encourage them to educate themselves about it. They never seem to want to do that.
The FACT is NOT the FANTASY.
Margaret
December 7, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Jerry I called him on it in my postcards. I told him he lied when he signed HR503.
“You lied when you promised to protect the horses. You signed HR503. This was to prevent the sale and transport of horses for human consumption.
Now every single horse in this country is at risk of going to slaughter because you signed that stupid bill.
Why did you cower to a FEW politicians WHO DON’T SPEAK FOR MAINSTREAM AMERICA?
You need to find a way to undo the damage you’ve done. Admit to a brain fart. A brain fart is far more forgivable than ignoring the horses which to date is EXACTLY what your administration has done.
Jade
December 7, 2011 at 1:19 pm
As always, eloquently stated. Thank you again for putting a FACE on this issue. Blessed Be!