| THANK YOU! Thank You!
thank you! |
| It has been a busy couple of weeks! Our efforts are paying off, and we couldn't be more pleased with the enthusiastic support in response to a petition to Congress and the Obama Administration; to a survey about people's cultural attitudes towards horse meat; and to the dedicated efforts of a few, and their round of phone calls and resulting dollars which have allowed us to start a political action fund; and most of all to the people who have worked tirelessly to contact their legislators, and testify at hearings, and make phone calls and emails!
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NEWS FLASH! State Legislators Pass Pro-Horse Industry Bills in Three More States
Bills are sitting on the Desks of Montana Governor, Brian Schweitzer, North Dakota Governor, John Hoeven, and Arkansas Governor, Mike Beebe and all are expected to take action on these bills in the next week to ten days. CONTACT THEM TODAY!
(contact us if you need help to figure out how)
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At last count, there were 22 states that either have legislation supporting the horse industry passed, introduced, or in preparation--all in less than one year's time! The rest of the Nation is beginning to realize what a disaster eliminating a viable market, and options for horse owners is--and are seeing the horrific unintended consequences when an entire segment of animal agriculture is rendered worthless. But, we need to do more, and we need to talk to more people, and be more active at the local, state, and federal levels to counteract the well financed and well organized animal rights organizations, and well meaning, but misinformed horse lovers who are easily swayed by their emotionally driven and manipulative rhetoric.
That is what the Political Action Fund is all about. It will be used very frugally, and very strategically to send speakers, experts, and concerned horse owners to places where they can communicate a common sense approach to policy makers. We will never match the hundreds of millions of dollars that HSUS/PETA raise and spend every year. But, we have the dedication and drive to make a little bit go a long, long ways.
Right now we are trying to raise a mere $10,000 to help defray expenses to some very important opportunities. With only a handful of people making a concerted effort in a couple of days we have $900 to start our Fund, and the promise of more on the way. We have just set up an easy way for anybody to contribute online, and ask humblely for you to put your hard-earned dollars in a place where they can do some real good. The only thing greater than our need for your generous contribution, is our gratitude for your generosity!
If we can raise another $1,500 in the next 48 hours we can take advantage of some tremendous opportunities to make a real difference in states like Illinois, Indiana, South Carolina, and Missouri--and of course, Washington, D.C.--call Sue Wallis, 307-685-8248, for details about what we are doing, and how you can help! |
Preliminary Survey Report
where we survey cultural attitudes about horse meat |
Less than a week ago we went live with an online survey that was designed to gauge the cultural attitudes that people have towards eating horse meat, and towards the idea of others eating horse meat. It was purposely designed to be a direct counterpoint to the very slanted, one-sided, and manipulated broadcasts and surveys that have been put out for years by the animal rights organizations, and others who seek a complete and total ban on the legal transport or processing of horses.
We learned a few things. For the most part, the people who took the time to complete the survey were thoughtful and truthful about their attitudes. Part of it is not surprising--we all know that there are some people who just cannot, under any circumstances, contemplate the idea of eating horse meat--but there are far fewer of those than expected.
Many people have eaten horse meat while overseas, and some remembered their families eating horsemeat during and after World War II. Some talked about the horse sausages that are part of their cultural tradition. A common sentiment was that they personally would not eat horsemeat, but that they were not at all bothered by the fact that other people do. All in all, the vast majority of our admittedly biased email list were either neutral, interested, or very interested in the opportunity to eat horsemeat if it was available.
The one point that we have certainly established without question is that the proponents of banning the processing or transporting of horses statements that "No Americans eat horses" is absolutely, unequivocally, not true!
When asked the question, "Legislation has been introduced in the US Congress that would make it a felony for anyone to use a horse for food, or to transport a horse with the intention that it be used for human consumption. Do you believe this legislation should pass?" only 2% answered that it should. For both of the questions, "Do you believe that you have the right to enforce your cultural attitudes towards food animals on others?" and "In a global environment where Americans are increasingly viewed as arrogant and culturally insensitive, do you think it is wise to criminalize a food that most of the world views as a traditional culinary favorite?" more than 75% answered a resounding, NO!"
If you have not had a chance to complete the survey, and would like to, here is a direct link.
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Sign the Petition & Keep it Going! Support the Rights & Options of Horse Owners! |
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About two weeks ago we started a petition to oppose any legislation that would take away the private property rights of horse owners. The system we use allows responders to send a personalized message to their Congressional representatives and the Obama Administration. Already thousands of emails and letters have been sent, and the comments have been very enlightening! People are extremely concerned about the federal legislation that has been introduced--H.R. 503 and S. 727--and are very vocal in their opposition. We will make sure that every Representative and Senator in Congress sees the petition, and the comments that many of you made to your personal representatives.
The response so far has been tremendous, but we still need MORE!
Remember that the proponents of animal rights and a total ban on horse slaughter are very well organized, well financed, and have been working for years. We are coordinating our opposition on a shoe string, but if there was ever a grass roots effort to support, this is it!
Everyone in animal agriculture realizes that if radical animal rights organizations can successfully limit the rights of horse owners...then there really is no difference between that and limiting the rights of agriculturists and consumers in the use of any food animal. If you haven't already done so, PLEASE sign the petition and send a personal message to your representatives in Washington, DC.
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| If you are on Facebook, become a supporter of our cause, and network with horse people and concerned citizens from all over the country!
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Thank you for doing your part to support our traditional use of all animals, and for the rights and options of horse owners!
Please forward this to everyone you know who will join the fight to fend off the attacks of animal rights fanatics, and help us educate the well-meaning, but misinformed horse owners and animal lovers who still don't understand what a loss of legal options will do to the welfare of all horses.
Sincerely,
Sue Wallis
United Horsemens Front | |
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