only wants to talk about horse abuse.

Yeah, Prior to 2008 NEAPFD we were approached by a local chapter of an animal rights group offended by our display of people forceably enslaving animals to perform menial physical tasks.

While I absolutely agree that animals can be neglected and abused for foolish human discretion, the argument can not be applied to all such human/animal relationships.

The reality is lost on them, that their generalization is supported from the comfortable position of a global petroleum-based economy, and that when we extend the same outrage that they express into other sectors of ecology, or even human culture, the solution involves the dissolution of that very structure that insulates them from the realities of humane human/animal relationships.

The trick is not to fall into a discussion with them, because their tactics, although they proclaim not to be confrontational, are all about trying to develop conflict directed at them, bolstering their position through sympathy.

Carl

Out West here, there’s been more than one attempt by lawmakers to declare PETA a terrorist orginization –> some evidence leads to the belief that they are still associated with, and a conduit of funds for, ecoterrorist groups such as ELF & ALF. I know that it’s very hard to inform people about USHS… everyone believes that the local humane society is the same thing – sometimes, sometimes not – and that they just want to save the little puppies & kitties. I’d just tend to ignore them, but we don’t dare to, if we want to keep on doing what we do.

Last Memorial day hubby and I hooked the mare to a VERY light wagon, and headed off to the local produce stand for strawberries. We were feeling great, flag flying, mare trotting with ears up. A passing motorist rolled down his window and screamed “Animal Cruelty!” It upset me so much, and got me to thinking that we really need to push our own education in the public view, before we are cornered to only work behind fences, away from public scorn. Any chance I get, I share the draft horse experience with others. We can’t let them get ahead of us!

Cherprit ~ I agree, we need to makes efforts to counter these people… so, let’s talk “How?” –> for one, when I get this donkey trained up to drive, I’ll do w/ him as I used to w/ Elvis (although he was only a pack/ride animal): I took many of my veggies & assorted items in a pack on Elvis, to the local domestic violence shelter. Always made a point of letting people know the efforts Elvis made in the garden. He enjoyed the attention of them kids (and not a few adults!), the women’s spirits were lightened for a moment or two (hey – if you put laughter in their child’s voice, you put a smile in the mother’s heart), and maybe a few went away with the idea of the value of a good work animal. I’m really looking forward to Dragon’s debut w/ a wagon!! This is just one example of how we can make an impact AND positive opinions of our neighbor in the community. ‘Cuz just how far do you think PETA will get w/ them ladies & kids, now, huh? 😀
So, how about it? Anyone else have ideas?

Oh what people don’t know about animals… it amazes me sometimes!

I’ve had neighbors call the police because all my horses were laying down out in the pasture one day…..they apparently looked quite ill.

Even tonight on my way out of the door at work, one of my colleagues asked me if I was gonna bring my horses into the barn tonight for the cold spell. When I said, ‘nope, no need’, she looked horrified.

I know most people have the best of intentions and most even are pleasantly surprised when I explain to them why a horse does so well in the cold and why shutting them in a barn is counter productive. They simply don’t know…

But PETA…..well, even before my horse days back in college, I knew they were all about publicity and ‘shock value’, not about education….in fact I happily don’t personally know anyone who takes them seriously:D.

I’ve got a website for y’all that is some what equally sensational as most of the older PETA campaigns used to be (before they began funding domestic terrorists):

http://www.PETAkillsanimals.com

Studying PETA’s history will show an organization that started going some honest good work and then went completely off the wall. The current president has every intention of getting rid of every single pet and livestock animal in the world. Aparently we’re all going to end up eating dirt, mean while we’ll be the animal kindoms servants, fluffing the pillows for all the hippos on the Nile.

Reality and logic plays no part in there agenda.

I wish they’d stick to screwing over huge slaughter houses.

Hey Erik, I’m not sure what I just watched. I don’t get exposed to TV enough these days to know much about the Onion. Was that whole thing a spoof, or did they just have on that serious guy and spoof him hard? Man the looks on that woman’s face!!! And to follow up that interview with recipes to Americanize your Tacos. Absolutely nuts. I had to laugh.

Although I have no tolerance for neglect and abuse of any animals, I’ve got to say that when we start getting PSA’s on the radio letting us know that when it’s 20 below, NO animals should be outdoors, I wonder where that is coming from, and do they really mean NO animals, or are they just reminding cat and dog owners that their pet is freezing to the porch steps?
With so many people generations, and miles, away from farms, those kinds of statements only serve to dumb down the public even more.

Carl