Nathan Winograd has a couple of good posts up about the meeting of the 'pit bull' profiteers in Las Vegas.
I know that nobody is surprised that the HSUS continues to exhibit what amounts to a corporate sociopathy or by the fact that no progress was made.
The burning question isn't whether 'pit bulls' are just dogs (they are), whether fighting dogs are a product of their environment (they are), whether any thinking human would agree that dogs shouldn't die for our sins (they would) or whether the HSUS will veer away from its set course of animal liberation (it won't - at least not until the current BOD is booted out and some truly humane leaders are voted in).
No, to me, the most important question is this:
What makes these people think that they have the right to speak for 'pit bulls', dogs in general, 'bust dogs' (as they call them) or for all of us who are out here in the frontlines - in rescue, in the courts, and on the streets?
I deeply resent the intrusive, self-serving, double-dealing campaign by the HSUS to legislate pet breeding and ownership into oblivion while crying crocodile tears for dogs, cats, horses and chickens.
I'm insulted by the unending stream of contradictory, duplicitous and illogical statements that wouldn't fool a first-grader.
I am galled by their hubris in implying to the rubes ithat they are a government-sanctioned agency - worse, a law enforcement group - rather than a private special interest lobbying outfit which does not represent mainstream views.
Their arrogance in presuming to 'negotiate' repulsive ideas such as breed (ha ha) bans 'down' to breed-specific mandatory neutering (Louisville) and then say it's somehow better than a ban - would be hilarious were it not so deadly to dogs.
Most of all, I get really, really, really pissed off by all these people who make money and promote themselves on the backs of 'pit bulls' - be they incompetent politicians like Old Nanny McGuinty in Ontario, cheese-ass journalists who need a hook because they're too lazy or hung over to write an actual story, rescue groups who post all kinds of nonsense about how weird 'pit bulls' are on their websites, hysterics who get information from personal injury lawyers and white-hooders so they can get a hate on and all the rest of them - fooling themselves into believing that people like me give a damn about what they think or say.
If I want an opinion about 'pit bulls', I'll ask a 'pit bull'. At least they aren't in it for the money. Sometimes I think they're the only ones who aren't.
I know that nobody is surprised that the HSUS continues to exhibit what amounts to a corporate sociopathy or by the fact that no progress was made.
The burning question isn't whether 'pit bulls' are just dogs (they are), whether fighting dogs are a product of their environment (they are), whether any thinking human would agree that dogs shouldn't die for our sins (they would) or whether the HSUS will veer away from its set course of animal liberation (it won't - at least not until the current BOD is booted out and some truly humane leaders are voted in).
No, to me, the most important question is this:
What makes these people think that they have the right to speak for 'pit bulls', dogs in general, 'bust dogs' (as they call them) or for all of us who are out here in the frontlines - in rescue, in the courts, and on the streets?
I deeply resent the intrusive, self-serving, double-dealing campaign by the HSUS to legislate pet breeding and ownership into oblivion while crying crocodile tears for dogs, cats, horses and chickens.
I'm insulted by the unending stream of contradictory, duplicitous and illogical statements that wouldn't fool a first-grader.
I am galled by their hubris in implying to the rubes ithat they are a government-sanctioned agency - worse, a law enforcement group - rather than a private special interest lobbying outfit which does not represent mainstream views.
Their arrogance in presuming to 'negotiate' repulsive ideas such as breed (ha ha) bans 'down' to breed-specific mandatory neutering (Louisville) and then say it's somehow better than a ban - would be hilarious were it not so deadly to dogs.
Most of all, I get really, really, really pissed off by all these people who make money and promote themselves on the backs of 'pit bulls' - be they incompetent politicians like Old Nanny McGuinty in Ontario, cheese-ass journalists who need a hook because they're too lazy or hung over to write an actual story, rescue groups who post all kinds of nonsense about how weird 'pit bulls' are on their websites, hysterics who get information from personal injury lawyers and white-hooders so they can get a hate on and all the rest of them - fooling themselves into believing that people like me give a damn about what they think or say.
If I want an opinion about 'pit bulls', I'll ask a 'pit bull'. At least they aren't in it for the money. Sometimes I think they're the only ones who aren't.
One of the participants in the LV meeting helped "negotiate" the recent California MSN for pit bulls... their excuse was that its so much better than total BSL. Of course they regularly bash "breeders" as well, so you have to wonder what THEIR agenda is.
EmilyS
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
I know. Exactly.
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Watch out - you might incite a virtual riot. Actually - sign me up!
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
If you believe HSUS is engaging in excessive lobbying, complain to the IRS. Charities (IRC 501(c)(3)), such as HSUS, are not allowed to do substantial amounts of lobbying. http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=139029,00.html. The online form has a box "excessive lobbying." HSUS EIN (taxpayer number): 53-0225390
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Just was forwarded this petition
--Pass along!
This is a petition to remove the tax free status of HSUS.
http://www.petitiononline.com/4377qba1/
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Ahem.
http://www.petitiononline.com/4377qba1/
While online petitions are basically useless, Ill sign this one just for giggles.
And thanks for the IRS info a couple of comments above.
Posted by: unknown | Apr 08, 2009 at 08:00 PM
They are useless as far as their stated purpose, but can be a good conversation starter for Joe or Jane Public who may not even be aware that there is a controversy.
Plus that little bit of silly satisfaction in signing it. :)
The IRS stuff was not mine but interesting.
Posted by: unknown | Apr 09, 2009 at 08:00 PM
HSUS employee Desiree Bender is currently working to get mandatory s/n (and other BSL) in Indianapolis. With the blessing of HSUS, she is working with a politico that wants pb dogs to be s/n, chipped. registered, a sign posted at their home, photo on file and 1 million in liability. Not making this up, have all the docs to prove it. In fact, several of the upper tier at HSUS knows about Benders activities and they are condoning it. Bender tried to do the same thing in NJ a few years back...sounds like Denvers Kory Nelson. Bender is the state rep for Arkansas where she successfully lobbied against the dogs for mandatory s/n. Politico, Mike Speedy, just announced that Bender will be going to Indianpolis, as a rep of HSUS, to testify on behalf of the BSL. NOTE: There is no support for this BSL in Indianapolis. Even the guys own party wrote him off as rogue for continuing his push yet HSUS is still fueling his cause and giving it cred by lending their name. Bender is saying it is for the good of the dogs but since she has been working with him the language in the BSL is getting worse and worse for the dogs. With friends like this... Caveat, you can contact me at [email protected]
Posted by: unknown | Apr 10, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Do I believe this change of heart on the part of H$U$?
Is that a pig I see flying by my window?
Posted by: unknown | Apr 12, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Spot on...who the fuck gave H$U$ the right to speak for any of us/our pets? Its time to take it back...I think its time for the big orgs to quit acting like they are relavent by even consulting them. They need to fall in line or meet their demise...Im past done with them, I vote for option #2
Posted by: unknown | Apr 19, 2009 at 08:00 PM
Excellent point! What does make HSUS the expert on dogs and breeding? The answer is they are not! The only things they are experts with is posting vegan recipes on their web site and enjoying outlandish staff salaries! The IRS and the FBI need to shut down this animal terrorist group!
Posted by: unknown | May 15, 2009 at 08:00 PM