I have hesitated to post about this topic, because there are so many other more important topics out there and while this is VERY important to me, I understand that it might not be so important to others.
Last week I found out that Humane USA PAC issued it's endorsement of John Kerry for President:
http://www.humaneusa.org/article.asp?article_key=109&n=1
And while the first part of their press release discusses their disappointment with Bush's support of the hunting industry, later in the release it goes far beyond that.
It's been known for some time that the Bush Administration has turned the USDA over to the meat industry and now the fox literally runs the henhouse. Nothing offends me more and it turns my stomach to think that animals are forced to live their short lives in inhumane conditions and then taken to slaughter where they are butchered without regard to federally mandated guidelines for humane treatment. It doesn't take a lot of reading to find out about animals slaughtered while still conscious or downed animals being dragged across killing floors to their deaths (halted in the immediate aftermath of the Mad Cow scare, but now agribusiness wants the ban lifted).
I have been working with a growing grassroots movement to try and get HR 857 passed into law...that is the law that would outlaw horse slaughter for human consumption. There is a lot of information out on the web regarding this issue, so I won't waste space here recounting it. One good website to visit if you are interested is:
http://www.habitatforhorses.org/
The bill (and a sister bill in the Senate) has overwhelming support from over 220 representatives and would most assuredly pass if let out of committee. But Bob Goodlatte, (R) Virginia, will not let it out of the Agricultural Committee for a floor vote. It is rumored that he is being unduly influenced by the meat industry. Currently there is a move afoot to label the horse as a food animal and force all horse owners to take part in a national id campaign. Why? Because agribusiness is worried that Mad Cow could seriously threaten their businesses. This would be a hedge.
There are so many issues regarding the subject of animal welfare that I could write way too much...and I am not an expert by any means. In fact, I hope some of you out there have more to offer in terms of information, etc. I hope to find out more from the rest of you.
The issue of humane treatment of animals cuts across party lines. Republicans as well as Democrats work very hard to ensure that animals are not treated cruelly. That's probably the biggest reason I haven't brought this issue to Daily Kos until now. But with Humane USA PAC's strong words against the Bush administration, I thought now would be a good time to bring it up. Plus, I was jazzed to see what a "stud" JFK is for the animals!