Please, use a little common sense and not just misplaced emotions.

Cuts of horsemeat are displayed in a shop window at the horse butchery near Paris.REUTERS

WASHINGTON –  The slaughter of horses for human consumption could legally resume in the United States as early as this week following a decision by a New Mexico judge who dismissed a push by animal rights groups to stop the practice. (It should never have stopped)

U.S. District Judge Christina Armijo in New Mexico threw out a lawsuit Friday by The Humane Society of the United States (This is a name only, they do much more harm than good but that is another story) and other animal protection groups that alleged the Department of Agriculture failed to conduct environmental studies when it issued permits to Valley Meat Co. in Roswell, N.M., and an Iowa company to slaughter horses for human consumption.

It was a last-ditch effort that failed for animal rights groups. Instead, the court’s ruling ends – for now at least - a two-year battle by Valley Meat to open its slaughterhouse.

The practice of slaughtering horses for human consumption was legal and fairly common in the United States for many years.(yes, and fed to our military also!) 

In 2005, Congress voted to withhold funding for USDA inspections of horsemeat. It was a way to stop the slaughters because meat for human consumption at the time had to be inspected. (This was a vote based on emotion and not what was good for the horses, or for the horse industry as a whole. It was a vote to appease city folks that have no idea about the reality of owning and caring for animals.)

However, the USDA gave the OK for slaughterhouses to pay for their own inspections. Congress voted to end the practice in 2007.  (While all other inspections are subsidized)

The measure to stop the slaughters lapsed in 2011 and now U.S. companies are clamoring to get back into the game. (Because of the outcry from horse owners that want a fair and humane means to dispose of unwanted animals. This is a reality, not something that you wish on old trigger but a reality born from the day of birth.)

Across the country, businesses have been applying for permits with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They want to ship horsemeat to countries where it is eaten by humans or used as animal feed. (This should never have been stopped. I have eaten horse meat in Italy and it is very tasty besides being very healthy! I would buy it here in America if it was offered)

Retail purchase of horsemeat for human consumption in the U.S. is not yet approved but the possibility could be coming. 

In a statement following Friday’s dismissal, The Humane Society pledged that it would “not only appeal the decision, but also work with the states to block the plants from opening in Iowa, Missouri and New Mexico and step up its efforts in Congress to stop the slaughter of American horses.” (I know this is their right, but their disinformation and out right lies are a form of environmental terrorism)

"With today's court ruling and the very real prospect of plants resuming barbaric killing of horses for their meat in the states, we expect the American public to recognize the urgency of the situation and to demand that Congress take action," Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle said in a statement. (His statement proves his ignorance. Horses right now are being shipped unnecessary miles across USA borders to be killed in plants in other country's.  Horses have been turned lose to die of starvation on our forest and BLM grounds. Indian reservations are flooded with these horses and they die a horrible death at the hands of the wild stallion) "Court fights and state legislative battles have been important, but this is an issue of national importance and scale, and Congress should have an up-or-down vote on the subject." (Yes, and they should uphold the right of animal owners)

The idea of killing horses for food has triggered strong reaction among people on both sides of the issue.

Several animal rights organizations have linked legalizing the practice to horrific abuses and animal cruelty that they claim could lead to unsafe meat. (Yep, they try to scare those who have no idea of the truth)  They call the slaughters themselves a “brutal and terrifying end for horses.” (Sorry but in 99% of all cases, this is the best and most humane way to end their life. Old horses need to be used for dog food and younger ones that are dangerous should be fattened and use for human consumption. That is the truth, no spin)

“Horses are shipped for more than 24 hours at a time without food, water or rest in crowded trucks,” the Humane Society says. “They are often seriously injured or killed in transit.” (Yes it happens and the longer they have to travel to a plant, the higher the risk! Each owner should have a plant that is within a short drive)

Once at the slaughterhouse, the horses are stunned, the Humane Society claims, adding that because they are skittish animals by nature, the horses often “endure repeated blows and sometimes remain conscious during dismemberment.” (In Mexico we have no idea and no control over their kill methods. This is why we need plants here in the USA where we can control and ensure that horse are put down in the quickest and surest method available.)

Supporters, though, say that claims of cruelty are overblown and that while there is some risk in transporting any animal to slaughter, it is not a common occurrence.  (True, its simple, to the hauler and plant it is business and losing animals means losing profit.) 

Supporters also say that horse slaughtering facilities in the U.S. will provide a humane alternative for aging, starving or abandoned horses by owners who can no longer afford to take care of them. (This is just a fact. Does not matter if it offends you or not, this is a FACT!)

A 2011 report from the federal Government Accountability Office that shows horse abuse and abandonment have been increasing since Congress effectively banned horse slaughter by cutting funding for federal inspection programs in 2007. They say the ban on domestic slaughter has led to tens of thousands of horses being shipped to inhumane slaughterhouses in Mexico. (Again, a fact that backs up my view. I do not wish to seem callous in anyway but meat plants in the USA are the very best way we have to take care of our older or unwanted horses. Keeping them alive in a government support pen until they get injured and die is not a humane living for an animal I love. Put them down quickly)

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 166,000 horses were sent to Canada and Mexico last year for slaughter. (Fact, so what has the Humane Society done with its efforts? They have hurt our horses by causing them to travel farther and suffer because of no USA oversight) 

Supporters also take issue with the taboo of eating horsemeat and say the animal is consumed in countries all over the world and could be extremely profitable to American companies interested in the industry. They also argue that horses should be treated no differently than pigs, chickens and cows. (Sorry but this is true and a fact also. Ask any 4 H or FFA person, they grow, raise, care for and at times, love the animal that they raise for your dinner plate. Why would a horse be different from a pet rabbit or lamb?)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), China is one of the largest consumers of horsemeat. In France, the meat is considered to be a delicacy, sold in the same vein as veal in the U.S. (What they don't tell you is that none are raised for that purpose, not like cattle, sheep, chicken or pigs. They, just as we should...use animals that no longer have a use for anything else.)

About eight miles outside of Roswell, N.M., Valley Meat, a shuttered cattle farm is almost ready to reopen its doors.

Plant owner Rick De Los Santos and his attorney, Blair Dunn, told USA Today they were surprised when they ruling came down, hours after a temporary restraining order that barred the companies from opening in August had expired.

"If I were a betting man, I probably would have lost a lot of money on this," Dunn said. "I thought the court was headed in a different direction on this since she had issued the TRO. ... I am very, very happy to be wrong."

De Los Santos estimated it would be seven to 10 days before he was up and running.

Over in Gallatin, Mo., Rains Natural Meats could open as early as today.

Lets hope that we will again, have plants that we can control here in the USA.

I will add one more point and that is my freedom to eat what I wish. The USDA made it illegal to eat horse meat. I can eat snails, worms, bunny's  baby lambs, snakes, alligators and unborn chickens but not a horse? Come on, there is no common sense in this. If you don't want to eat horse meat then just don't buy it.   

Obama and his cronies are after your guns!

http://www.impeachobamacampaign.com/video-obama-trying-to-ban-semi-automatic-weapons/

Take this link if you value your freedom!

Obama’s War Continues as He Attacks Family Farms/Ranches

The Des Moines Star Register’s coverage featured some significant passages from the letter:

“After having additional time to review the Proposed Rule and compare the proposed changes to existing statutory law, regulations, and the Department’s existing interpretive documents, we believe initial concerns were well-founded. As a result of these concerns, we request the Department withdraw the Proposed Rule in its entirety,” the Senators state in a letter to Secretary Solis. “It is puzzling why the Department would suddenly propose changes to existing regulations, particularly considering the advancements in farm equipment and adoption of technologies that have improved operator safety in the last 35 years.” Not really, those are government employees and even they think they should do something for their paycheck. Sad thing is, their job is to increase the size and control of government over your lives by taking away your freedom over your own children.

The statement from the group said “until recently, farms jointly owned and operated by multiple family members had discretion over the responsibilities they gave their children on the farm. But the proposed rule change would do away with that freedom and extend the parental exemption to farms owned solely by a parent. It is common in rural America for siblings to jointly own and operate farms and for extended family and neighbors to participate in agriculture production. With this rule change, the government is proposing to tell farmers and ranchers: We know what’s best for your children, and what they should and should not be doing.” Hitler did the same thing. Read the history of how he came to power, the comparison with today's political climate will scare the hell out of you!

The note cited the fact that the Labor Secretary was using statistics from 13 years ago. This outdated information regarding accidents in rural settings was flawed and did not reflect the latest safety innovations that have come to the farming world.

Despite the 18,000 comments and Congressional opposition, the regulations appear to be moving ahead as Solis has planned. Local farm communities are quite concerned that this. Here is one of the dozens of local news stories highlighting the problems this will create: So, it does not matter what the people want...the only thing that matters is what the government (Obama) wants for the people.

Yesterday, Secretary Solis testified before a Senate Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, and Pensions. Ms. Solis’ comments on the restrictions on family farms were brief, only stating that her department was open to hearing comments on the new regulations.

It should also be noted that today is the anniversary of the death of State Farming in the former Soviet Union.

On this day back in 1989, the USSR’s Communist party leader Mikhail Gorbachev announced that Central Farming was not working. This was underscored by the fact that his country was forced to import tons of staples like wheat and meat. Mr. Gorbachev sounded like a Free Market Capitalist when he told the Soviets:

“The essence of economic change in the countryside should be in granting farmers broad opportunities for displaying independence, enterprise, and initiative.”

Farmers would be granted the opportunity to be independent, enterprising and succeed or fail based on their own initiative. An interesting concept. One that should be implemented across America!

Obama Attacks American Farm Families

Farm kids band from working

 The Obama department of labor is attacking the core of America, farm families!

AAmerica was built by farmers and their families. Farming/ranching skills and passions are still passed down to the younger generation. Farm kids are raised with a respect for animals that develops by farming/ranching cores they are required to do. They witness birth, they see death and understand that at times, life is not fair. They see crops come up from their care and labor. They also know  heartache, as they watch the destruction of a rain or hail storm just before harvest. They delight in seeing the new born calves, sheep or baby pigs running and playing together. They remember those cold days drying off a baby and making sure it has a start in life. They also remember the sun coming up only to reveal their pet cow having it’s baby eaten by a coyote as it was born or a pack of town dogs ripping the belles out of the sheep flock. They understand life and death. They understand life is not fair but with hard work, life has many rewards. Farm kids have a real understanding of the commitment it takes to produce a health living thing. A quality that should be held in the highest regard and promoted in a civil society. 

 All families should work together as a team and farm/ranch families do just this on a daily bases. Ranch kids help each day with the care of crops and animals. They understand that those living things depend on them, depend on those kids to perform their job duties. Farm kids feed and water livestock each day before school. They clean pens, they shovel crap and mud, they work in snow, freezing cold and scorching heat. They do this because it is their way of life, how they contribute. to the family and how they earn respect as an individual. Farm kids work alongside their mother and father in the fields and orchards from a very young age. They drive tractors when they can just hold down a clutch (yes, not very many automatic transmissions on farm equipment). They spend their summers working, shoveling, picking, hoeing weeds, driving, riding, branding and doctoring. They also find time to jump in the stream, river or irrigation ditch to cool off,swim and play a game of tag with other farm kids. Those children have grown to be some of the greatest leaders in our nation! A heritage and way of life we most protect!

Sadly, this life style is in stark contrast to the Obama family, currently occupying the white house.

But why are federal agencies, led by President Obama appointees, intent on taking steps that will undermine and ultimately destroy our nation's agricultural heartland, our families?

It's no secret that liberals hold fatty, high-carbohydrate dairy and corn products directly responsible for our nation's obesity rates (funny, don’t see over weight farm kids).  They blame farting cows for a depleted ozone layer and consider ranching as a form of animal abuse. PETA, the American Humane Society and other animal rights organization demonize our rural lifestyle as an uncaring barbaric form of environmental exploitation. The urban schools teach and promote this same misconception to the gullible “city dwellers”.  Yet the government's attack on farm/ranch families by effectively banning farm kids from working on their own farms goes beyond outrageous. The intent can only be viewed as a full frontal attack on America.

Under new standards being advocated by the Obama Labor Department, youths under the age of eighteen would be prohibited from working in hay lofts, giving shots, caring for baby animals, and being in the vicinity of animals whose behavior may be "unpredictable."  So, the federal government under the direction of Obama would destroy one of Americas greatest treasures, the farm/ranch family.

Ask yourself, why?

Does Obama think that the mother and father of those farm/ranch kids are incapable of caring for and protecting their own children? Does the government think it has the right to interfere in a family’s lifestyle? Is there a hidden place in the constitution that gives the government such a power?

Lose our farm families and where would your food come from? 
Where would urban people go to get food? Do they understand that food is raised/produced, and does not magically appear on the super market shelves?

Or, does the government want to totally control the food production and distribution? Thank about that one!

For me, I remember the old Hank Jr song, “a country boy can survive”

City Dwellers, beware of what you vote for in 2012!

If you would like to express your opinion at the Mad American Club, please add your comment below the blog post;

Thanks!

So God made a Farmer

How much different are farmers from those who occupy wall street?



This is how America was built, with men, women and families like these!

Horses under Attack in Oregon

All across the Nation animal rights activists are attacking the right to own and use livestock, dog and horses in a traditional manner. These Neo-Nazi  left wing crazies have no idea what is involved with the raising and caring of livestock and yet they are the very ones introducing legislation in this country that harm all kinds of animals!

They (the urban activists) are directly responsible for the slow, agonizing starvation of thousands of horses.

They are the reason 10s of thousands of beautiful horses are penned up in jail cells to live out their lives, un loved and un cared for until they die from the effects of old age and or injures suffered in such close confinement,  all at tax payer expense. They suffer because of laws passed by ideologue organizations with the support of feel good citizens that (misled with video clips or sound bites) lack knowledge of the reality.  These people must be stopped or made to suffer the same conditions their misguided ideas inflect on noble animals who deserve a much better life or at the very least, a useful and quick death. None of Gods animals should be forced to live angry unproductive lives.

These well intentioned but very naive city folk are trying to pass laws that have a huge impact beyond their original objective.

They purely lack the understanding and experience necessary to make informed and educated decisions. Problem is, they don’t seem to care about the impact as a whole of their agenda, they just wish to get behind a narrow minded idea that makes them feel good, like they are improving something’s life. I think this stems from the probability that they are miserable in their own life and wish that someone or something could make it better for them. As pathetic as that is, I do feel sorry for them. But in order to protect Animals, dogs and cats, cattle/horses and more, we must collectively stand up and defy their agenda!

PLEASE pay attention to your states laws and new laws as they pertain to citizens rights and animals. Government has failed to improve the lives and condition of citizens, (responsible citizens improve their own conditions and then others around them) why would we think new laws would do nothing more but cause suffering of animals?

Leave the care of and regulation of animals to those who depend on them as they do a member of their own family. There is no law that can improve on the care of any animal from owners/citizens that daily protect, care for and love them!

OCA and interested parties,

SB 613 is scheduled this week on Thursday 2-24-11 at 3:00 in Senate

Environment and Natural Resources.  This bill is on a fast track and now

includes an amendment that excludes from regulation any rodeo event

activities recognized as appropriate under Professional Rodeo Cowboys

Association rules, policies, or programs.  The amendment will not help the

smaller non-sanctioned rodeos.  The bill sponsor will not concede to

canceling the bill for a hearing.  So, we need some testimony for Thursday

from ranching and rodeo. Any phone calls or emails to the Committee members

urging them NOT to support this bill will also be very helpful. 

Comments can be sent to the Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee

at

Membership:

Jackie Dingfelder, Chair - sen.jackiedingfelder@state.or.us 503-986-1723;

Alan Olsen, Vice-Chair - sen.alanolsen@state.or.us 503-986-1720; 

Mark Hass - sen.markhass@state.or.us 503-986-1714; Floyd Prozanski -

sen.floydprozanski@state.or.us 503-986-1704; Chuck Thomsen -

sen.chuckthomsen@state.or.us 503-986-1726

Staffing:

Beth Patrino - Beth.Patrino@state.or.us or 503-986-1813

Feel free to call or e-mail me with comments or questions.

Jim Welsh, Lobbyist

Oregon Cattlemen's Association

541-935-1504 Hm & Bus. 

541-554-8043 Cell

jdwelshco@msn.com 

Living the Western Lifestyle

'WEST' isn't just a direction on the map. It is also a frame of mind. No matter where you are on the map, you can have a piece of the west. Whether you are a "been there, done that" old cowboy / cowgirl, or a streetwise urban cowboy who loves the rustic look and relaxed feel of the Old West, you will find something here to enhance your western lifestyle.

Ahhh, the western lifestyle. Heck no, it ain't easy! The hard work starts before dawn and lasts long past sundown. It all goes back to the days of pioneers and settlers riding west to claim a stake of land on which to raise cattle and crops, to produce food to live on. So much has changed, but in all things western you can still see a shadow of the history of the American Cowboy's lifestyle. For many living the western lifestyle in this day, it means getting up at 2:00 in the morning during calving season to go out to the pasture to check heifers - even if it's raining and cold, yes even in a blizzard! In other seasons, the western lifestyle means mowing, raking, and baling hay in the blazing heat of the summer days, or riding a horse across a pasture of 100's or 1,000's of acres (or larger) to gather calves on a cold windy fall day, to be transported to the sale barn for the next auction. These seasonal chores are just a small portion of the usual year-round duties performed by the cowboys, ranchers, and farmers of the West. Another seasonal duty includes helping neighbors out during the branding season, who in turn reciprocate the favor. While an extensive amount of work goes into each day of branding cattle at each different locale, each event generally turns into a great social time for all. At the end of the day, after all of the calves are branded and vaccinated, and the bull calves have been casterated, participants come together and discuss the top issues in the headlines of the world. This time of social comradery is one of the rewards of living a western lifestyle.

What's so great about a western lifestyle? It is the romantic vision of the attitudes, work ethics, manners and morals along with the history of the American Western Cowboy and his culture. Life in the country, out in the wide open spaces. Time alone on the prairie, or in the desert, or up in the mountains. Some time to think. Watching a beautiful sunset. Peaceful and relaxing.

The cowboys/cowgirls and ranchers who live a true western lifestyle take care of business with their own regions western tack, style of dress and supplies. But even those who will not be riding out to check heifers, or living life on the rodeo trail, can still have a piece of the West with western furniture and home decor. A western theme will accentuate your lifestyle. Please visit and browse our site at www.everythingwestern.net to explore all that is available if you desire a western lifestyle.

Happy Trails!