[ SHOWGSD-L ] From the NAIA Trust Newsletter: "Wedgies" Are we the unwitting agents of the AR
- From: "Ginger Cleary" <cleary1414@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Showgsd-L@Freelists. Org" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 08:46:49 -0400
-----Original Message-----
"WEDGIES"
Are we the unwitting agents of the animal rights movement?
A Guest Editorial by Frank Fletcher, Sheltie Breeder-Enthusiast
In political circles, it's called "wedge politics." It is the act of
separating members of a unified political base using a single divisive
issue. The method works on religious and secular groups alike and on most
emotional issues; sexual orientation or the right to choose versus the
right-to-life, for example. Ironically, victims of intolerance often become
the most ardent and vocal practitioners of it. The tragedy is that those
interjecting the strife have no interest in the common bonds of the
communities they split, but are instead cynically playing on an emotional
appeal to advance their personal agenda.
When it comes to "wedge politics," there is perhaps no more skilled
player than The Humane Society of the United States. With fewer than 350
employees, the HSUS raises over 75 million dollars a year. Contrary to
common belief, they keep no shelters. They spend over forty cents of every
dollar they receive in raising more money. Ultimately, they oppose
hunting, fishing, purebred animals, pet ownership, medical research, Eggs
McMuffin and Big Macs, bar-b-ques and pig-pickings, and yes, even the
Thanksgiving turkey. Yet, on animal issues, they are the "go to" people in
Washington . Is this strange? Perhaps. Is it artful wedge politics?
Most certainly.
In 2005, with both likely and unlikely allies, the HSUS advanced the Pet
Animal Welfare Statute, or PAWS. Significantly, HSUS lobbyists soon had
those inside the beltway referring to the proposal as "the puppy mill bill."
Arbitrary numbers and unclear language also quickly divided lifelong allies.
No responsible and caring person wants to be considered an operator of a
"puppy mill." And so, the wedge was driven: dog people and cat people,
successful exhibitors and breeders, veterinarians, rescuers, and the
operators of various registries squared off, often internally divided.
In 2006, leading a cadre of the usual suspects, the HSUS is on another
mission to divide and devastate. Despite a thirty-seven to three vote
opposing the bill in the US House Agriculture Committee, it appears the
American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act will reach the full house for a
vote. With financial contributions, "wedge politics" and the political
deftness of a pool shark performing a three-railed bank shot, the HSUS has
skirted those legislators judged by both parties most capable in addressing
the interests of American agriculture.
At issue is the right of private businesses and private citizens to
decide individual end-of-life issues for their own animals. Those with
enough wealth, located in the right area, may have other choices when "old
Bessie's" time has come. But what does an ordinary person do when that
time is late January, when the snow and the wind are high on the great
plain, and the ground is like frozen granite? If the HSUS prevails and
AHSPA passes, 70,000 horses a year and their owners will lose an option that
the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Association of Equine
Practitioners, and scores of other experts have judged "humane." No
alternatives are proposed by AHSPA. Never mind "humane." Never mind "old
Bessie."
Almost as sad are the divisions which shall remain -- whatever the
outcome. Those once bound by a common love, will harbor lingering
bitterness. Distrust will prevail. Perhaps old wounds will be remembered
someday, and revealed to exploit some other political advantage.
How far will it to go? Will private ownership of family pets and
commercial livestock end? Will hand-signing Great Apes actually "testify" in
an American courtroom? Will medical research to cure human disease grind to
a halt? Will we subsist on a diet of tofu and granola? This may seem
doubtful. But, the extent to which extremists are successful will be
heavily dependent on the extent to which we allow ourselves to be duped and
used. It will also depend on the extent to which we remain apathetic about
infringing civil liberty - both ours, and those of others. For, while the
term "wedge politics" may be recent, the method is not. And, looking
historically, perhaps the challenge exists not just with the extremists, but
more, within us.
In the early 1950's, in part as a satirical commentary on the intolerance
of the McCarthy era, cartoonist Walt Kelly penned The Pogo Papers. Today,
perhaps the moral lessons are equally instructive:
"There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things
which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve,
then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tiny blasts of
tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may
be us."
.
__,_._,__
Ginger Cleary, Rome, GA
Proud member GSDCA and Sawnee Mtn Kennel Club
www.rihadin.com_
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