Humane Society for Shelter Pets

Finally an umbrella group for local humane societies and for educating the public on the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).  The Humane Society for Shelter Pets' motto is to help local shelters with overpopulation etc.  They also educate the public on the FACT that HSUS is giving less than 1% of the donations recieved to local animal shelters, while using cats in dogs in 85% of their propaganda.  Hmmm...  I think there is some tricky marketing going on here.

Anyway back to HSSP.  They are an organization that is educating people to donate locally if they want to help local shelters and humane societies.  It makes sense in many areas of your life.  The larger the organization- the more overhead, the less money spent on actually doing something.  The smaller the organization, the more focused they are on fixing a local problem.

The real kicker on HSSP- that has makes me somewhat reserved is a Co-director Diana Culp.  She WAS the director of education for HSUS.  Yep, she has flipped over to a lighter side.  Still against puppy mills- not exactly sure what that is but, hey it is the word of the day. 

I am the 1%

I can't help myself- I am the 1%.  You know... The one percent that helps feed the other 99%.  I am the 1% which believes I take better care of the land than what regulations and policy can.  I have a town job and still try to raise a healthy wholesome crop of beef cattle. 

I am also part of another 1%.  The ones who are actively trying to advocate and educate others about agriculture and animal production.  I am proud of the others who are also trying to advocate and educate in their own ways.  It is difficult to do.  Especially, if you work hard not to preach to the choir but actually reach out to those who are different than you.

To the other 99% work on getting out of your comfort zone.  Take the time to educate someone today about what you do and why you do it.  You don't need alot of education, the advocates have proven- you can get far with emotion.

Ag in the Classroom

Headed for Ag in the Classroom this morning. We are expecting over 300 little darlings from around the area. There will be information on all types of agriculture from Beef by-products to goats.

It is exciting to have a new presenter this year. A retired BLM employee is going to do a short demonstration on feral horses and the need for gathers. Hopefully, this will start a new line of thinking in our younger generation. From what I understand, it is a modified game of tag. Some kids are horses, some are food and water. Horses must go and secure food and water, those who cannot are either "gathered" or "die".

Wish me patience. This is alot of Kindergarteners through third graders but well worth the time.

Another Goofy Group of AR People

Another goofy group of AR people are making their prescense know throughout the United States. THey are known Farm Animal Rights Movement and want to have a world farm animal day.

http://www.wfad.org/actioncenter/demo.htm

I am worried. I know they have backers. I know there is people that believe their mission is true but... They have on their web page to protest when mainstream media is at an outbreak of swine flu. DOH!

I don't want someone who isn't smart enough to differentiate the hazards of swine flu and farm animals to be telling others what to do. I don't think people should listen to them but there has been worse "prophets". Jon Marvel for one.

I don't know how to combat against these people. They are spreading malacious lies about my livelihood. You really can't sue them for slander/libel or maybe you could. Are you better off educating the general public so they don't fall into the trap. Maybe a bunch of Animal Science PhD's could get together and start a group- call themselves Dr.s but not explain that it isn't an M.D. and spread the truth. Hmmm.. Anyone want to chip in for travel expenses? How about some beer money? I am sure after a couple days in the city of educating the general public it will take some medicinal extras to ease the pain. :)

Myths about the World

I think of myself as pretty well educated- Heck, I have a PhD. And that is not a post hole digger, even though I have one of those too. But when I read an interesting article about today's environmental myths I was shocked and dumbfounded that I may have been duped into believing the world was ending. We have a huge hole in the ozone layer, that matches the size of California's budget deficiet- Now that is BIG.

Dr. John Christy- state climatologist for Alabama suggests a different theory. "The great secret environmental activists do not want Americans to know is that because of increased carbon in the Earth's atmosphere, global food production has increased by 16%. Carbon is plant food, (DUH) and plants thrive even in drought conditions with more available carbon." Hmmmm.... SO going green may hurt the plant life we are trying to save by not cutting down and letting the bugs eat it? Interesting.

Another issue that I find interesting. According to many, natural diasters have been increasing due to global warming or global conspiracy. Science shows they are at a 30-year low?! Something is not jiving here. Maybe it is because of this silly internet and the instantaneous world we live in we are just more aware of the natural diasters.

My favorite of a long lists of myths is the decline of the polar bear due to habitat reduction from the ice caps melting. Christy states "In 2007, the Antartic hit the record maximum sea level and had more ice than ever. AND Polar bear numbers are at an all time high ~24,200." Records from 1960 indicate levels for polar bears were around 6-10,000.

So, the global conspiracy may live on but I don't think I am going to buy it any longer.