EPA

The environmental protection agency (EPA) was questioned about lawsuits last week. It seems in the last decade or so more regulations have been made because of mitigation of lawsuits from so called environmental groups than through legislation. It is unfortunate this has been the case without the scientific background and research to back up said regulations. Sen. Cordoza from California questioned the head of EPA~ Suggesting that EPA has been actually soliciting for lawsuits so they may place more restrictions on American farmers and ranchers. The head of EPA stated that would be unprofessional~ not confirming or denying the claim. Senator Cordoza went on to suggest maybe mitigating lawsuits was not the way to go if we were going to continue having a viable farming industry. Maybe the EPA should take the time and resources to look into the actual reasoning behind litigation before giving in. An interesting tactic from a Democratic Senator, suggesting maybe science should lead regulations not emotion?

Lookout Idaho

House bill 149 in Idaho is once again Disneyfying horses. They are taking the majestic livestock to the lowly staus of companion animal. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. Horses are livestock and should be treated, legislated, and managed as such.

They do not sell ponies in a pet store for a reason. They are big, they can be dangerous, and they require special care. They can not be placed in a backyard or cage and left. Quit trying to make them a dog. They do not do well with a walk a day. They require space, hay, and water along with their love.

Please write to these people and let them know. Even if you are not from the state. I think it is degrading to horses.

SB 510 passes house

Senate Bill 510 has slipped quietly through the house with 14 Republicans voting for it! This bill will restict farming down to a homeowners garden and allow the FDA to regulate from Farm to Fork. It is scary the amount of regulation that is currently creeping up on farmers and ranchers without them being aware.

This bill has language that would allow FDA to regulate home gardens and backyard ranches if they may impact the environment or have the potential to be hazardous to human or animal health. Not to be crass but isn't raising livestock hazardous to animal health. You can't carve a steak off and let the animal live.

These types of bills are going to be seriously detrimental to small scale farmers and ranchers along with larger types. Plus, I know where the money is going to come from to run such large scale regulatory operations. Tax Payers pockets.

Arizona Proposition

WOW! For a state that brought us McCain Arizona is sure making up for the defeat of Palin :) First, the Immigration Law which is still heavily being debated and now a proposition to protect the rights of carnivores, specifically those who like to harvest their own meat. Proposition 109 is to be put to a vote in November. The law would protect the rights of hunters from "people who have watched too many Disney movies". I am not making this up. That is exactly what the senator said- hence the quotes.

I guess I am not the only anti-Disney person out there. The senator who sponsored the bill went on to say- " There is no current threat to hunting in Arizona, but if there is ever a threat I want the decision to be based on science not emotion."

A big echo of what many have been saying. Good on you Arizona, keep up the fight.

SJ Resolution 26

On 6/10, the Senate will vote on SJ Res. 26, a Joint-Resolution to disapprove the EPA Rule designating carbon dioxide a pollutant. CO2 occurs naturally in the environment & is what mammals exhale. It is not a pollutant! If the EPA is allowed to define it as one & regulate it, then the EPA has a license to regulate ...life itself. Contact your Senators and urge them to adopt this critical resolution.

Wow now government is going to regulate the air we breath or exhale in this case even more. This is ludicrious and a sign of a dictatorship.