Read The AP’s Martin Griffith’s 12-12-09 article on the Clandestine Buckhorn Roundup of 217 horses (San Francisco Chronicle, Examiner.com– only shortened version online now, will try to get original posted soon)
Following the yet-unsolved shooting death of 6 federally-protected mustangs, more of America’s mustangs are removed; at least one mare has died to date.
The discovery of shooting deaths of six wild horses on the California-Nevada border has led to the exposure of an apparently clandestine BLM roundup of over 200 horses. The roundup of the Buckhorn Wild Horses was scheduled to begin in August 2010. However, in a surprise move by the Surprise BLM field office in Cedarville, CA, the roundup took place November 30- December 10th. The horses were run into traps in freezing conditions with rain and snow and overnight lows dipping below 0ºF. BLM spokesman Jeff Fontana reported that 217 were removed, leaving 59 on the range. This roundup was originally planned for a removal of 536 horses to get down to a BLM-approved level of just 85 horses or less.
No one was there observe because no one was told this roundup had been moved up 9 months until after the fact. How many horses were injured, how many were killed? How exactly was the roundup conducted? The truth is, any member of the public is seriously remiss in trusting this agency. Only the most dedicated members of the public would even be able and willing to drive in this weather to observe such a roundup.
One mare has died after being crushed by a metal panel, according to BLM and foals appear to be in poor condition in the BLM Palomino Valley holding pens following the ordeal and another winter storm. The horses have no shelter and the windbreaks are not up. BLM has zeroed out wild horses for just that reason in the past. The change to conduct this roundup in winter was made without notification to the BLM’s own press agents, the media or the public. The requisite 30-day comment period was conducted in August of 2009 on a suspect recycled 2007 Environmental Assessment (EA) that was reused in August 2009 to allow for a roundup in this area. When advocates learned that this roundup was taking place nine months ahead of schedule, the Surprise Field Office had no record of decision (ROD) or final EA posted on their website to authorize this roundup. On Friday, following inquiries from the public, an unsigned August ROD was posted on the BLM site.
While BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program Chief, Don Glenn, was telling the advocates in attendance at a National BLM Advisory Board meeting that they were welcome to observe any BLM roundup (which came as news to the many people there who had repeatedly been denied access to view roundups this year and in the past) roundup crews were in process of “gathering” horses. Mr. Glenn’s invitation is clearly hampered by not knowing when and where roundups will take place. To date an updated roundup schedule has still not been posted on the National BLM website.
Pressure is growing on the BLM as a unified moratorium letter signed by over 190 organizations, including the Cloud Foundation, the Equine Welfare Alliance and In Defense of Animals as well as noted scientists, and celebrities such as Sheryl Crow, Lily Tomlin, Viggo Mortenson, Ed Harris, Bill Maher and more. This call is supported by signatures of over 7,000 individuals. (add your name here!)
Ginger Kathrens of the Cloud Foundation, spoke with the Surprise field office in early December and learned that the Massacre Lakes roundup (scheduled to being December 7th) had been delayed until February. The BLM failed to inform Ms. Kathrens at that time that another roundup had been substituted in its place.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is moving forward with roundups of America’s wild horses and burros and carrying on with operations through the dead of winter in California, Oregon and Nevada. According to the most recent Roundup Schedule (12/4/09) the BLM plans to remove 7,163 wild horses and burros this winter, and another 4,395 in the summer of 2010. This roundup schedule was given to Advisory Board members on 12/7 but not to the Cloud Foundation until 12/10/09 upon request.
The notorious KD Livestock crews moves next to southeast Oregon where they are scheduled to remove over 200 horses in what could be equally dangerous winter conditions. BLM Chief Don Glenn invites the world to watch.
The BLM is the bull in the china shop of America’s public western wildlands. Their mismanagement is nearly as legendary as the mustangs themselves. Keep up the call for a moratorium on roundups! Sign the petition and send your comments to President Obama and your representatives here.
AP article on Shooting deaths of 6 wild horses 12-10-09
another new article from Virginia City news “No Merry Christmas for 8 Wild Horses”
Mare and foal pen at Palomino Valley Holding Facility -12-11-09 K. Mccovey
Mares in Foal at Palomino Valley 12-11-09. K. McCovey photo
Huddled together- Palomino Valley 12-11-09. K. McCovey photo
thecloudfoundation.wordpress.com 
December 13, 2009 at 4:27 pm |
BLM is beef!
If you wish to help preserve the west, to help free the mustangs,
Boycott Beef. Ecconomic sanctions will set the west free again.
The mustangs’ rightful freedom is as equal as our own.
And when we destroy the freedom One, we destroy the freedom of All.
All is truly One.
Choose wisely what you eat.
Thanks,
=
MJA
January 22, 2010 at 12:40 am |
Michael, I realize you mean well, but, as we have posted before these ranchers produce only 3% of the beef consumed in the US every year. Boycotting beef would be useless. You would undoubtedly be boycotting beef produced by someone else entirely.
January 22, 2010 at 1:51 am
Suzanne, I am looking at an article from Time Magazine; Save the Planet: eat More Beef!
IF SOLELY FED GRASS, COWS COULD PLAY A KEY ROLE IN REVERSING CLIMATE CHANGE!!!!!
There is an illustrated section called FEEDLOTS VS PASTURES. I will try to find this online. Is this the reason that BLM is increasing cattle grazing on horse lands?
I am in shock. mar
January 22, 2010 at 2:02 am
Part one from Time Magazine, January 25, 2010
How Cows (Grass-Fed Only) Could Save the Planet
By LISA ABEND Monday, Jan. 25, 2010
ENLARGE PHOTO+
Cattle on this Hardwick, Mass., farm grow not on feedlots but in pastures, where their grazing helps keep carbon dioxide in the ground
Jason Grow for TIME
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On a farm in coastal Maine, a barn is going up. Right now it’s little more than a concrete slab and some wooden beams, but when it’s finished, the barn will provide winter shelter for up to six cows and a few head of sheep. None of this would be remarkable if it weren’t for the fact that the people building the barn are two of the most highly regarded organic-vegetable farmers in the country: Eliot Coleman wrote the bible of organic farming, The New Organic Grower, and Barbara Damrosch is the Washington Post’s gardening columnist. At a time when a growing number of environmental activists are calling for an end to eating meat, this veggie-centric power couple is beginning to raise it. “Why?” asks Coleman, tromping through the mud on his way toward a greenhouse bursting with December turnips. “Because I care about the fate of the planet.”
Ever since the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization released a 2006 report that attributed 18% of the world’s man-made greenhouse-gas emissions to livestock — more, the report noted, than what’s produced by transportation — livestock has taken an increasingly hard rap. At first, it was just vegetarian groups that used the U.N.’s findings as evidence for the superiority of an all-plant diet. But since then, a broader range of environmentalists has taken up the cause. At a recent European Parliament hearing titled “Global Warming and Food Policy: Less Meat = Less Heat,” Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, argued that reducing meat consumption is a “simple, effective and short-term delivery measure in which everybody could contribute” to emissions reductions.
(See the top 10 green ideas of 2009.)
And of all the animals that humans eat, none are held more responsible for climate change than the ones that moo. Cows not only consume more energy-intensive feed than other livestock; they also produce more methane — a powerful greenhouse gas — than other animals do. “If your primary concern is to curb emissions, you shouldn’t be eating beef,” says Nathan Pelletier, an ecological economist at Dalhousie University in Halifax, N.S., noting that cows produce 13 to 30 lb. of carbon dioxide per pound of meat.
(See where cows eat and what it means for the environment.)
So how can Coleman and Damrosch believe that adding livestock to their farm will help the planet? Cattleman Ridge Shinn has the answer. On a wintry Saturday at his farm in Hardwick, Mass., he is out in his pastures encouraging a herd of plump Devon cows to move to a grassy new paddock. Over the course of a year, his 100 cattle will rotate across 175 acres four or five times. “Conventional cattle raising is like mining,” he says. “It’s unsustainable, because you’re just taking without putting anything back. But when you rotate cattle on grass, you change the equation. You put back more than you take.”
(See the top 10 scientific discoveries of 2009.)
It works like this: grass is a perennial. Rotate cattle and other ruminants across pastures full of it, and the animals’ grazing will cut the blades — which spurs new growth — while their trampling helps work manure and other decaying organic matter into the soil, turning it into rich humus. The plant’s roots also help maintain soil health by retaining water and microbes. And healthy soil keeps carbon dioxide underground and out of the atmosphere.
Compare that with the estimated 99% of U.S. beef cattle that live out their last months on feedlots, where they are stuffed with corn and soybeans. In the past few decades, the growth of these concentrated animal-feeding operations has resulted in millions of acres of grassland being abandoned or converted — along with vast swaths of forest — into profitable cropland for livestock feed. “Much of the carbon footprint of beef comes from growing grain to feed the animals, which requires fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, pesticides, transportation,” says Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. “Grass-fed beef has a much lighter carbon footprint.” Indeed, although grass-fed cattle may produce more methane than conventional ones (high-fiber plants are harder to digest than cereals, as anyone who has felt the gastric effects of eating broccoli or cabbage can attest), their net emissions are lower because they help the soil sequester carbon.
See the top 10 animal stories of 2009.
See the top 10 medical breakthroughs of 2009.
1
January 22, 2010 at 2:07 am
Part Two;
2 of 2)
From Vermont, where veal and dairy farmer Abe Collins is developing software designed to help farmers foster carbon-rich topsoil quickly, to Denmark, where Thomas Harttung’s Aarstiderne farm grazes 150 head of cattle, a vanguard of small farmers are trying to get the word out about how much more eco-friendly they are than factory farming. “If you suspend a cow in the air with buckets of grain, then it’s a bad guy,” Harttung explains. “But if you put it where it belongs — on grass — that cow becomes not just carbon-neutral but carbon-negative.” Collins goes even further. “With proper management, pastoralists, ranchers and farmers could achieve a 2% increase in soil-carbon levels on existing agricultural, grazing and desert lands over the next two decades,” he estimates. Some researchers hypothesize that just a 1% increase (over, admittedly, vast acreages) could be enough to capture the total equivalent of the world’s greenhouse-gas emissions.
This math works out in part because farmers like Shinn don’t use fertilizers or pesticides to maintain their pastures and need no energy to produce what their animals eat other than what they get free from the sun. Furthermore, pasturing frequently uses land that would otherwise be unproductive. “I’d like to see someone try to raise soybeans here,” he says, gesturing toward the rocky, sloping fields around him.
By many standards, pastured beef is healthier. That’s certainly the case for the animals involved; grass feeding obviates the antibiotics that feedlots are forced to administer in order to prevent the acidosis that occurs when cows are fed grain. But it also appears to be true for people who eat cows. Compared with conventional beef, grass-fed is lower in saturated fat and higher in omega-3s, the heart-healthy fatty acids found in salmon.
(See pictures of the world’s most polluted places.)
But not everyone is sold on its superiority. In addition to citing grass-fed meat’s higher price tag — Shinn’s ground beef ends up retailing for about $7 a pound, more than twice the price of conventional beef — feedlot producers say that only through their economies of scale can the industry produce enough meat to satisfy demand, especially for a growing population. These critics note that because grass is less caloric than grain, it takes two to three years to get a pastured cow to slaughter weight, whereas a feedlot animal requires only 14 months. “Not only does it take fewer animals on a feedlot to produce the same amount of meat,” says Tamara Thies, chief environmental counsel for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (which contests the U.N.’s 18% figure), “but because they grow so quickly, they have less chance to produce greenhouse gases.”
To Allan Savory, the economies-of-scale mentality ignores the role that grass-fed herbivores can play in fighting climate change. A former wildlife conservationist in Zimbabwe, Savory once blamed overgrazing for desertification. “I was prepared to shoot every bloody rancher in the country,” he recalls. But through rotational grazing of large herds of ruminants, he found he could reverse land degradation, turning dead soil into thriving grassland.
(See TIME’s special report on the environment.)
Like him, Coleman now scoffs at the environmentalist vogue for vilifying meat eating. “The idea that giving up meat is the solution for the world’s ills is ridiculous,” he says at his Maine farm. “A vegetarian eating tofu made in a factory from soybeans grown in Brazil is responsible for a lot more CO2 than I am.” A lifetime raising vegetables year-round has taught him to value the elegance of natural systems. Once he and Damrosch have brought in their livestock, they’ll “be able to use the manure to feed the plants, and the plant waste to feed the animals,” he says. “And even though we can’t eat the grass, we’ll be turning it into something we can.”
See TIME’s Pictures of the Week.
See the top 10 news stories of 2009.
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Read more: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1953692-2,00.html#ixzz0dIpdSUFt
January 22, 2010 at 2:17 am
Mar, this is in Food Inc too, not as clearly stated about grass fed cattle, but they talk about the bloating and how 2 weeks on hay would cure it. So I propose they spend 96 million on this wonderful grassland in the east and midwest for cattle instead of wild horses!
Still leaves me confused about grain fed being better and comprising the bulk of what we export – the good stuff.
January 22, 2010 at 2:29 am
ABsolutely — send the darn cattle to those big ol’ grasslands Salazar loves so much!!!
January 22, 2010 at 2:33 am
Here is a few of my observations based on years of being around cows(much prefer horses!) First the breed of cattle mentioned here is a much smaller heritage breed, the Devon. I have a neighbor raising these cattle since his customers want smaller amounts of beef for their freezer. Years ago I think I saw these animals at Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. Second, aren’t most of the public lands ranchers raising cow and calf combinations on their allotments. I would think the calf would be weaned and either sold as a feeder steer to a feedlot or placed in steer herd and finished on grain for the weight. Pastured beef probably do much better in the eastern and mid-west area than on western lands.
Here is some information on the current and future cattle industry from Southern States–big Farmer Coop
“The impact of the recession has weighed heavily on cattle producers as well, according to Purdue economist Chris Hurt. The cattle industry has suffered high feed costs over the past three years and the recession has weakened overall demand for beef. Herd size is expected to continue to decrease by another 1-2% due to low margins for cow-calf producers and the effects of regional drought. As a result of smaller cow numbers and a smaller calf crop, beef production is expected to drop by about 3% in 2010.” Now if the 3% would just get off the Public Lands!
January 22, 2010 at 2:56 am
I agree with all of you.
Barb, Yes, they are cow/calf combos all along my favorite watersheds out here in San Juan National Forest. Not all grazing alottments are on dry public land. The river valleys in the National Forests all over are dotted with cattle all summer. That is why Western Watersheds is after them the most for polluting water (and causing erosion) which is very precious out here.
Roxie, Grain fed is not better. Try grass fed and you will taste a huge difference. Like eating buffalo. Great flavor, more tender and more digestable. I do not eat much beef. I am not trying to advertise beef. This is just very poor timing.
January 22, 2010 at 3:26 am
The worst thing out here, to me, is the cattle are on the best land along rivers where ever possible. This creates such a mess and creates a situation that even runs off the public from our National Forests. If horses were grazing these places they would look far different and not become eyesores by August. The pollution is very real as I had water from my faucet in De Haven at 9000 feet and we had cattle around us and I got infected with giardia because I failed to boil water i made orange juice with.
mar
January 22, 2010 at 3:52 am
Mar, I am amazed that these cows are being allowed to graze along and in streams. We are in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and it has been voluntary to fence out cattle and horses from the stream for quite awhile. Just recently EPA got in on the Chesapeake Bay pollution problem and they are coming down on anybody not keeping animals out of the water. Love the Merle Haggard quote about the cattle pooping upstream–will try to find it and post!
January 22, 2010 at 5:12 pm
BS: If things are so bad, why all the new cattle leases in Calico area?
curiouser and curiouser
December 13, 2009 at 7:21 pm |
The duplicity of this agency (the BLM) is unconscionable and knows no bounds! While I have written yet another letter to the Obama Administration this A.M., I believe more than ever that federal court action is necessary to end the travesty. Please pray for the attorneys as they attempt to obtain a permanent injunction in Washington D.C. on December 16! Their ability to use the right words to illuminate the pertinent facts may give us all the best Christmas gift possible. IDA’s assertion that roundups are illegal under the 1971 Act could force a moratorium immediately if they prevail.
December 13, 2009 at 9:35 pm |
Yes, This is our best option for now, but expect more of the same from BLM. mar
December 13, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Mar, Yes, I always expect more of the same from the BLM. However, Judge Collyer’s finding against the BLM this past summer (yeah, I know it is being appealed) stated that they were “subverting” the purpose of the statute (1971 Act). If IDA and the new attorneys can get a similar interpretation of the law, then a bolstering of the idea that horses should be left on the ranges is happening. It is building new case law, literally. That is why crafting the case with the proper words/language is so important. The “door” is now open just a crack.
December 13, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Karen, I know, but lets remember that we can’t put all our eggs in one basket. Even with the best outcome from Craig’s and In Defense of Animals’ suit, we will have work to do. I am not glad the horses get the brunt of every deceitful tactic BLM uses but every time they do what they do best, they are burying themselves. Instead of cleaning up their act, they say they have cleaned it up and fight even more dirty than before. Have hope but don’t back off and never underestimate the opposition.
It makes me very nervous that so much seems to hang on one suit. The language is essential, the examples they are allowed to bring forth just as much. mar
December 13, 2009 at 10:59 pm
National WH&B Center at Palomino Valley
P.O. Box 3270
Sparks, Nevada 89432
775-475-2222
John_Neill@blm.gov
PVC Web Site
December 13, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Mar, Every judgment that finds the BLM in violation of the original statute (the 1971 Act) is a building block. Of course there will be suits and appeals, but if Congress is not passing new legislation, then the court system is a viable means of obtaining change. Nothing I said had anything to do with putting eggs all in one basket—bolstering and building were the words I used.
Maybe go back and read Laura Allen’s use of legal reasons in her “Call for a Congressional Investigation” piece at the Animal Law Coalition site, and Steven Long’s “TRO” article back a few pages on this TCF site. He cited one anonymous attorney who thought the BLM’s actions were in direct violation of the 1971 Act and that this could be proven with the “right” attorneys/arguments. Yes, I’m continuing to “work” until real, permanent change occurs for the horses; but that change will be legal, political, or both through Congress, the courts, or Presidential decree.
December 14, 2009 at 12:16 am
Karen, Thanks, I do understand. I have never implied anything else. Did you think I had? Sorry, I do not mean to rub anyone the wrong way. I have read these. Many people want this over and there is no quick fix, right? I believe we have said the same things. If not, my mistake, sorry, mar
December 18, 2009 at 7:43 pm
I do hope that people here have heard the news that Judge Collyer has not accepted BLMs appeal and his decision stands for the West Douglas horses here in Colorado. This sets a precedent that says BLM does not use science when making the decision to remove wild horses from their ranges. Mar
December 18, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Mar, No, I hadn’t seen anything about rejection of that appeal!! Such a precedent is exactly what I meant in my comments on the 13th! Can you give me/us a link?? Thanks!
December 18, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Karen, Maybe you should contact Makendra. It is not on a link. I do not know why… mar
December 15, 2009 at 3:52 am |
I want to know why you did a “gather” with no mention to ANYONE about it. There was a panel meeting in Reno, not only was this NOT disclosed but the insidious behavior of those on your side of the table is shouting something stinks.
Another horse died during this “gather”. Where is YOUR accountability in this? What will happen to those folk that had jurisdiction in this case??? Will you fire them????
My letter to the BLM. This is so sick. I want to swear cuss and yell so loud they aliens could hear me to Pluto and back again.
Right now you have horses in unprotected corrals. You say that once the horses are in captivity they your responsibility. Well to be honest it doesn’t look very responsible to have horses shivering in the cold with ABSOLUTELY no windbreak.
This “gather” was suppose to take place some 9 months from now. Yet with the law about to come down on your head you “gather” horses in the dead of winter.
This is really sickening.
Margaret
December 13, 2009 at 7:36 pm |
A letter from one of our Missouri senators, Claire McCaskill. Though the first part seems to be taken verbatim from the BLM’s website, the latter part demonstrates an understanding of the ROAM legislation. Don’t worry; she heard from me after this!!
Dear Ms. Ferguson,
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Restore Our American Mustangs Act. I appreciate hearing from you, and welcome the opportunity to respond.
The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 provided for the protection of wild horses and burros on federal lands, placing them under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service (FS). These agencies work to maintain “appropriate management levels” (AMLs) for these herds, in order to protect herd health, prevent overgrazing, and maintain ecological balance. Because these animals have virtually no natural predators, the total size of the herds can double approximately every four years.
The primary method used by federal agencies to reduce the size of the wild herds, and achieve AMLs, is private adoption. Under the federal adoption program, the BLM transfers ownership of a horse or burro to an individual after they demonstrate humane care for one year. Between 1972 and 2008, approximately 225,000 animals were adopted. Unfortunately, in recent years, the federal government has been unable to find a sufficient number of individuals willing to adopt. Currently, nearly 37,000 wild horses and burros roam on BLM managed lands; this figure far exceeds the target ALM of 26,587 for all herds by over 10,000 animals.
In an attempt to address these issues, Senator Byrd of West Virginia has introduced S. 1579, the Restore Our American Mustangs (ROAM) Act. This bill would expand the area available to the animals, from the current level of 34.3 million acres to a minimum of 53.5 million acres; this would ease the burden on the land caused by overpopulation. The bill would also prohibit the sale and slaughter of these animals, facilitate the establishment of wild horse and burro sanctuaries on public lands, and identify new rangelands for wild horses and burros, including on private lands. Finally, S. 1579 seeks to facilitate the adoption program by expanding adoption outreach and marketing efforts and providing volunteer mentor and compliance check programs to assist those seeking to adopt.
As you know, I care deeply for the treatment of animals. S. 1579 has been referred to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where it awaits consideration. Should this bill come to the Senate floor for a full vote, I will be sure to keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for contacting me. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future if I can be of further assistance to you on this or any other issue.
Sincerely,
Claire McCaskill
United States Senator
December 15, 2009 at 3:32 am |
Janet that has to be a form letter because I got two of them! One from Senator Boxer and one from Senator Feinstein. I sent a scathing letter back to Feinstein and told her the situation was far more serious than just what a form letter would dictate. I got another form letter back that said she had gotten my first letter and took it seriously!
Go figure.
Margaret
December 16, 2009 at 2:08 pm |
Typical form letter complete with limited information and blatant misinformation.
I can always tell when I’m reading something written by some one who knows nothing about horses — or nature, for that matter. The statement about horses having virtually no natural predators … as if these animals only die if they get eaten by something … as if being preyed upon by other animals is the only way herd populations are kept in check in nature.
OR we hear this: “these animals are starving to death…”
I can think of a dozen other ways that nature balances horse populations that have nothing to do with cougars or starvation.
Long term population studies need to be done to verify the real numbers. I’m tired of hearing that herds are doubling every four years when there’s no way that can be true.
In the meantime, the BLM is obviously not following the rules. Stealth round ups only make them look worse — like a rogue agency that doesn’t think it needs to be acountable for its actions. In the long run, I think this kind of behavior from the BLM will be the agency’s ruin.
December 16, 2009 at 7:45 pm
We can only hope so. Make that, “short term. . .”
December 17, 2009 at 3:00 am
What about this “gather” that the BLM just fessed up to??? Can the lawyers mention this as part of the atrocities the BLM is guilty of???
I do know that when you are in court you only have so much time to present all your facts and your ducks all have to be in a row.
I would think the lawyers would want to bring the major issues to light instead of bogging the works down with “smalller” issues. For instance–we all feel that the “gather” held over Labor Day was totally without merit. That one may well be a biggie in the eyes of the lawyers. But they are zeroing in on the Calico “gather” right now. So how to bring up all their points without bogging the works.
Would it bog things down to include this latest “gather”??? I don’t know. What I do know is that it was sneaky, underhanded and totally disgusting.
One thing that came to mind was something that Sue Cattoor wrote on her website about how they took a beating from Ginger et al. Sue made the statement about how the horses are so use to people and vehicles that they just calmly walk down the mountain. They don’t gallop for miles on end. She would have you believe that Cloud just walks into the corrals and without fuss lets the BLM dart his mares, take his foals and whatever mares they feel like.
SO WHY IS IT THAT EVERY SINGLE PHOTO WE SEE–WE HAVE WILD HORSES TRYING TO RUN FROM THE HELICOPTER???? What is wrong with this picture????
Sorry for shouting–I was using caps for emphasis.
December 13, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
This is verbatim the same letter I received my my Senator!!!!!!! I am beyond angry, I will contact both of them tomorrow, Humane Societies and Animal Control officers routinely remove horses from places that do not provide adequate shelter for the horses, why is BLM continually allowed to flout the law, I don’t get it, but it needs to stop, I will be very interested in the hearings on the 16th, All I want for Christmas is the Moratorium,
December 13, 2009 at 10:40 pm |
Jan and friends, Shall we call local authorities in Nevada and report this abuse on Monday? It cannot hurt. Mar
December 13, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Car trouble probs. to be solved a.m. Ready to call in p.m. — please suggest what to say.
Also — I just noticed this article on Wild Horse Warriers from Dec 12. — not sure if it has been posted yet.
http://wildhorsewarriors.blogspot.com/2009/12/grazing-federal-public-lands-law.html
December 13, 2009 at 11:04 pm
This is from BLM Website re: Palomino Valley. The info may help us find “authorities” who can (or humane groups) look into the problem of the horses with no protection and things.It is long, but it may be worth reading:
Wild Horse and Burro Preparation and Adoption Center at Palomino Valley, The National Wild Horse and Burro Center at Palomino Valley (PVC) is about 20 miles north of Sparks, Nevada, off Pyramid Highway, State Road 445. It is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM’s) largest wild horse and burro adoption and preparation center, with a capacity to hold about 2,000 wild horses and burros. The number of animals at the facility is the greatest during the Nevada gather season which begins about July each year and ends by February the following year. Gathers are only conducted during the summer, fall and winter months to avoid the spring foaling season of wild horses on the public rangelands.
The BLM purchased the 160 acre property when it was a small feedlot operation in what was then a rural area. The facility began operation in June 1977. The original feedlot corrals are now the core for sorting, veterinarian care and small pen areas. Small pens are especially useful for separating animals from different herds in various stages of veterinary care. The large outside corrals were added in the early 1990s and primarily hold the bulk of animals that are ready to be offered for adoption.
Interpretive panels outside the main entry gates are available for viewing 24 hours a day. These panels provide the history of wild horses in the West and details on how to adopt a wild horse or burro. Visitors may also drive around the perimeter of the facility on a dirt road to view the animals currently at the facility.
To schedule an appointment to adopt an animal at PVC, please call (775) 475-2222 or e-mail Tim Green at Timothy_Green@blm.gov. Facility hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
Directions: PVC is located approximately 20 miles north of Reno/Sparks, Nevada. From Interstate 80, take Exit 18, Pyramid Way, State Road 445, north about 20 miles to Ironwood Road. Turn east on Ironwood to reach the facility.
December 13, 2009 at 11:07 pm
“Closed Sundays” I wonder what horrors happen there on Sundays!
If American hospitals are not fully staffed on weekends, I can only imagine what happens or doesn’t happen that should at these facilities on Sundays!
December 13, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I just sent info to Animal’s Angels via their email along with the long blurb (above) re Palomino Valley. are the horses at Palomino Valley facility? Or where are they? ARe they in temporary pens somewhere without shelter?
December 13, 2009 at 11:19 pm
here are Spca # in Northern Nevada: SPCA of Northern Nevada-775-324-7773
And Reno Humane Society- 775-856-2000,
I will be calling both numbers tomorrow, to see what, if anything, they know or can do about this,
I know the AC and Humane Societies in IL investigate any complaint about neglect, which not providing adequate shelter is, I want to know what Nevada’s guidelines are for horses.
December 13, 2009 at 11:26 pm
The captions under the pictures say they are from Palomino Valley, so the is in Nevada,
December 13, 2009 at 10:50 pm |
Wow! Talk about canned remarks!Geez! It must be nice. WE are paying them for this?
December 13, 2009 at 10:51 pm
If responses are same from both Senators, ya gotta wonder who drafted, when, and especially WHY ALL PARTIES RECEIVED THE SAME CANNED RESPONSE! I CALL IT STONEWALLING.
December 13, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I call it disgusting, we elected these people, they are supposed to work for us, serve OUR interests, and this is the response we get, Unbelievable!!!!!!
December 13, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Thanks for the numbers to call, JF. I would not be surprised if BLM or the Slaughter group have done some silly thing like send out what they want said to those who do not have the inclination to find out for themselves. Mar
December 13, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Excuse me, Jan E, thanks for the numbers!!!! Mar
December 13, 2009 at 11:45 pm |
Thanks, je, for the SPCA and Reno Humane Society phone numbers.
December 13, 2009 at 11:43 pm |
I promised myself I would take the day off today, not look at the computer, not look at the horror I knew I would find here. But I couldn’t and I now sit here and cry and ask why?
December 13, 2009 at 11:57 pm |
Kathy, take a couple days and emerge when the hearing has had a chance to start. We all feel like you and we all must get some sanity and good feelings back
in order to keep going. Jo Bunny is doing it right now. She told me she met Nelson!! He is a mustang who was rescued and lives in NY state. There is a video about him that we had here a while back. He is beautiful. Take care, Mar
December 14, 2009 at 1:35 am |
thankyou
December 14, 2009 at 2:34 pm |
yes, i agree, mar! we DO need to take a moment, breathe, & regain some sanity & good feelings back into our hearts. i find that, while writing/calling/screaming/dealing with the evil ones, i also needed a spiritual break this week. crying snot into my horse’s mane has been therapeutic, but i needed a creative outlet as well. for some reason, HORSE HAIKU came to mind. google horse haiku & see what you get! it’s great fun to read what others have written, but even more fun to create your own. here’s one by matsuo basho (1694 – 1694)….
sleep on horseback,
the far moon in a continuing dream,
steam of roasting tea.
…..& one i wrote in honor of my handsome boy, dudley
black horse in white snow
run- roll – paw snow – kick up hooves!
soft lips – ice sparkles
i hope that you will find your own “spiritual break” through all of this, whatever it is that speaks to you. rejuvenate. refresh. revive. revitalize. we are ALL going to need it! we have a long road to go to help save our wild horses & we need to be on top of our game to stay the course. be well, my friends.
December 14, 2009 at 4:34 am |
Don’t forget to ask to speak with the legislative assistants in your Senators’ offices. They do the real work from what I understand.
December 14, 2009 at 5:39 pm |
Jackson Browne and Sheryl Crow on tour
http://www.jacksonbrowne.com/tour
December 14, 2009 at 6:09 pm |
has jackson joined the bandwagon & joined the call to stop the wild horse & burro roundups??????
December 14, 2009 at 8:28 pm |
hope so. . . after a month touring with Sheryl Crow I wonder if he has any choice!!! lol
Maybe I’ll try to send him a message on FAcebook or something. Judging from his past songs, I would guess his heart is “already there.”
I thought this was a good addition to the haiku, since they are touring in Japan.
December 15, 2009 at 12:28 am
P.S. JAPAN is one of the biggest fans of horsemeat for human consumption according to Steven Long.
December 15, 2009 at 8:01 pm |
Jackson B would be our friend for sure. Sounds like a show I will miss. mar
December 14, 2009 at 7:37 pm |
I’m so tired of talking to people on the phone who just don’t seem to have the information you’re looking for. “Well, ma’am, I’m sorry, that’s not my department. I can give you the number for the person you need to talk to.” Well, that’s what I was trying to find out. “No ma’am, you called me.” No, you answered the phone and when I started asking the easy questions you said “we” when they get a little harder all of a sudden you just don’t seem to know anything.
December 14, 2009 at 8:30 pm |
Who have you talked to? Government? BLM They are good at passing people around.
December 15, 2009 at 12:52 am
You know a funny thing is, it took him a looong time to mention that the person I needed to talk to was from the BLM. The one that made me mad today was a wild horse and burro guy. Actually he gave me some information that I wasn’t aware of. Well, maybe because I wouldn’t have thought something so ridiculous. To adopt a wild horse you only need 400 sq. feet of space. I’ve lived in apartments bigger than that and I lived in a trailer with a yard bigger than that. My whole reason for not adopting one is because I didn’t think I had enough room! I think it would be cruel to keep one on my just under an acre.
December 14, 2009 at 9:46 pm |
Who is K. McCovey, above, that took the above photos? How can they be reached?
December 14, 2009 at 10:07 pm |
Contact Washoe County Animal c/o
jrobison@washoecounty.us
(Jerry–female)
She will forward to officer — I tried to reach but was on hold so I asked for officer’s email & she said send “AS MUCH AS YOU CAN” to her.
I am sending now.
December 15, 2009 at 12:36 am |
Just contacted her by email, Thanks for the info, when I’m at work, I can’t access the blog at all,
Any other news?????
December 15, 2009 at 12:42 am
Sfar as I know, she received the report and photos. I asked her to contact me if she had any trouble with the transmission. Hopefully they will take a look at things — sent them the contact info at Palomino Valley BLM. Even a phone call from an officer or a “friendly visit” or drive through — even if they just stopped by and asked if they needed help sheltering the horses. . . anything would be better than. . . . silence. . . .
December 15, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Recontacted Jerry this a.m.; asked her if she had received; she had and had forwarded to Officer Hughes. She also fowarded my reminder of this a.m. to Officer Hughes. My reminder included, “Thank you for all you do for our wonderful animals.”
OK, also — if words fail you — how about this (more words which are synonyms for “offensive”)
http://www.visualthesaurus.com/landing/?ad=tdc.small&utm_medium=small&utm_campaign=VT&utm_source=tdc&word=offensive&lang=en
December 14, 2009 at 10:29 pm |
Just sent email including above photos and info on Palomino Valley and the roundup (only the pertinent facts) to email, above.
Prior to this, called SPCA, who suggested I call Nevada Humane Society (phone #above, under Reno Humane Society) but they referred me to the Washoe County Regional Animal Service via recorded messages, for all neglect cases. Waiting to hear via email from their office. Will post response, if any!
December 14, 2009 at 11:01 pm |
Prior to that I sent a “test” email to make sure their email address worked. Got this reply:
“I received the test.
Jerri Robison, Office Assistant II
Washoe County Regional Animal Services
775-353-8904
jrobison@washoecounty.us
http://www.washoecounty.us/animal
December 14, 2009 at 11:02 pm |
Here’s the website of the Washoe County Animal:
http://www.washoecounty.us/animal
They received my “test” email (sent prior to the report & photos)
December 15, 2009 at 12:31 am |
Martin Griffith’s article has 52 comments!
December 15, 2009 at 12:46 am |
Some of the comments were very good; I just emailed Jerry at Washoe County w/the Martin griffith article information. SOme of the comments are from eye witnesses of the facility and the conditions these horses are in right now, hopefully, somethins will happen,
December 15, 2009 at 12:57 am
One thing I asked the WH&B guy was about the lack of shelter and he told me that in the wild they have no shelter. He was all full of this “we” information until I started asking questions like, if they only need 400 sq feet how come 1,000 acres per horse is over crowding. Then it was “I’m not the person you need to talk to, I really don’t know anything about that.”
December 15, 2009 at 1:22 am
There are natural windbreaks in the wild and the horses find them, thing is, they’ve been taken out of the wild and are now under the BLM care, so that means to me, that the BLM is responsible for providing them w/adequate shelter.
The 400 square foot pen, is only temporary, until they get used to their new home, and new owner, it is not meant to be permanent, and an acre would be heaven for these guys now that they have lost they’re wild home. Especially if you go to the BLM internet adoption site and see all the yearlings that are listed as “born in a holding facility.” these poor babies have only known being locked up w/ a bunch of other horses. Please don’t think that an acre is too small to provide a good home to a horse. I know of horses who NEVER get let loose to run. they spend their lives in a stall in a barn. that too is not how horses were meant to live.
December 15, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Yes, je — check out the carriage horse article on Animal Law Coalition website. It just breaks your heart. there is a petition and a chance to write for all New Yorkers who wish to speak up against this issue! These horses never get turned out, many spend their lives in “tie” stalls (!!!) and work 355 days a year or something — lack of adequate shoeing, water, etc. Filthy stable conditions. No legislation with any “teeth.”
Bloomberg doesn’t do anything about it; and ALC is supporting a councilman (Avila)for the Mayors job.
December 15, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I hope these horses will be fortunate enough to be returned to the wild, ASAP. mar
December 15, 2009 at 11:18 pm |
Janet, I did see the carriage horse article, the NY ASPCA is supposed to monitor stuff like this, where are they?????
December 15, 2009 at 2:13 am |
There are no other words to say except this makes me wanna curse up a storm. What a filthy, evil liar Don Glenn is along with every member of that Advisory Board. They all sat there with stupid grins on their faces all day long knowing Mustangs were being brutally rounded up behind our backs. Then at the end of the day, they priviledged us with 3 minutes of comment time per person, while under their hideous breath chuckled to each other that none of our words, passion or demands would mean one tiny bit to the grand plan being played out as we spoke. “Stupid fools” I am sure they uttered in whisper to each other. “They have no idea”.
I am so angry. I wish I could have my 3 minutes of comment time to do over. I wish I could approach Don Glenn and his band of greedy Mustang killers again like I did after dinner on Monday. I would not be polite this time. I would NOT abide by the rules of fair play during public comment. The BLM, the Advisory Board and their good ol’ buddies are breaking every rule & law they possibly can with no consequences the average citizen would face.
We cannot have a defeatest attitude, I know. This news makes it ridiculously hard not to lose my heart. I have seen people working 10, 15, 20 or more years on the issue of Mustang and Burro preservation. Perserverence is the key. How do we keep going in this fight if there are no Mustangs to save anymore?
Wednesday is the hearing in Federal Court on the Calico Mountain Complex roundup. I know Craig Downer will be testifying along with Denize from In Defense of Animals. Dear God, I pray for Divine intervention. We need the help only You can provide Lord.
December 15, 2009 at 12:59 pm |
morgan’s back!! your voice has been missed, fellow warrioress!
December 15, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I know! I was startled to see “Morgan Williams” again! And glad! Another smile event.
December 15, 2009 at 4:32 pm |
Yes, Morgan, they are totally deceitful and duplicitous! And I agree that we need to PRAY for everyone on the plaintiffs’ side as IDA and Craig Downer go to court tomorrow. They need divine guidance as well as intervention.
December 15, 2009 at 6:59 pm |
Morgan- Good to see your voice. I know it hurts your heart to have such angry thoughts at another “human being”, but it is was it is. There is one thing I can’t stand in people, dishonesty. I feel we were all stabbed in the back, I guess if its okay to do to our horses, then why not to us? We are all praying someday they will see the light and see fit to deal with us in an honest forthright manner, until then… we just keep praying.
December 15, 2009 at 2:27 am |
ALERT ALERT
Calling all advocates!
Go to the “comments” on the Griffiths article and VOTE DOWN
VivaViagra guy — he is “top poster” and is an IMBECILE!!!!
It’s 52 to 41 IN FAVOR OF THIS IDIOT!
All that is needed is 12 “thumbs down” to vote him down! ALERT ALERT ALERT
December 15, 2009 at 2:45 pm |
man. what a lot of hate & stupidity in the comments in that list. by the time i got there, vivaviagra guy had something like 41 thumbs down & he was still up there. blecch.
December 15, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I voted a thumbs down on Vivaviagra a while back. Have to chuckle though–doesn’t his “name” say it all!
December 15, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Wishful thinking — esp. the part “may cause blindness.”
Oh, how awful a person I am. . . .
P.S. One might also consider putting “thumbs up” on all the “good” comments, however, one must think of one’s own life and what one must accomplish before Christmas.
December 15, 2009 at 11:19 pm
Yes, his name is a pretty good tip off as to what kind of guy he is, insecure as heck!!!!
December 15, 2009 at 3:26 am |
ICK! ICK! ICK! Okay, that was my swearing you just heard. I can’t write what I really really want to. What in the blazes is this????? A “gather” without due process???? And to boot those corrals aren’t even prepared to shelter the horses the BLM stole from their lands. In the wild those horses at least can snuggle up to each other, get out of the wind by hiding in the trees.
I am so angry I could just scream and never stop.
I’ll be writing the Pres tomorrow.
Margaret
December 15, 2009 at 3:56 am |
Talking to BLM makes no sense whatsoever. Maybe a National Call In Day for the Mustangs where the White House phone boards lit up would get the attention of the Pres concerning the Dept of Interior and this renegade BLM?
Any other creative thoughts?
December 15, 2009 at 1:31 pm |
“Mustang Pride” parade where we pull out all the stops. Wear horse costumes, make noises, wear giant stilletto cowboy boots! Carry large garish posters, prance!
Is this a non-politically correct comment? Sorry if I offended anyone. But here we are in this great United States. Everyone is marching for everything! We need to
MARCH ON WASHINGTON! RATHER: EXTENDED TROT!!!
December 15, 2009 at 4:20 pm |
If anybody figures out “what to do next” maybe the author of the “ongoing series on wild horses” in the Virginia City News, above, may be able to announce it in one of their upcoming articles!
December 15, 2009 at 4:18 am |
Not to minimize anything but maybe we all need a smile here. My daughter and I were making up riddles and, bear with me, she’s 9 and as we like to say is not “punny” at all.
What did the Cow say to the horse?
Mooove over so I can steal your land.
What did the horse say to the cow?
Whinny pigs fly!
December 15, 2009 at 12:58 pm |
that’s GREAT, laura!!! we needed that humorous break. thanks for that!!!
December 15, 2009 at 1:27 pm |
Definitely brings a smile! A rueful one, at that! Good work!
December 15, 2009 at 1:34 pm |
When I was your daughter’s age, I began a book about a stallion that lived in Montana! His name was “Autumn Gold.” I used pencil and a legal pad for my book. I didn’t know anything about wild horses except that they existed! In about 41 years your daughter will be my age. I hope she will still be fighting for the wild ones! There is a long way to go.
December 15, 2009 at 10:09 pm |
My daughter has to do a science fair project for 4th grade and she’s going to grow “horse poo” and “cow poo” to see which one is better for the ecological balance of the range. Her teacher jumped at the idea but he’s making her say manure instead of poo.
December 15, 2009 at 4:30 am |
I seem to be completely blocked from posting on this site – maybe this one will go through without “your comment is waiting moderation”.
I want you all to know – we are still together. BLM keeps doing these dirty tricks and strenghtening our resolve more than ever.
Our vison every day of the horses running free in their homes under the protectin of S 1579 and 1971 Act, and our hearts will be light knowing the captured ones have been returned to their 20 millions acres, living with natural predation, and no more helicopters or running into chutes. And Vision the successful outcome of the court hearings that start this Wednesday.
Yes, lets do another National Call in day! I missed the last one, I was out of town and out of contact.
I have written today to every cabinet member, every White hourse staff, Congress, and select subcommittees, Obama, Michelle, and Biden, and will do so every day this week of this outrage!
December 15, 2009 at 1:36 pm |
here’s an interesting article…..wild horses in florida elude capture….
http://www.examiner.com/x-25445-West-Palm-Beach-Horse-Rescue-Examiner~y2009m12d13-Wild-horses-in-Kissimmee-elude-capture-by-South-Florida-Water-Management-District
i wonder what kind of “adoption” process they will have for these horses?
December 15, 2009 at 1:46 pm |
maybe they will be adopted by alligators.
December 15, 2009 at 2:57 pm
what i’m worried about is the killer buyers buying them for the slaughter market…..there’s just been so much press about the horses slaughtered for burgers & steaks in florida lately…..
December 15, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Very true– I’m pretty sure there are some in my state, too.
There are all sorts of “trail” people (Ozark Trail, etc.) out there. I wonder if they might be interested in becoming part of the wild horse coalition or whatever we are.
December 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm |
I read this story the other day, I couldn’t help but snicker. I know the horses are laughing! RUN, RUN, RUN LIKE THE WIND!!!!!!!!
December 15, 2009 at 1:38 pm |
NOTE: HERE’S A LINK TO VIRGINIA CITY NEWS “NO MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR WILD HORSES”.
THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES!!! ISN’T THAT GREAT!
http://virginiacitynews.com/
MY COMPUTER CAN’T FOLLOW THE LINK POSTED, ABOVE BY THE CLOUD FOUNDATION FOR VIRGINIA CITY NEWS ARTICLE.
December 15, 2009 at 7:13 pm |
After reading the Virginia City article and the comments, I was glad to see so many people were outraged and not afraid to show it. Look at how many kind people are simply uninformed of what is going on “out there”. Hopefully, the next articles will educate and rally support for our horses!
VIVA EL CABALLO!!!
I am renewed… again…
December 15, 2009 at 5:09 pm |
Freedom Anyone?
America stands for freedom except when it comes to the BLM and their management of the wild mustangs that compete with the blood crop of beef.
If you want to help the mustangs remain free, which is the equitable right of One or all, America, the land of the free: Boycott Beef!
We can’t fight city hall, the government, or BLM, or the agribusiness of beef, we don’t need to fight for freedom, but we can choose wisely what we eat.
Ecconomic sanctions will free the wild west again, America, the mustangs, what is truly meant to be.
=
MJA
December 15, 2009 at 6:07 pm |
By the way, click on “shooting death of 6 federally protected mustangs” on the aboveCloud Foundation article. Note how Dearing throws this in the face of advocates —
He is BLAIMING ADVOCATES FOR THIS SHOOTING!
He is throwing fuel on the fire.
Dearing should be called out on this one! And not in the paper, in person. With letters. Snail Mail.
December 15, 2009 at 8:36 pm |
All of this is to buy time and allow the plan to go forward.
December 15, 2009 at 7:28 pm |
I found this proverb and needed to share it with all my equine brethren it made me cry… again…
I am your equal. I am a wild creature that can never be like you. I have heart, courage, and the game spirit that is my heritage, and I will be respected. I will be taught, and I will please, and maybe in time I will be your intimate.
But I will never be your possession.
Mine is a fierce love, which knows no mercy for failure. No sympathy for weakness. I have come from the desert with its closeness to the spirit of nature which you do not understand. I was born of the Wind, mine is a warrior spirit. I cannot be humiliated in punishment or defeated even in death. For my spirit lives on in my children’s children.”
-Namibian proverb
December 15, 2009 at 8:00 pm |
Precious.
December 18, 2009 at 6:40 pm |
I just copied and pasted that one to keep!
December 15, 2009 at 9:28 pm |
Roxy would be here but she is accidently blocked from commenting… Makendra knows but it has not been fixed yet. She wants you to know She is with you.
I was knocked off line for over 24 hours from our snowstorm so am trying to catch up…. mar
December 15, 2009 at 11:30 pm |
I just looked around the BLM site for the Calico Complex Roundup:
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/national.html It seems they are working hard at their PR nowadays. When I read some of this stuff (like the Harper’s article too) it gets my back up Here are 2 Editorials that popped up “In The News” that definitely need some comment input from many of you good people:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20091209/OPED01/912090386/Editorial–Wild-horse-advocates-aren/-t-doing-the-animals-any-favors-Reno Gazette
http://trib.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_af70c792-a686-5dfd-b411-1f7ad6dcb0f2.html-Caspar Tribune
December 16, 2009 at 11:35 am |
I just read an article from a BLM publicity page about the possibility of sending mustangs to Virginia. Here is a Tom Gorey quote-
Some of the “extra” horses removed from the range could come to preserves in the East, he said, because years of drought have reduced the amount of grassland in the West.
“They’d be in a location where you don’t expect to see wild horses,” Gorey said. “These preserves would make horses available for adoption. Maybe we could draw some of the Misty of Chincoteague crowd.”
http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/virginia-may-be-home-wests-wild-horses
Do you think we should send him a copy of Marguerite Henry’s “Mustang,
Spirit of the West”! Being one of the “Misty of Chincoteague crowd” I will find his address and send him a paperback.
December 16, 2009 at 1:31 pm |
Oh boy. Here we go.
December 16, 2009 at 1:52 pm |
quel idiot. i cannot believe that gorey is the blm spokesman. every time he opens his mouth he says something that is even stupider than what he said before. sheesh.
December 16, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Kinda reminds me of a certain former president we had not so long ago.
December 16, 2009 at 6:08 pm |
That spokesman (also BLM employee) interviewed in the shooting death link article, above (TCF post) also seem to be bend on fanning the fires of hatred against the equine advocate public — he almost blames the shootings on the “issues” brought forward by the advocates!! As if the advocates were creating the climate that allowed these shootings!
I say, if you read any detective/crime stuff; it is usually the FIRST ONE TO DISCOVER THE BODY that is most suspect; not the LAST ONE TO SEE THEM ALIVE!
December 16, 2009 at 8:05 pm |
Horseback magazine has the link to the BLM spin machine. It is
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro/national/news.html
December 16, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Hmmmm. Only show organizations which sent them letters of support. Very (naus)interesting. Also, I note they are blaming the advocates for the horses’ problems (“advocates not helping”).
December 16, 2009 at 6:15 pm |
An email to MRS. Pickens
12/16/2009
Dear Madeleine,
Regarding you email promoting a change of management:
Thanks for your efforts to help the wild mustangs in the west. But with all due respect, the problemi is not how we manage nature, the mustangs, the wild, the west, it is that we manage the wild at all. The management of the wild, destroys the wildness, no matter the changes you champion or your good intent. If anything at all is in need of management, it would be only the destructive nature of our over managing selves.
As you know America is the land of the free. And as we manage the freedom of the mustangs away, of nature away, of the wild of the west away, we lose our freedom ourselves, we lose America. There is nothing more true than the equitable unity or Oneness or All. The best management of nature is no management at all. Nature has her own balance, and it is only mankind and his arrogance that tips nature in the most unhealthy and destructive of Ways.
If anything is in need of management, it is the obvious 6.5 billion mankinds and growing; and that Dear Madeleine is simply a matter of Ones’ own self control.
=
MJA
December 16, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
11:00 AM 12/16,09 I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH SARA TUCKER FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMITTEE. It is ONE phone call that was returned from the hundreds I have made. The ROAM ACT (Restore Our American Mustang) S 1579 presently sits in that committee. She just told me that when the ROAM ACT came up in a meeting the other day, none of the Senators asked that it come up for a vote. NO ONE EXPRESSED ANY INTEREST IN IT MOVING FORWARD. I asked what we need to do to get a Congressional investigation of the BLM. As I write this the BLM is going against the law…doing round ups without notice..with out RECORDS OF DECISION…without a 30 day notice for public comment..which never seems to matter anyway. We all, tens of thousands of people, appealing to our elected officials…are NOT BEING HEARD. The BLM ADVISORY BOARD meetings are a sham. The one I sat thru (Sept. 2009 Arlington, VA) gave the BLM a platform to expound lies one after another. But when the public comment period came up…we were given 120 seconds to express our solutions. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS….THEY DO NOT CARE WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS. They use the Advisory Board Meetings as a cover to pretend that they care….The BLM is going ahead with THEIR agenda…to manage these wild horse herds to extinction. They are moving at “break neck speed” to remove all the horses they can. It is the dead of winter…and they are doing round ups without any consideration of the effect it does to the horses. They (the BLM) are having conference calls among themselves (obtained thru FOIA) planning how they can get under the radar of our lawmakers and NEPA as to how they can get these wild horses off their designated range ……and sell them to slaughter for the European market.(obtained thru FOIA documents) We, as Wild Horse Advocates have been trying, thru the channels of our government elected officials to have our voices be heard…for the horses. BUT WE ARE BEING IGNORED. THE BLM IS A RUNAWAY AGENCY THAT HAS TO BE STOPPED. How do we do this??????????…….This is when the seeds of Civil Disobedience are born. Has anyone out there got any ideas how our voices can be heard before the BLM rounds up all of our wild horses???????????????????…………..ONCE THE HORSES ARE GONE…THEY ARE GONE FOR ETERNITY…..AND EVERY MINUTE THAT PASSES…ANOTHER WILD HORSE IS ROUNDED UP, CASTRATED, GIVEN BIRTH CONTROL, SOLD FOR SLAUGHTER OR EUTHANIZED. This is not fiction……CALL OIG TO PROTEST:
U.S. Department of the Interior – Office of Inspector General Office Locations- Washington, D.C. 20240
Hotline: D.C. Area: 202-208-5300 or Toll Free: 800-424-5081
December 16, 2009 at 8:06 pm |
golde w, Civil disobedience takes rehearsal and trust. people have to learn how it works and how to do it. I have been warned we are being watched and not to mention it. But I believe it is a very influential option. There are some people with experience in it like Darryl Hannah. My urgency is akin to yours. We have not been able to do all we might and should. There is no time left. We need to be in the field. I have no idea where to get money. I had hoped that Madeleine Pickens would fund a small group to be at every roundup to photograph and get info first hand to the public and press. We are poor people and we do not have the money to be where we are needed most. We have to keep trying.
We could be asking Madeleine to help get people in the field? What do you say ladies? And by the way, civil disobedience is not illegal or wrong and it changed this country and many others. mar
December 16, 2009 at 11:11 pm
When the BLM sells horses on the Internet, how can they be sure they will not go to killer buyers? There is no followup period. Do they still check them after a year?
The States have some say in all this. If I am not mistaken, they have a great deal of power. . . if they would use it.
December 16, 2009 at 11:21 pm
BLM has made it very easy and convenient for people to buy the horses. I do not think it matters to them where they go. They had been selling geldings by the truckload. Many adoption Rules have just been ignored or repealed to make it easier to be rid of as many horses and burros as possible.
States have say in many things such as 2 or 3 acres is needed per horse if you want to have them in zoned areas. Three acres in Illinois and Connecticut. mar
December 16, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Actually in IL. at least where I live, and also In Indiana, it is the county that determines acreage needed to have horses.
Is it possible to start a class action lawsuit against the BLM and the misuse of OUR lands and tax money, does anyone have the contact information for the Law Firm involved in the IDA lawsuit? I would be glad to contact them to see if this is a viable option, as it seems like emailing, calling and letter-writing is getting nowhere.
I received this interesting tidbit of information from another Animal Cause site, it seems that Obama , in his first year, has a worse record of helping endangered species than Bush!!!! 2 plants!!!! that’s it!!
One of the reasons I voted for him was that I thought he would be an advocate for animals. I guess I was wrong,
I have had not one response from all the letters and emails I have sent to the WH.
I am very disillusioned w/this administration.
December 17, 2009 at 12:12 am |
There are some people putting a class action suit together. I will try to find them. IDA did have contact info posted, I believe… There was something for donations we just had up a few days or a week back. mar
December 17, 2009 at 6:20 am |
Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney
1700 K Street, N.W., Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006-3807
T: 202 452 7900
December 18, 2009 at 6:17 pm |
I am just throwing this out here. Salazar may be working Illegally according to the Constitution:
From a Washington state horse warrior….
http://www.judicialwatch.org/
“But according to Article I, section 6 of the U.S. Constitution (known as the “Ineligibility Clause”): “No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time.”
This clause is an absolute prohibition and the Constitution does not allow for any exceptions. Now, it is a matter of fact, as noted in Judicial Watch’s court filings, that “the ‘compensation and other emoluments’ of the office of the U.S. Secretary of State increased during Mrs. Clinton’s tenure in the U.S. Senate, including as many as three times during the second, six-year term to which she was elected.”
Therefore, according to the Constitution, Hillary Clinton cannot serve as Secretary of State. This should have been case closed, but then Congress got involved.
In an attempt to get around the “Ineligibility Clause,” Congress voted to “roll back” compensation for the position of Secretary of State to the level in effect on January 1, 2007. However, as we’ve noted in our complaint, “This [fix] does not and cannot change the historical fact that the ‘compensation and other emoluments’ of the office of the U.S. Secretary of State increased during Mrs. Clinton’s tenure in the U.S. Senate.”
With respect to the issue of standing, you can read our court filing for the complete response. But, in a nutshell, Judicial Watch contends that Mr. Rodearmel “has demonstrated that he is being injured in his employment by being required to serve under, take direction from, and report to a constitutionally ineligible superior, Mrs. Clinton” and that he has “been placed in a position where he either must violate his oath of office or risk substantial, adverse consequences to his employment.”
Mr. Rodearmel’s goal here is nothing less than the vindication of the U.S. Constitution. The “Ineligibility Clause,” may be seen by this administration as a nuisance, but it was designed by our Founding Fathers to protect against corruption, limit the size of government, and ensure the separation of powers among the three branches of government.
On far too many occasions, the “Ineligibility Clause” has been ignored in favor of political expediency. And President Obama may have set a record for constitutionally “ineligible” presidential appointments. In addition to Hillary Clinton, at least two other Obama appointees — Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Army Secretary John McHugh — are also ineligible to serve in their positions under the “Ineligibility Clause.” We hope the Supreme Court assumes jurisdiction over this matter and puts a stop to these end-runs around the Constitution.”
Judicial Watch is a non-partisan, educational foundation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. Judicial Watch is dedicated to fighting government and judicial corruption and promoting a return to ethics and morality in our nation’s public life.
mjwilson4978 Wiki Page
We might have to take Hilary off the payroll to get to Salazar… Mar
December 18, 2009 at 7:39 pm |
Very interesting! That suit could open a huge and far-reaching “can of worms!”
December 19, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Okay, I’ll either e-mail or send the link plus quotes to Horseback Magazine/Steven Long via regular mail. He is a gifted interviewer and writer who can lead someone into a “gotcha” moment rather casually. I’d love to hear what his “anonymous attorney” friend has to say about this Ineligibility Clause. I think he was correct on the need for the “right” group of attorneys to argue for the 1971 Act.
December 20, 2009 at 12:23 am
Thanks Karen, I do correspond with Steven Long and the last time I gave him something for Horse talk it took about 12 hours to get it to him… Mar
December 18, 2009 at 7:47 pm |
Maybe we should let Rt have this? He went after slaughter house Sue… mar
December 18, 2009 at 8:57 pm
What about Laura Allen (Animal Law Coalition)
December 19, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Give it to Steven Long!
December 18, 2009 at 8:47 pm |
Maybe somebody should “copy and paste” this sucker onto Ken Salazar’s and the White House’s Facebook pages under New Topic under Discussions (found under Boxes tab).
I have put my comments there before. Lately on Ian Tyson’s Facebook. Whereever you can think of. I posted the Laura Leigh video on Ian Tysons and Ken Salazar’s Facebook under Discussions.
December 19, 2009 at 4:48 pm |
Please, any of you, send it to Steven Long, RT, Laura Allen. I am not online with a good signal and it takes an hour to move stuff and I lose things all the time. It is very frustrating. DO NOT HESITATE TO TAKE THIS INFO AND SPREAD IT AROUND.
mar
December 18, 2009 at 7:41 pm |
Unbelievable!
December 19, 2009 at 8:22 am |
CANT THESE PHOTOS OF FREEZING COLD MARES AND BABIES BE POSTED ON OTHER WEBSITES AND SENT TO NEWS MEDIA OUTLETS – MY GOD, WHEN IS TORTURE GOING TO STOP, WHEN THEY HAVE ALL FROZEN TO DEATH – IT JUST MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL THAT THE AVERAGE AMERICAN WHO WOULD NOT EVEN LEAVE THEIR DOG OUT IN SUCH WEATHER HAS NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF OUR WILD HORSES
December 19, 2009 at 4:50 pm |
I have one that came from Vicki Tobin that she wants us to use. All would be better. I would ask about it. This was the photographer that TCF and others know. Mar
December 23, 2009 at 5:50 am |
[…] December 7th. The day of the BLM National Advisory Board in Reno was bitterly cold with temperatures below zero. Snows blanketed the frozen landscape for as […]
December 24, 2009 at 12:55 am |
just got email frm anouther group – federal judge in nevada has oked roundup after christmas – could people go there and protest – probably blm would shoot them
December 24, 2009 at 12:58 am |
i had emailed the freezing horses to the humane society – and they called me yesterday – told man that the blm is after to eliminate the horses and they are suffering abuse and he said that salazar does not listen to any animal humane group and that he was appalled because they are allowing shooting of wolves in idaho by helicopter which he said is totally illegal
December 24, 2009 at 1:09 am |
I hear they did something similar to what BLM does and it is a chance to show up and object. like if you are local. They have done that for roundups. It is not illegal as far as I know, it was OK’d by states.
Did he say if the foals were OK? Has anyone seen them? mar
December 24, 2009 at 1:20 am |
one more email i got today was appalling – cant post here but the white house christmas tree – the big one – i thot they said on the news that several thousand children had made the ornaments and sent to white house – yet on the tree is an ornament with mao se tung on it – this is one of nancy pelosi heroes
you can probably google it and find the picture
January 22, 2010 at 2:30 am |
I can’t get past the actual fact of going out and cutting down such a grand old tree to begin with, much less what ornaments are on it.
December 24, 2009 at 1:24 am |
Seems that facebook could become a place for a rallying point for all horse lovers and others that want to save our wild horeses – seems everyone i know uses it
December 24, 2009 at 6:19 am |
THO I HAVE JUST HAVE HAD CHANCE TO READ THIS SEGMENT (ON 12/23/09), I HAVE SIGNED & SENT PRIOR PETITIONS TO THE PRESIDENT TO STOP ALL FURTHER ROUNDUPS AND CRUELTY TO THESE MAGNIFICANT BEASTS. IT IS HORRIFYING TO SEE THE RESULTS OF SUCH UNCARING, ARROGANT, AND BLIND WORK. HORSES ARE WONDERFUL ANIMALS AND WHERE WOULD AMERICA HAVE BEEN WITHOUT BURROS AND WILD HORSES?
WHERE HAVE THE BLM MEMBERS BEEN? WHAT HAVE THEY REALLY CONTRIBUTED? THE HORSES/BURROS WIN!!! (THE WRONG CREATURES WERE ROUNDED UP AND ARE IN THE PENS–HA HA!).
REGARDLESS OF WHAT MAY RESULT FROM CASE TO CASE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO PURSE THE BETTERMENT OF OUR WILD HORSE/BURRO FRIENDS AND NOT ALLOW THE BLINDSIDED ACTIONS OF BLM TO DISCOURAGE US, THO IT DOES BRING TEARS TO LOVING PEOPLE AND TEMPORARILY SHAKE US.! WE MUST BELIEVE IN AND WORK FOR A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THEM.
OVER AND OVER—JUST HOW CRUEL CAN THESE BLM WORKERS AND AFFILIATES GET?
THANKS.
CINDY STUART
March 3, 2012 at 5:58 am |
riddim|version|riddims…
[…]Stealth Roundup Conducted by BLM while Advocates Sat in Advisory Board Meeting «[…]…