Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses Obama-Biden

The Humane Society ^ | 9/22/08 | Mike Markarian

[Elvina]

One of the guiding principles of the Humane Society Legislative Fund is that we evaluate candidates based on a single criterion: where they stand on animal protection policies. ...

While we've endorsed hundreds of congressional candidates for election, both Democrats and Republicans, we've never before endorsed a presidential candidate. We have members on the left, in the center, and on the right, and we knew it could be controversial to choose either party's candidate for the top office in the nation. But in an era of sweeping presidential power, we must weigh in on this most important political race in the country. Standing on the sidelines is no longer an option for us.

I'm proud to announce today that the HSLF board of directors -- which is comprised of both Democrats and Republicans -- has voted unanimously to endorse Barack Obama for President. The Obama-Biden ticket is the better choice on animal protection, and we urge all voters who care about the humane treatment of animals, no matter what their party affiliation, to vote for them.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has been a solid supporter of animal protection at both the state and federal levels. As an Illinois state senator, he backed at least a dozen animal protection laws, including those to strengthen the penalties for animal cruelty, to help animal shelters, to promote spaying and neutering, and to ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. In the U.S. Senate, he has consistently co-sponsored multiple bills to combat animal fighting and horse slaughter, and has supported efforts to increase funding for adequate enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and federal laws to combat animal fighting and puppy mills.

... He also commented on the broader links between animal cruelty and violence in society.

[Mr Rogers]

Just a note - “ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption” has been a disaster for horses. It results in their being bought up for nothing, shipped with minimal humanity to Mexico, shipped with gross abuse from the border to slaughter plants, and then slaughtered with knives, etc.

It has also led to horses being abandoned in the desert. Dying of thirst or killed by coyotes is NOT humane.

Oh well. Another organization to strike from my list of donations.

[brytlea]

HSUS doesn't run any shelters. From their own website:

http://www.hsus.org/pets/animal_shelters/common_questions_about_animal_shelters_and_animal_control.html#If_The_HSUS_does_not_oversee_my_local_an

If The HSUS does not oversee my local animal shelter, what does it do?
For more than a half-century, The HSUS has stood as the nation's most important advocate for local humane societies. Across the country and around the world, we serve local animal shelters and other groups by offering a wealth of publications, training opportunities (such as our annual Animal Care Expo, a trade show and workshop conference specifically designed for animal care and control professionals), and advice and assistance from our team of expert staff. We also publish recommended guidelines for shelter operations, shelter management, and animal control and cruelty

[brytlea]

LOL Pitbulls for Palin! My golden would like to start a golden retriever chapter!
susie

[Beagle8U]

Barack Hussein Obama....Endorsed by the anti-gun lobby AND the anti-hunting lobby.

I hope to see commercials in all the northern swing states about this, just in time for hunting seasons!

[Elvina]

This is the photo from the above article. Does that make you LOL or what?

[ProudFossil]

This is a copy of the e-mail I just sent to this disgusting group:

I find your organization to be one of the most hypocritical groups in the United States today. Your endorsement of a person who has legislated for infanticide is disgusting. I ask a very simple question.
Would you rather vote for a person who protects babies and kills animals or a person who kills babies and protects animals?
At this time we have two rescue dogs from the Humane Society as pets and we have contributed to the local chapter several times. Never again.

[rintense]

Here is my letter to them:

To whom it may concern:

I am extremely disappointed and saddened that you have chosen to endorse a political candidate for President. As a lifelong contributor to local humane societies, caring for animals knows no political party. As for your attacks on Sarah Palin, you fail to mention that wildlife management is essential in parts of Alaska, as well as other states. The picture you included of Sarah Palin and a bloodied Caribou is the worst kind of propaganda. You fail to mention she used the meat to feed her family.

My Grand Aunt, (name), was a member of the Michigan ASPCA, and responsible for many wonderful acts of kindness toward animals, including being a huge catalyst behind the first Humane Slaughter Bill. And she was a lifelong Republican, as am I. I have risked my life for animals- starting from a very young age. And while I could never hunt an animal, I have nothing but respect for those who do so in a responsible way. As humans, we also have a responsibility to make sure various species do not over populate and ultimately die from starvation. Allowing hunters to participate in the management isn't any more cruel than letting over populated animals starve to death. Living in Michigan, I have seen first hand what happens to deer in the winter if their numbers are too high.

But, with your endorsement of Barack Obama, you haven't just subtly implied that Republicans don't care about animals. You've used the most obvious kind of propaganda to hammer the public over the head. It is unfair. And it is wrong.

As such, I will be rethinking any contributions to the Humane Society, and look for other animal advocate causes that don't use politics to pander to people's emotions.

[hampdenkid]

That is one of the funniest pictures I have ever seen! Obama looks like he’s thinking, “How much longer am I going to have to hold this unclean spawn of Satan?” Talk about not being able to disguise your feelings. I would imagine Minister Obama either threw that suit away or buried it in the backyard.

[brytlea]

The look on his face is one of distaste, and the way he holds the dog makes him look very uncomfortable. This is a man (from the photo) who doesn’t like dogs. Anyone who doesn’t like dogs, in my book, has a problem.
susie

[Elvina]

Great letters! I hope others will do something similar. I sent one this morning. There’s an email address through the link in the article. They won’t change their mind of course, but they need to know they can’t just blindly push this stuff unchallenged. Plus, perhaps there are at least a few individuals in their organization that are still focused on their original mission and could use some back-up.

[Elvina]

“How much longer am I going to have to hold this unclean spawn of Satan?”

ROFL!

[Mr Rogers]

It sounds like it might be more effective to write your local shelter...and let THEM blast HSUS for cutting into their support. After all, it is the local shelters that do the work, not HSUS.

I’ll just give to Arizona Border Collie Rescue instead.

[horse_doc]

“Help! This unclean beast is keeping angels from entering into my house!!!!!!!!!!!”

[Eroteme]

You point out the key issue here: they are not "the Humane Society" as most people think of it. The HSUS deliberately obscures the fact that it has absolutely no affiliation with local Humane Societies. It intentionally uses its very similar name--chosen for obvious reasons--to piggy back on the reputations of the very familiar work of the local humane societies to advance a radical, out-of-the-mainstream activist agenda (as well as line their own pockets.) They are a leftist lobbying organization duping the public into donating--basically siphoning donations from the intended recipients. Technically legal, and altogether deceptive and smarmy.

I'd wager that the main source of HSUS's funds come from people who think they're supporting shelter, spaying, and adoption efforts. Until this morning, I had no idea of any distinction between groups. After seeing your post I did some googling. Man, what a scam.

This latest Obama endorsement offers good opportunity to unmask these scam artists. Local Humane Societies stand to suffer real losses as a result of HSUS's endorsement. Freepers, raise a stink locally. Contact your newspaper, TV and radio stations. The story's got all the ingredients...puppies and kittens, scammed charitable donations, and presidential politics. A trifecta.

[Patriotic1]

The Office of the President has virtually NOTHING to do with animal welfare. Despicable.

[brytlea]

Well, in addition, the dog showing community (which for some weird reason seems to trend democrat) is VERY against the new federal bill, and Obama supports it. I’m hoping that might actually change some minds about him.
susie

[Patriotic1]

Please - the local shelters have no ties to that organization, even if they have Humane Society in their name. Underfunded, understaffed, and under a lot of stress, they can’t be fighting that other organization.

[Salvation]

For the animals but not for the babies. Something is very wrong with this.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

Obama and Kerry, how special!

[celano]

The HSUS is not your local Humane Society - it is PETA. They are treacherous in discrediting the real Humane Society and using the good name for fundraising that goes entirely to collectivist and eco-extremist causes.