Here is what those who oppose us are doing. Consolidating!
Consolidated Animal Rights Movement is Sportsmen's Nightmare
HSUS growth is threat to sportsmen
November 28, 2007 (National)
In a precisely-calculated effort, the Humane Society of the United States is assuming control of the animal rights movement’s political agenda. In doing so, it becomes an even greater threat to conservation and hunters’ rights.
Wayne Pacelle, the mastermind behind HSUS, recently told the Chronicle of Philanthropy that his organization may soon merge with at least three unnamed animal rights organizations. The HSUS calls itself a mainstream animal charity, but the growing organization has already joined forces with groups that push a none-too-conventional anti-hunting, anti-trapping agenda.
“The HSUS is playing up a mainstream reputation in hopes of becoming the primary mouthpiece for the animal rights movement,” said USSA President Bud Pidgeon. “It is not difficult to convince a smaller group to unite with a multi-million dollar organization that will push its political agenda - be it to end hunting or eliminate animal research. Sportsmen will no-doubt see HSUS continue to grow in this way.”
Power in Numbers
By absorbing the other groups, HSUS adds to its membership and bank accounts, which gives it even more political muscle. The group now has 10.5 million members or supporters, up from 7.4 million five years ago.
When Pacelle took control of HSUS in 2004, he realized the way to advance his political agenda was to develop an even larger following of animal activists. It was not by chance that HSUS assumed control of the Fund for Animals in 2005 and the Doris Day Animal League in 2006. It was all part of a plan to make HSUS the powerful and efficient mouthpiece for the animal rights movement.
Bank On It
With a staggering $112-million budget, a new legislative arm and a political action committee to boot, HSUS definitely has lawmakers’ attention. The group spent $2.5 million this year to push state and federal animal rights legislation. Last year, for the first time, it got directly involved in candidate elections and spent $600,000 to back or oppose nominees based on their animal-related voting history.
To remain in control of the animal rights movement, HSUS plans to continue its financial development. In fact, it will soon begin a five year, $100-million fund-raising effort that will put its budget well over $200 million!
Looks Can Be Deceiving
Sportsmen know the HSUS is a political machine that campaigns to ban hunting.
The HSUS tries to sell itself as a group with mainstream goals, but if that were truly that case, would it merge with animal rights organizations that stigmatize and try to prohibit hunting and trapping?
For example, it led the effort to bulldoze dove hunting via the ballot box in Michigan, and it championed a recent bear hunting ban in New Jersey.
Those and dozens of other overt attacks on hunting are not the only threats HSUS poses to sportsmen. It has also plotted no-holds-barred campaigns that will have subtle, yet equally devastating, impacts on outdoor sports.
Sportsmen who breed and raise hunting dogs are being caught up in proposals that HSUS advocates as efforts to wipe out large-scale, abusive dog breeders. At the same time, the anti’s are fanning a public frenzy against animal fighting and lobbying for legislation that could make sportsmen who hunt with dogs vulnerable to animal cruelty charges. For instance, if a dog breaks point and grabs a pheasant the hunter could be charged with an act of animal cruelty. The USSA Sporting Dog Defense Coalition is on call to make sure hunters’ rights are protected.
The Future’s In Your Hands
American sportsmen have a savvy foe that is influential in politics and the media. It is coordinating attacks against hunting and all animal use and will not be an easy opponent to defeat.
Let this message ignite your passion for hunting. Help the USSA defeat legal and legislative attacks by this anti-hunting giant and others within the movement.
Copied from the USSA website.
Topic: So you don't like the big tent idea for hunting and fishing? (Read 5936 times)
