Letter to the Editor by film producer Jeff Roth
R.T.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to create a forum for the wild ones, and for helping spread the word of their plight. The more people become aware of the issue, the greater the chances are that we can tip the scales towards some sane solutions.
I am happy to contribute what I’ve learned from my wife Patti, our mustangs Alf, Charlie, and various travels and interviews taken in pursuit of a solution to the wild horse crisis.
As advocates I think we need to check our facts and our sources and be extra careful not to spread rumors or misinformation.
My frustration reaches a peak on a day like today, when I feel all the friends of the wild ones have been taken on a big ride. As usual,the BLM controls the conversation and frames the scope of what is allowed to be discussed. A “workshop” is called, but it is not to discuss anything of significance, it is a PR show to go over the “salazoo plan”, the cattlemens’ plan. The room is full of brilliant and dedicated people who want to effect change and have solutions, yet I feel the BLM is not listening, they are staging an event to be used by their new PR firm to show they are open to public input.
As advocates, we need to organize to the point where we can frame the discussion and define the terms of the “workshop”. I would love to see the strategic thinkers in that room in Denver today call the BLM to their own “workshop”. The subjects for the agenda that I would suggest might start with:
(1.) mitigation for the 20+ million wild horse acres the BLM has failed to protect since 1971
(2.) full disclosure and a scientific peer review of how BLM staff determine AUMs
(3.) full disclosure and scientific peer review of how BLM staff determine AMLs
(4.) full disclosure and transparency regarding what the BLM has has done with every zeroed-out herd area since 1971
(5.) an open discussion on how to change the anti-horse culture within the BLM
(6.) a discussion on what horse behavior studies might finally be undertaken by the BLM.
(7.) a discussion on whether it might be better for the BLM and the horses for them to be protected by a different government agency.
(8.) a discussion of the costs of the federal grazing program for cattle on public lands as well as the costs of the current BLM wild horse program, and – why not dream on – a discussion of the influence of the oil, gas, wind, solar, mining, livestock, and game hunters lobbyists money on BLM land use policy.
Someday!
Jeff
Mini-Documentary by Jeff Roth and Kurt Brungardt
Categories: Horse News, The Force of the Horse, Wild Horses/Mustangs
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
Excellent video!
Will be sure to send this out to several groups!
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We need to get off the BLM turf. They control that game. We need to take management of our Wild Mustangs away from the land management agency because of a conflict of interest. Somehow we need to petition Congress to formulate a new agency and split the Mustang issue away from the BLM. One with authority over land dedicated to Mustangs. The BLM had to divide agencies dealing with the Gulf oil spill because of corruption so the issue has precedent. Unless we manage the Wild Mustangs under their own agency or department they will perish.
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The BLM will never stop, they will do the same as they always do. Let people spend hundreds, thousands of hours- a lifetime to try to save the wild ones. And the BLM will just plug on with the extermination. They need to be fired or caught good with federal crimes. They send all the mustangs to slaughter!! or house them in feedlots to live a horrid life.
THIS IS A NEW REPORT quote ref. here- http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/pdf/FootageIndexBouvry.Final.pdf
“”Hot-Branding of Horses
Many of the horses have the distinctive “Bar S” brand on their left shoulders, indicating that they spent at least some time at the Bouvry-owned horse feedlot in Shelby, Montana where in 2002, 40 horses drowned to death in their own waste and mud.
The brands were created through burning as the hair under them is dark.
At least one horse (perhaps two) appears to have had a brand removed from its neck. This U.S. based horse has a cut-out patch with raw skin beneath. Wild mustangs are branded on their necks and are protected under the “Restore Our American Mustangs” (ROAM) Act, H.R. 1018, legislation that protects wild horses and burros from commercial””””
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I FORCED myself to read this whole bloody thing. It was literally one of the most horrifying experiences of my life. One of the worst parts was how many times it mentioned the horses “leaning” toward the killers. It made me think they might be looking for some kind of comfort or relief from a human. Maybe they associated these murderers with someone who had been kind to them in the past.
I’m too upset to say any more.
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I think that reading it was some how even worse than seeing it. This will be printed up and go into the handouts that I keep in my car for those who don’t know about slaughter or who think it is humane. Bet neither group makes it passed the first page.
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indicating that they spent at least some time at the Bouvry-owned horse feedlot in Shelby, Montana where in 2002, 40 horses drowned to death in their own waste and mud.
comment: If I hadn’t seen pix of BLM Mustangs standing in mud covering their hooves and legs; trapped in wooden stalls; I would not have believed it myself ! Mustangs are standing in thick mud at this very moment at the BLM Palomino Valley Corrals in Nevada; and the mud will get worse much worse this winter durin snow/rain
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Great idea and subjects , Jeff, but as long as Salazar is in charge of the BLM and is Obama’s “man” I’m afraid nothing is going to change. The corruption in the BLM goes back 40 or more years with the welfare ranchers telling the BLM what AUM’s and AML’s to set. The grazing subsides cost tax-payers millions .
The 1990-91 GAO(Government Accounting Office ) study proved that the millions of cattle caused the destruction of the public ranges and riparian areas and not wild horses yet the BLM continues to blame our American wild horses.
As a native species these horses deserve to be protected and preserved as the 1971 law mandated but the BLM continmues to break this law.
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PLEASE – All ye who may have an opportunity to speak at the Denver meetings today — please talk about a MORATORIUM ON ROUNDUPS.
This is the temporary moratorium needed until the “new day” of the wild horse and burrow is revealed to the masses by a clap of thunder, a flash of light, a flood, a fire, or all of the above.
Go “off subject” if you need to.
Save the remaining horses from this wasteful, expensive and killing brutality that is helicopter roundups and ensuing incarceration.
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Excellent summary Jeff…I think alot of us would like to know more precisely what what said during the scientific portion we didn’t hear, not just that it went well, it is kind of interesting that just listening to it gave me a different perspective than those that were there got…unless it happened during the time we had bad audio..the moderator did not want to allow the idea of a moritorium to be brought up..will someone who was there please inform me if that was not the case/ and was that discussed/ because that is one area that we can all agree on and must demand..Thanks to makendra for having her say on the moritorium over the objections of the moderator..remember-its about the horses-just not how we are perceived..yes its important to be respectful..but that does not mean we back down on the moritorium. Be tuff when you need to be, don’t worry about perception!
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Several people brought up we don’t want anymore round ups. To put a moratorium on gathers until more transparency is reached within, to find more funding for research, to study the science behind different types of grazing, research ought to be land-management oriented, not horse-oriented, to give back feedback of process, to create a taskforce to address specific issues and include experts from the field. Robin Lohnes suggested a Science workshop which remains to be seen as the BLM put that as a suggestion in their board summary to present for cost approval.
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There’s a glimmer of light, there, Monika. I hope that it turns into a super nova and soon.
Thanks for sharing.
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I am forwarding this on to Bob Abbey, let’s see if he’s for real,
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Laura, thanks for the update my good friend.
From the other side of the world, my heart and soul are with you.
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Laura I too thank you for this update and your feel of what the atmosphere in the room was. We missed quite a bit due to sound difficulties early on and then unfortunately Jay bless his heart had to go.
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What is said to be happening on July 1st??
From our live chat group: Jay Ferguson stated that not all the wireless microphones were working. . . find a good one and pass it around rather than using some that don’t work, please!
It appeared that as the meeting wore on that the comment times became more restricted. Was that just a perception?
Ginger’s comments were fantastic – especially that one relating to how timed comments might apply when drafting and discussing legislation that had to be passed, but in a true give and take, the opportunity had to be there for a true discussion, and that more meetings were needed.
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SUmmer roundups are set to begin 7-1, too many babies will be driven for miles, once again,
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Also – just a tip to enhance your listening pleasure – if the speakers sound muted & garbled to you, plug in your iPod (or similar) earphones – it filters out the garble and you can actually understand most of the comments & conversation.
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I noticed what I consider a key element in any presentation conspicuously missing – charts, graphs, and maps. I’m bringing this up because I’ve prepared so many over my career.
Whenever I comment on any EA, I always call for those types of visuals of ALL impacts to the range to allow for easily-accessable direct comparison. I can only conclude BLM didn’t prepare visual aids because they’re based on accurate numbers and scientific study they’ve admitted they don’t have.
Another value of visuals is they’re usually displayed throughout a meeting or segment of a meeting, and included in an accompanying report. They’re a constant reminder of the topic at hand, and can be referred to by participants in their questions and comments.
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I agree. Charts were either missing or printed so small, no one could read until the point was brought up that us advocates do not get the papers as the board does… so they went and made copies of one chart….
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Laura, thanks! I am hoping and praying,
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I also agree with Ginger that 2-3 minutes to discuss things like sustainable herds, a concept that is actually working-is not nearly enough time to do it justice and needs a workshop alone to delve into this..The BLM needs to send people to work with Sussman and Return to freedom-internships perhaps-so that they can see the scientific research being done on herds there..This Idea that because they have been doing roundups for 40 years is a basis for managing these herds in or out of the wild..has proven to be irrelevent.
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They need to decide the most pressing issues to be solved and have break out sessions focusing on each issue–for hours. This 2 minute cap on talking is solving nothing. It just lets the BLM say they listened to the public.
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Thank you Laura
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Thank you.
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When it doesn’t go your way Sue, it doesn’t go your way. I would like to know just how Larry Johnson has come to the conclusions, probably the same way they set range limits–its a philosophy. They will hear about this
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For the most part, in all our dealings with ‘these people’, their narrow focus & skewed view of all that is Wild Equine, I have felt ire and antipathy, anger at their ignorance but somewhat restrained except when venting to Friends & Advocates.
However…
larry johnson is a whole ‘nother kettle of black-hearted detritus. I do not like this creature and feel it necessary to find some way, in a lady-like & vicious fashion, to cause him to RUE the day he ever showed up for this meeting.
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I ask that Larry be removed by any means at hand -including predator drone
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Again, Laura, thank you and all who are standing up for the horses. Of COurse, these people are irritated, this is all new to them. They are not used to being questioned relentlessly by people who know their facts and demand answers. I’m praying for someone to walk it, NOW.
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I’m with you on THAT, Lisa! I have to at least tell him what I think – and it ain’t purddy!
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Sounds like good old Larry and his equine whackin’ buddies are getting a little annoyed that many advocates have facts, committment and science interferring with his business as usual plan.
That’s right Larry. Never let facts and modern, progressive morality get in the way of what you want and the way you’ve been allowed to behave in the past. Is this guy “googleable”? And he is what to the equines?
When does the Board mtg end? Mountain time what? Another session tomorrow?
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Larry is affiliated with Black Eagle consulting..a wildlife management firm..and we have ascertained Larry has a “thing’ for sheep.” no wild horse experience and full of theories only disney could appreciate
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The fact that larry is employed by anyone..gives hope to the unemployed
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Thanks Jeff and Laura–I respect you both–what you stand for and what you say, including your opinions. 🙂 So glad Laura was there, I wasn’t, but have to say that from what I saw of today’s “Bored” meeting, the whole Board was intensely BORED–by themselves. And we onlookers (from afar) were intensely BORED as well–are we taxpayers paying these people? Good grief–they couldn’t care less about anything having to do with wild horses–what are they doing on this so-called “Advisory Board.” Are these positions more of Salazar’s Rewards-for-Bad-Actions/Good Ol’ Boy-Payback Program? Must be.
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We definately need to support and thank Robin for trying to be a voice of reason in that den of jackels..She did point out in the animal welfare part that once the BLM assumes the care of those rounded up hoses they have to be properly cared for..Things got alot more spicy at the end of the 8 hours when comments were finally taken
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laura,
I watched just about all the proceedings and Jay did a great job streaming it for those of us who couldn’t make it, thanks to him and the Cloud Foundation.
Not to dwell on the negative, but my point in the above letter is that all of you were there, the BLM was there, but “Moratorium”, though in everyone’s hearts and minds, was not on the schedule.
None of the REAL issues I listed above could be brought up under the BLMs rules and agenda. And today, listening to the horse-haters (all but 1) on the Advisory Board, it reminded me of a couple of more items for the “truth workshop” of my dreams – (9.) full disclosure and transparency on how the BLM counts horses, and a discussion on how the BLM and advocates can mutually agree on an independent party to conduct future census (10.) An open and frank discussion on how the rules governing who sits on the Advisory board can be made more democratic, with more real horse advocate representation and term limits on the clowns that have been playing musical chairs for a decade.
I really do appreciate the time and energy that you and all the other attendees spent to go to Denver and represent sane and humane ideas. Someone had to carry the flag into battle, and thank you for doing it.
It’s just so depressing to watch.
jeff
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Some things were apparent to us because we weren’t in the room but were observing the meeting format, body language, their tactics and what was being said by both sides as if we were on the other side of a 2 way mirror. The advocates were wonderful. I thank and congratulate you all. The BLM tried hard to play the best side of their “new face”–one that comes from the PR/Public Affairs firm grooming. Just be aware they haven’t really changed. We have. We are stronger.
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Larry Johnson is a long time wild horse hater. He has been a member and maybe president of the NV Bighorn Sheep Assoc. or some such organization. He is a hunter and even went before Congress some years ago to testify against wild horses and claim they are harnful to wildlife. Yes, google him and see what you find. Any advocates who have appiled for positions on the Board have always been turned down. Larry’s term was up long ago but like Jeff said they just keep rotaing the members.
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How long has he been on the board? What are the term limits? Is it time to get this guy booted?
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a few larry links:
http://bit.ly/aPk8W8 – letter of support to Salazar for Salazoos, plus …ugh
http://bit.ly/dgHjiH – old long winded letter of “introduction”
http://bit.ly/aknew5 – 2003 testimony to house resource committee
http://bit.ly/9kXHuQ – Reid’s buddy
http://bit.ly/bwppZ7 – Reid gives him a tribute
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Wow.
Does this explain his continued presence on the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (all the “positioning” seen with Reid, etc.?) even though his term expired?
I wonder if he is doing them a favor. . . perhaps he pays his own way. . .
P.S.
Madeleine Pickens for Interior Secretary
just a thought — I think Michelle would like her. . . ?
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This link goes directly to a PDF showing members and their exipiration dates of the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board.
Click to access Members%20021709.pdf
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Thank you SO much for posting your positive take, Laura. Made my day! ;o)
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This man’s demeanor was so loathsome, I was afraid I catch a disease.
http://www.blackeagleconsulting.com/cms/index.php?page=management
Larry J. Johnson – Geologist – Mr. Johnson has provided geotechnical, pavement management, and quality control services throughout Nevada for more than 40 years for all types of transportation, utility, industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural, and residential projects. Mr. Johnson pioneered innovative pavement maintenance techniques that are now the mainstay of pavement maintenance programs of several local agencies. He was instrumental in formulating the materials and construction specifications within the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction Manual (Orange Book) adopted by northern Nevada cities and counties. He has supervised the geotechnical design and construction services of thousands of projects throughout the state.
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Statement from Larry Johnson:
http://epw.senate.gov/107th/joh_0410.htm
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He certainly had a lot of faith in the Wild One’s abilities to reproduce – over 125,000 by 2010.
Even figuring in all those rounded up since 2001 – 74,000, as of last year – his projections seem designed to illicit more panic than practicality.
But he wrote with some respect for Wild Ones when that paper was published; he speaks of them now with the same stockman’s mentality that seems to infect the majority of those associated with the BLM.
He also seems to behave as a spoiled, petulant child when others don’t agree with him. His orations today – aimed at both the ‘crowd’ & his fellow board members were patronizing and unpleasant. Those of us listening in from the cheap seats cringed whenever he stepped up to the mike.
And a final opinion: I find it difficult to give credence to a man who sets out to save a species, only to target that same species to hunt. Is it just me or is there something fairly sideways in that line of thought? If he truly wished to save Big Horn from extinction, he’d be hollering from the roof tops about a moritorium on hunting them, and no domestic sheep grazing on Big Horn range.
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Johnson@blackeagleconsulting.com
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The moron whacks Big Horn for wall trophies and feeling like a man AND paves roads.
Yeah….right That qualifies him as a wild horse and burro expert? Good gravy!
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Sitting in a BLM Advisory Meeting in DC last September and listening to the horse hater Larry was enough for me. If the new “PR” firm wanted to show a “new” face for the BLM they would send ole Larry packing.
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The BLM website indicates his term expired in 10/09.
Just posting to “put it out there.”
Janet Ferguson
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I see 2 others terms are to expire this month-some apparently have no expiration date as there is none listed..Robin is the only one to go to 2012..I do not understand how they can be allowed a vote when they are expired.
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Was there any news coverage at the meetings?
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The media would have shown up for the protests that were cancelled..I am sorry but I do not agree with cancelling the protests as a show of ‘good faith” from our side..We should have been outside asking for a moritorium as a show of “good faith” from them..”hope” is not going to help the horses living their last days of freedom in the wild…hope is for people who have run out of ideas and steam..I am just calling it as I see it.
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the media is not going to show up to take pictures of people going in and out of a building..What does gov. hate more than anything..the light being shined on them in an unfavorable light..how did we even get to this point?..by shining that light..Without a moratorium..this is all window dressing to buy them time to execute their plan..i am not feeling that “warm and fuzzy glow”..it feels more like “burned” to me
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I agree with you…cancelling was not the best for the horses and burros.
Do I understand why it was cancelled? Yes. Do I agree? Not really. Why?
Because “trying” to work with DOI/BLM is an exercise in futility and delaying the inevitable….they are not there to help the equines; they are there to get rid as many as possible as quickly as possible before they get stopped.
They continually use our care and concern for these magnificent animals as a threat and carrot stick to behave in a manner that THEY consider friendly and supportive….not for what is good for the equines.
The protests should have been consucted in the respectful, orderly albeit demanding manner that we always conduct them.
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Was there a tangible agreement behind this decision?
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Obama wants us to believe the BP (http://www.facebook.com/pages/BP/106073486089812?ref=ts)
OIL spill is the
“worst environmental disaster ever to hit the US”
I WOULD like to point out that the 1934 Taylor Grazing act, The Bureau of Land Management, and, specifically, the “Advisory Board” of the Bureau of Land Management WHB Progam, Secretary of the Interior, and the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program, US Forest Service Have all presided over and facilitated the
TRUE WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER TO HIT AMERICA
That is,
Allowing Millions and Millions of cattle to run all over our public lands and the resulting devastation from which our lands
WILL NEVER RECOVER.
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Timeline is a consideration here, but I get your point. The oil blowout (not a spill BTW) is probably the worst US, soon to be world’s worst one-time, real time disaster.
Policy decisions and practices such as the reservation concentration of Native Peoples, moutain top mining, Anaconda Copper (one example), clear cut forestry, grazing, species extermination, water diversion, landfills/off-shore garbage dumping are cumulatively worse.
Pick your poison, I guess.
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Speaking of mountaintop mining: try this link — put the zip code in and you will find a community near you which is linked to mountaintop mining!
http://ilovemountains.org/myconnection/
It is scary, and went right on my Facebook!
Erin Brokovitch (sp?) to read about her latest work in a small agricultural Missouri community with a high incidence of brain tumors!
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I tried it–too close of a connection, too scarey–FB it went.
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Here’s from Erin Brokovitch’s website:
http://www.brockovich.com/environmental.html
About Cameron, MO.
Wasn’t the original article I saw, but has info anyway.
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As Laura said the meeting was not all that bad, & if the BLM thinks that this meeting would placate us & get us into a comfortable mode with them & their policies & their handling of situations, I can only tell you that it totally made my committment even stronger to keep helping the wild ones. And that is due to the incredible people & the amazing energy that comes from a united group of people in the same room. I am hoping (because I’m an optomist), that this PR of theirs will really start a different direction, but I am not fooled & neither will be any of the other advocates that attended.
I look at the bright side….if the BLM spent their time & money TRYING to get good public relations…..then what we all are doing is actually getting noticed & our word is getting out. WE WILL NOT STOP standing up for the benefit of the wild horses.
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Here’s a quote from Craig that was on Laura Leigh’s blog:
“A lot was said of very valuable nature at Denver workshop and during testimony at board meeting, but the current outrageous roundups must be called off!!! Actions must follow words or else what will be have left of the free living equids?”
Keep calling Obama at 202-456-1111 and demand the roundups be stopped.
Also many organizations including TCF are asking for Salazar’s resignation.
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I would just like to reply to Sandra Longley…..no media showed up at all, even though we didn’t cancell the protest until well around 11:00am, which is when the protest was about to start. We were watching for them with a person outside, & Ginger was ready to speak to them if & when they showed…..but they didn’t show.
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I would also like to let her know that the advocates, in almost every comment, asked for a moratorium on the roundups. We did make our presence known, but were you there? There was a mutual agreement between all the people there that were to protest, that the energy was positive & why ruin it with a negative. There are some instances in which you give a little to take alot & we didn’t feel, after believe me, alot of discussion…to proceed.
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Some of us, who traveled far & spent alot of money to get there & took off time from work…….& wanted to hear what was said. Especially since we were allowed a few questions & comments during the supposedly closed to comment session.
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Darcy, thanks for the update, I appreciate hearing from those of you who were there, those of us who weren’t need to support all the decisions that you guys made, as this is, as always, about the horses.
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thanks Jan, that is just part of my feelings on it (being a newbie). that is one reason i chose not to speak…there were so many much more informed, educated & eloquent speakers that needed the time to say what they needed to say, that I dd not want to take away from them, with my emotion.
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Darcy, I know how you feel, I am so emotional too about this, it would be hard to keep my temper in check, I think, so thank you and all who represented us and the horses so well at this meeting.
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Actually, why not hold a symposium and invite BLM? This could be on our turf and we could set the agenda.
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That, Louie, is a CAPITAL idea.
My only request? larry johnson & sue whatsername are NOT invited, ‘k?
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All kidding aside, I think it would be a good idea.
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