2008.10.13
Discuss Monday's commentary and letters
Unplugged: reaping the rewards of a fall hike
Stubblefield teaches earth science at Franklin County High School and is a Roanoke Times columnist.
The goal is to have technology enrich your life, not control it. I'm here to tell you, I'm losing the battle. The sad things is, most of us don't even know there's a war on. It's not that I'm opposed to technology. I like computers. I use them at home and I use them every day, all day at work. In fact my laptop is command central. Everything I do from the moment the tone sounds to begin class to when it ends originates from my computer.
Quarter horses born for slaughter
John Holland
Holland, of Shawsville, is a freelance writer, author of three books and senior analyst for Americans Against Horse Slaughter.
In the aftermath of Black Monday, most of us felt like Baghdad citizens after "shock and awe." Stunned and disoriented, we sifted through our portfolios looking for anything salvageable.
But while lesser politicians were distracted by the proposed bailout, Rep. Bob Goodlatte was not. He knew what needed to be done and how to do it. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were at stake and time was critical. H.R. 6598 had to be stopped.
Read Monday's letters here.
Update: We're getting a lot of out-of-state comments on the horse issue, many of them unpublishable. Rather than spend time deleting all these comments, I have disabled comments on this thread.
Thanks, and sorry for the inconvenience - DR
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Does anyone ever see how much Bob Goodlatte gets from all the cattlemens groups? People this guy does not care about any " un inintended consequences" for horse welfare, he cares about money . His buddies at the Cattlemens network and specifically the NCBA keep his palm greased pretty well. Why does one man get to usurp all the efforts of the people of American who work diligently to stop the abomination of horse slaughter? poeple of Virgina you have a chance to get rid of this guy. Please do for the sake of American horses still alive.
Comment by Patricia Bewley — October 13, 2008 @ 11:17 am
Kudos to the Roanoke Times for publishing the truth about this, and I use the term loosley, politician. It's about time someone stood up and exposed this man for what he is.
Excellent piece, John Holland!
Comment by vicki — October 15, 2008 @ 8:05 am
Many thanks to John Holland for speaking up and to Roanoke Times for having the courage to print the truth about Goodlatte. There is nothing 'good' about this man. Hoping and praying that Americans can soon say 'good' riddance to this scoundrel following the November elections.
Comment by Diana — October 15, 2008 @ 11:07 am
We are living in difficult times, but no matter how difficult we must remember that we have an election to go through and put in people who reflect what we as Americans value.
Horse slaughter is a horror, not only for the horses, but for ourselves if we allow Goodlette to continue to hold office and use his power to abuse that which he was given the service to do and that being serving the nation and not his own pocket.
This needs to be corrected and hold Goodlette to his promise that he would only serve his alotted terms, by running again, he has lied to the good people of Virgina and by your voting him out keep him by force to his own promise.
Save our horses against this horrible man who is killing them by the thousands by shipping them to Mexico and Canada. Stop letting him line his pocket with lobby money and bribes.
Comment by Leah — October 15, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Bob Goodlatte and Larry Craig and their ilk have lined their pockets, due to their fight to keep the slaughter of American horses in place. Sadly, honor plays no role. Bob Goodlatte's actions speak volumes, concerning character. I want no representative who is focused on "ME CAPITALISM", at the expense of American horses (and the good people of Virginia). The enrichment of Goodlatte can be tracked from pro-horse slaughter associations, directly to this candidate's pocket - as far as public records show.
I am at least a fifth generation horsekeeper and my adult children are horsekeepers. And yet I did not know horse slaughter existed, until three years ago. This is one black mark against our society that was a well kept filthy secret, for a very long time. I became involved in the grass roots campaign to stop this unnecessary evil. However, our campaign has empty pockets and money talks. For a number of years, a huge anti-slaughter contingent has fought for anti-slaughter legislation to be voted on and signed into law. Bob Goodlatte stands firmly in the way and this discredits the man, in all ways. In the late John Hettinger's words, "Horse slaughter caters to the lowest common denominator in our society". I urge fellow Virginians to pursue honor. Vote Bob Goodlatte out of office. We deserve better and our horses deserve better.
Special thanks go to Dr. Holland for exposing Goodlatte.
Comment by B. Oliver — October 15, 2008 @ 3:03 pm
If you think that is bad, you should see what we do to unborn children.
Comment by Henry — October 15, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Down with Goodlatte! Down with Craig! Thanks for the truth! Keep up the good work.
Comment by Marilyn Wilson — October 15, 2008 @ 5:05 pm
You and me both Henry. The right to life of our unborn is a shame that has blood running from one end of this nation to the other. Shame on us for allowing it to being done in this great nation.
What is happening to our horses is a prime example of the Holocaust of Germany, where thousands of people shipped to camps and killed just because they were Jews. We are now doing with our unborn children and horse slaughter holocaust that breaks my heart.
Where is our compassion for both? We must wake up and make our leaders accountable for their actions and Goodlette is a prime example of secrets and backhanded political workings.
Comment by Leah — October 15, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
Thank you Roanoke Times. Virginians - please show with your votes how you feel about horses on Nov. 4
Comment by Robin — October 15, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Kudos for John Holland for writing this! The Quarter Horse, Paint and Thoroughbred breeders associations are all pro slaughter. If you follow the money, it leads you back to the foal registries. They are still encouraging their members to breed, even though sales and the economy are both down. It doesn't matter to them if these foals get good homes or not. They are the new "puppy mills." Produce, produce, produce!
It's time for Goodlatte and Craig, as well as many others, to GET OUT.
This editorial is well written and RIGHT ON. Thanks to the Roanoke Times for publishing it!
Comment by Barb Beck — October 15, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
To those that have no knowledge of what horse slaughter is or those that support.
Holland's letter highlight's the corruption that is our legislative system. Aside from the acceptance of monies from special interests, Goodlatte does nothing to change the grotesque system that is the North American horsemeat industry.
I eat meat, do not belong to PETA but require that all animals be treated with some dignity and respect. Mr. Goodlatte (and others) does not feel we have any alligence or responsibilty to our horses.
What he fails to acknowledge is that horses that go to slaughter (formerly here in the States and now exclusively to Canada, Mexico and shipped live to Asia) are not even treated with the same consideration, regulatory guidelines or inspection standards afforded pigs, sheep, poultry or cattle.
Why is that Goodlatte? Why are horses allowed to be shipped, mixed sexes, questionable health and ages, with no production record for human consumption? Every meat livestock producer in the US is required to do this. Why not horses?
Profitable loophole Mr. Goodlatte, peddling cruelty and a questionable product for human consumption. And just exactly why is the NCBA so interested in horse slaughter? I'd think they'd more concerned about assuring consumers here and overseas that theirs is an impecable product. South Korea doesn't seem to be too pleased with you US beef people...but you support horse slaughter?
Cantor is my guy in the adjoining district and he is wrong too. People of Virginia, VOTE THEM OUT!!!
Comment by D. Masters — October 15, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Hats off to you, Mr. Holland! Thank you for writing this article.
I think it would be worthy to add that while the U.S. horse slaughter plants were operating, they were also importing thousands of horses from Canada for slaughter here. Apparently there weren't enough U.S. horses to meet the demand for horse meat abroad. No wonder the AQHA executive is worried about a horse shortage.
When the bill was sent to Goodlatte's committee, the National Cattleman's Beef Association took credit and claimed it as their victory, knowing that Goodlatte would once again hold the bill in his committee without it allowing it to the House floor for a vote. It's shameful that politics are allowed to be manipulated in such a fashion.
And to the citizens of Roanoke: Don't forget you have an alternative. Sam Rasoul is running against Bob Goodlatte and is standing behind the legislation to stop horse slaughter. Remember that when you head to the polls. Voting for him will help save the lives of thousands of horses all across the U.S.
Comment by Valerie James-Patton — October 15, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
Thanks to the Roanoke Times for publishing this! Special thanks go to Dr. Holland for exposing Goodlatte. I am from Alabama and I too know the Senators and Congressmen of our great state too are taking the money from the Cattlemen, Turkey farmers and pork producers are paying these guys and they or running all the way to the banks, it makes me ill and it has to stop. Jo Bonner is one of the BAD guys, along with Shelby and Sessions sit's on the fence. Got to go! I eat beef, pork, chicken and turkeys but I do not eat horse. If you look in the AL. newspapers it list for sele dogs cats then horses and then Livestock, it the papers don't see horses as livestock, why do the senators and congress? I am a Fan of Barbaro and horse slaughter is not right, sending your raceing star to slaughter is just wrong. It's greed, the last dollar out of a horse who tried to do as you ask. It wrong and you know it's wrong!
Comment by Debbie — October 15, 2008 @ 7:37 pm