Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Dogfighting: Does HSUS speak for you?

Baby Dogfight Czars press the flesh at state capitals Humane Society of the United States barnstorms the country Does Wayne Pacelle, and John Goodwin, speak for you? Don't look now, but the world's largest, wealthiest animal extremist organization claims to represent us all as it delivers its twisted message to legislators coast to coast. After insisting for years that nursing pit bull puppies are too dangerous to live, HSUS wants to consolidate its position in the minds of elected officials as the supreme source on all dogfighting questions. It just doesn't get any sicker. Doubletalk and weasel words: Patrick Kwan works the New York crowds Kwan's large travel budget goes without saying. But, impressive T & E funds only go so far. Baby Dogfight Czar Kwan laid a couple of big ones as he struggled to charm. HSUS's relentless campaign in the Empire State includes "Lobbying 101" classes that hammer New York's dogfighting statutes, and presentations to groups like the Ulster County Democratic Women. As they shake their heads over the abuse of kittens and puppies, I wonder if those nice ladies realized that HSUS does not operate a single shelter for the abused pets it claims to champion, despite its over $100 million in assets? Playing footsie with the facts The alternate version of "reality" Kwan puts out as he criss-crosses New York doesn't stand up to scrutiny. For example. . . Kwan and HSUS insist that New Jersey's dogfighting laws are "better" than New York statutes. According to HSUS, New York should copy New Jersey laws. But HSUS doesn't mention that there are four current proposals to "strengthen" New Jersey dogfighting laws. HSUS will keep on promoting the need to "strengthen" laws until pit bulls are "protected" right into extinction. Want to be the world's capital of dogfighting? Get in line. For New York crowds, HSUS's position is that New York is the "world's capital" of dogfighting. Even though New York is a weak contender for the title. In California, it's California that's in crisis. Or maybe the world's capital is North Carolina? After all, according to HSUS, North Carolina is the "hub of professional dogfighting." Or Maryland? Was it was Maryland that's so soft on dogfighting?

Confused yet? That's because there's no substance, no fact, behind any of these HSUS assertions. Caravans of dogfighters on the NYS Thruway You didn't hear about that one? No? Kwan insists that hoards of Jersey dogfighters are swarming to New York -- which of course they aren't, but what the hell. . . Geez. With all that toll revenue coming from New Jersey wallets, New York better leave their dogfight laws "as is." Where's the fire, baby Dogfight Czar? The truth is that New York averaged only four dogfight convictions annually over the last ten years. The ASPCA confirms that dogfighting is not prevalent in New York City. God knows what Kwan, who moonlights as Super Vegan the restaurant critic, has been smoking. And HSUS won't be satisfied until all pit bulls everywhere are dead. HSUS knocking on state Capitol doors When HSUS speaks to legislators, it lies. It distorts. It makes shit up. HSUS claims a membership of 10 million people . Kwan claims 800,000 New York members, or one out of 24 residents. That's enough to get any legislator's attention. . .unless someone mentions to their public servants that HSUS's 2007 tax returns indicate 420,000 members. Globally. Pressure on legislators from animal rights extremists has never been more intense, and it's going to get much worse. Does HSUS speak for you? HSUS will be in the New York state capital, Albany, on March 30. HSUS will be in your state capital soon, too. If they haven't been there already. So, are you okay with puppy slaughter, manufactured "statistics" and the wild imaginings of baby Dogfight Czars? Looking forward to a bunch of new laws based on lies and fear-mongering? Me? I'm damned if I'll allow my elected representatives to assume that the Humane Society of the United States speaks for me.

It doesn't.