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Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin
I completely disagree with your characterization of the hearings as a ploy for the HSUS. I think that the majority of people in the business think that major changes need to be made. I think the main point of contention amongst people in the business is the question of whether federal government intervention is needed or not.
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How can you see it any other way? PETA went beserk after the Kentucky Derby, then suddenly a Rep. from Kentucky whose wife dually sits on the KHRA and HSUS introduces a hearing in his own committee. Seems pretty clear to me and others that have dealt with animal legislation before.
Believe me I'm not in anyway saying there does not need to be change, but your point of contention amongst the people in the business is what needs to be addressed.
Ideally what needs to happen is the state racing commissions, the tracks, the horsemen, the vets need to come together come up with a plan that works for all tracks. Make your own intersate commission. Then the correct people that work on a day to day basis with these animals are the ones to bring it to each state and have legislation passed in each state that is basically the same around the country and that will govern racing. That way you don't and can't have the likes of PETA and HSUS interfering.
It is so much easier to have legislation like that passed, the horsemen and commissions come up with a plan make the reccomendations bring to a bill and it goes thru without a hitch and you don't have anti-AR people like myself upset that the AR's influenced the bill.
The problem is when you leave it to the legislators on their own you have the AR people in their ears 24/7. No matter what the horseracing people say or think...... PETA and HSUS think you are all animal abusers and should be stopped, it is but one of their sole missions in life.
Oh and you really need to hire a good lobbying firm ASAP.