another hit piece

[Dawgswin]

I'm not saying your logic is flawed Steve, because I would hope so too. But people don't. More charitable dollars are spent here in Las Vegas on homeless pets than on homeless children. Also more than the two relatively stable domestic violence shelters. By a multiple of at least two.

It is merely about what is the "latest and loudest" and it is entirely conceivable that horse racing is banned in a state long before Walmart pays a living wage or whatever arbitrary measure of fairness people come up with.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Dawgswin

I'm not saying your logic is flawed Steve, because I would hope so too. But people don't. More charitable dollars are spent here in Las Vegas on homeless pets than on homeless children. Also more than the two relatively stable domestic violence shelters. By a multiple of at least two.

It is merely about what is the "latest and loudest" and it is entirely conceivable that horse racing is banned in a state long before Walmart pays a living wage or whatever arbitrary measure of fairness people come up with.

except many rich people own racehorses. they're quite good at keeping things as they wish

[Dawgswin]

Originally Posted by Danzig

except many rich people own racehorses. they're quite good at keeping things as they wish

Do me a favor, if you are so inclined. Do some brief research on how often a ballot initiative in any state billed as protecting animals from cruelty has been defeated.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Dawgswin

Do me a favor, if you are so inclined. Do some brief research on how often a ballot initiative in any state billed as protecting animals from cruelty has been defeated.

I am not so inclined. It is not exactly easy to get an initiative on a ballot. Takes a lot of work to get an initiative on a ballot, and i can just image someone in ky trying to get enough votes to get a ban horse racing initiative approved.
Steve byk knows quite a bit about the state of racing. Until he gets worried, i see no reason to get excited.

[Dawgswin]

Originally Posted by Danzig

I am not so inclined. It is not exactly easy to get an initiative on a ballot. Takes a lot of work to get an initiative on a ballot, and i can just image someone in ky trying to get enough votes to get a ban horse racing initiative approved.
Steve byk knows quite a bit about the state of racing. Until he gets worried, i see no reason to get excited.

Steve Byk knows more about the horse racing industry than I ever will. His suggested argument against those that believe horse racing is cruel is misguided and lacks perspective. This I know a bit about.

Who is excited?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by Dawgswin

Steve Byk knows more about the horse racing industry than I ever will. His suggested argument against those that believe horse racing is cruel is misguided and lacks perspective. This I know a bit about.

Who is excited?

Having just watched Concussion, I think it's fair to say that racing as an industry has been better to its' athletes than the NFL has been to theirs.

I'm confident that presenting the sport as a socially productive way of life is quite viable. But since I lack perspective, please inform as to what the better defense might be.

[KidCruz]

I especially enjoy the people in the comment section pointing to Barbaro as the the ultimate example of animal cruelty and negligence by owner/trainer etc. Tough to muster up an argument with that level of intelligence.

[Dawgswin]

Originally Posted by Kasept

Having just watched Concussion, I think it's fair to say that racing as an industry has been better to its' athletes than the NFL has been to theirs.

I'm confident that presenting the sport as a socially productive way of life is quite viable. But since I lack perspective, please inform as to what the better defense might be.

First Steve, I did not say and would not say YOU lack perspective. But if you wish to take this personally then that's your choice. Your argument that it is socially productive will boil down to one thing in the vast majority of people's minds, "money for some people."

I'm sorry that does not resonate in these cases. I concur with others you will not change some activists mind. To the general public outside of that group? You may change some with your argument. You may.

What would be more effective is showing that the industry as a whole does everything possible to treat these animals well, that those that don't are dealt with severely, and that the animals well being is number one, not money.

Can the industry show that today? I don't know what most lay people would say to that. Maybe it doesn't matter, but either the industry controls the message or PETA and their friends will.

[jms62]

Originally Posted by Dawgswin

I'm not saying your logic is flawed Steve, because I would hope so too. But people don't. More charitable dollars are spent here in Las Vegas on homeless pets than on homeless children. Also more than the two relatively stable domestic violence shelters. By a multiple of at least two.

It is merely about what is the "latest and loudest" and it is entirely conceivable that horse racing is banned in a state long before Walmart pays a living wage or whatever arbitrary measure of fairness people come up with.

Aren't we already "donating" to these shelters via our tax dollars.

[Dawgswin]

Originally Posted by jms62

Aren't we already "donating" to these shelters via our tax dollars.

Yes. And you're also donating toward animal shelter usually through tax dollars, and wildlife preserves. And subsidizing child care, so what? I am speaking about private dollars.