A friend of mine sent me this photo. I think it says it all.
I came across this quote again the other day and couldn’t help but think that it is as pertinent today as it was then…perhaps even more so. We’ve got some individuals in DC who need to read this and take it to heart…particularly a President, who likes to quote President Lincoln, however, he has yet to use this one.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
Abraham Lincoln
(also attributed to Reverend William John Henry Boetcke)
My son helping change water.
I received an email the other day from a friend…an email that at first I thought was a joke, a spoof, one of those emails that once you read part way down says something to the effect of “Gotcha! Things aren’t really as bad they seem.”
I read through the synopsis…waiting to come to the “Gotcha” part…it wasn’t there…this was a legitimate proposal by the Department of Labor.
I was dumfounded at first…then a state of disbelief…followed by a wave of legitimate anger.
How could anyone seriously propose these new regulations for agricultural employment of children?
What is even worse, is that it will negatively impact and make illegal, many of the routine activities considered by the department to be “work” that occur on a daily basis on all farms and ranches. Read more…
Years ago, my grandfather put a two bedroom, single bath mobile home next to the barn. It has air conditioning, a working fireplace, stove, oven, refrigerator, free water and free trash, a large yard and is nestled underneath six large oak trees. It was his desire to offer this domicile to folks who were down on their luck, strapped for cash, on a fixed income or simply needed a place to get their feet back under themselves. Over the years we’ve had individuals, young and retired couples live in the home for a few months at a time and as long as 11 years. Many people have been able to catch back up and move ahead. It has also served as a benefit to have someone living in the barnyard to keep potential deviants away.
Since my wife and I have taken over, we have continued to honor my grandfathers wishes. A retired couple was in the home, until the husband required more immediate medical attention. We then had a newly married couple live in the home, have a daughter and they have now been able to afford a bigger home. This brings us to the past week…. Read more…
I just read and article, “Iowa House Agrees To Prohibit Secret Animal Abuse Videos“. I did a post a few weeks ago on this subject, “Photos, Private Property and Politics” and have been thinking on the matter further. When thinking about current legislation being proposed in a number of states on the matter of video taping on farms, ranches and processing establishments I think there are four basic factors to consider when drafting legislation.
1. Trespassing – Plain and simple, if someone trespasses on private property, urban, rural, home, ranch or business, it should be a felony, period. As a misdemeanor, cases of trespass are often not even prosecuted and when they are, are more often than not plead out or dropped. People who trespass are directly violating another individuals personal rights and freedoms and should not be tolerated.
2. Biosecurity – Individuals who are working for groups with agendas that promote animal rights and would like to see the elimination of animal agriculture do not consider the health risks to animals which they claim to be in support of. No two farms or ranches are the same and individuals, sneaking from farm to farm, can easily carry viruses and bacteria on their clothing and place the health of animals at risk. It is especially concerning when individuals may go from an auction yard, which host a multitude of vectors for diseases and then enter a farm or ranch, carrying with them, that which was picked up at the yard. Not to mention, many of these so-called videographers have filmed over seas, in countries with diseases that we do not want re-introduced here.
3. Management – Individuals who are in charge of hiring and firing the workforce need to be diligent in two particular areas. First, be diligent in doing background checks and talking to references. Make certain the people you hire are of the proper disposition and integrity to work with animals. Second, be diligent in training employees in the proper handling techniques to ensure that all animals are treated with the proper care. Make sure all employees are familiar with the equipment and know how to handle situations in which animals can be stressed or in distress due to injury or illness.
4. Verification – In operations and facilities that have large workforces, install cameras so that all aspects can be monitored to ensure that proper handling techniques are being utilized and identify people, equipment and situations that can be improved on behalf of the welfare of the animal. Being able to monitor the day-to-day operations can be invaluable when it comes to reducing stress of both people and animals and identifying areas that are in need of upgrade, repair or re-design.
Finally, employees who see issues that are of concern, should have a clear understanding of how to report those concerns immediately, so they can be addressed and fixed. A clear chain of command should exist on all farms and ranches. Should the matter not be addressed, then the appropriate authorities should be notified.
Any operation that fails to do proper background checks, fails to properly train employees, fails to monitor day-to-day operations closely, fails to address issues of concern deserves any and all legal action afforded their actions as is pertinent for the state which they do business. Likewise, individuals who trespass, put the health and welfare of animals in jeopardy for the sole purpose of shooting a video to further the agenda of radical animal rights groups, should also be prosecuted to fullest extent of applicable law.
