Uncategorized /
Million Mutt March
One of my favorite places in Washington, D.C., is the National Mall, with its monuments and museums, its natural beauty and historical significance. It was even better than usual on Sunday, when I joined animal lovers and their dogs at the 2008 Humane Society Walk for the Animals.
Ballot Measures /
The Best Medicine on TV
The YES! on Prop 2 campaign launched two new television ads this week in California, showing voters statewide the cruelties of factory farming. The ads are narrated by two California veterinarians—Dr. Kate Hurley, professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Jeff Smith, past president of the California Veterinary Medical Association—telling voters that all animals deserve humane treatment, including those raised for food.
Elections, Talk Back /
Talk Back: Obama Endorsement Draws Big Response
Ever since the Humane Society Legislative Fund announced our endorsement of Barack Obama, our inbox has been full with emails from members on the issue. Many of you appreciated the information about the candidates’ records so you can share it with the animal lovers among your friends and family. Some lifelong Republicans are even crossing party lines for the first time to support the candidate who is better on animal issues.
Ballot Measures /
In Their Opinion, Prop 2 is a No-Brainer
The Santa Cruz Sentinel today became the latest California newspaper to endorse a vote of YES! on Proposition 2. While some other newspaper editorial writers fell for the scare tactics of Big Agribusiness on Prop 2, plenty of opinion leaders have taken a thoughtful and careful look at the measure and have come down on the side of protecting animals and food safety. I’d like to share with you some of the best excerpts from the editorials that have appeared so far in the campaign.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Join the "Bloc" Party to Get Political for Animals
Growing up in my neighborhood, everyone loved a good block party—meeting friends and neighbors, gathering together for a common purpose. Now, with just five weeks until one of the most critical elections in our lifetime, we have a new purpose, and a new type of “bloc” party.
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Uncage the Truth
Ever since “The Meatrix” came out in 2003, I’ve wanted to work with Free Range Studios. Now, the aptly named moviemakers are shining a spotlight on more factory farm abuses, and their new animated film urges Californians to vote YES! on Proposition 2 this November.
Uncategorized /
On National Hunting and Fishing Day, Hunters Should Walk the Conservation Talk
This Saturday is no cause to celebrate at The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund. However, on this National Hunting and Fishing Day we are happy to lend our voice and remind Americans of outdoor activities that definitely are NOT hunting.
Sport hunters, let’s remember, are quick to claim concern about conservation. Indeed, the whole purpose of having a National Hunting and Fishing Day, according to its organizers, is to celebrate “good conservation.”
Ballot Measures, Elections /
Paw-litical Pets
Last month I reported on congressional candidates who are harnessing pet power on the campaign trail. Now that we’re less than six weeks from Election Day, the race to the White House, too, is getting some attention from our canine and feline friends.
Elections /
Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses Obama-Biden
One of the guiding principles of the Humane Society Legislative Fund is that we evaluate candidates based on a single criterion: where they stand on animal protection policies. We don’t make decisions based on party affiliation, or any other social issue, or even how many pets they have. We care about their views and actions on the major policy debates relating to animal welfare.
Ballot Measures /
Herd on the Hill
Yesterday on Capitol Hill, I introduced Nigel Barker of “America’s Next Top Model” to a packed room of congressional staff and guests, where he showed his new documentary film—“A Sealed Fate?”—chronicling his work with The Humane Society of the United States to stop the commercial seal slaughter on Canada’s Atlantic coast.
Uncategorized /
Sheltering Animals from the Storm
The last couple weeks have had the nation bracing for the triple-fisted punch of Gustav, then Hanna, then the latest threat, Ike, which has left millions of homes in Houston and Galveston without power, gas, or running water. The damage has been severe, and we don't yet know the complete picture on what's happened to the animals in the affected communities.
Ballot Measures /
It’s Wrong to Count People Who Don’t Vote
In the 24 states that allow voters to create laws and place them directly on the ballot, legislators have tried some dirty tricks to foil citizen lawmaking. In 2006, Florida amended its state constitution to require 60 percent of the vote—rather than a simple majority—to pass any ballot initiative.
