A conservative group in Missouri is picking up the backing of the Tea Party and Joe The Plumber in its quest to stop the Humane Society and other animal rights groups from passing “radical” anti-puppy mill legislation…. The measure, which can be read in full here, is called Proposition B or the “Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act.” It aims to help eliminate the “3000 puppy mills” in Missouri that constitute “30% of all puppy mills in the U.S.,” according to Michael Markarian, the Chief Operating Officer of the Humane Society…. “This measure would provide common sense standards for the care of dogs,” he told TPM, including sufficient food and clean water, vet care, regular exercise, and adequate rest between breeding cycles, among other things.
I read this story stunned at the abject silliness of it all. Really? This is the issue that teabaggers are choosing to take a “principled” stand on? Opposing the regulation of puppy mills? That’s the best they’ve got? Of course, if you believe in the inalienable right of Americans to abuse and mistreat puppies, I suppose this would make perfect sense. Then again, if you honestly believe that the Humane Society is an enemy of the state…well, isn’t about time you gave some serious thought to having your medication adjusted…and surrendering your voter registration card??
We have some serious, intractable issues that continue to bedevil this country: the economy, unemployment, two never-ending wars…and a collection of idjits calling themselves the “Alliance for Truth” has their panties in a wad over a bill designed to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) the abuse of puppies?? What’s next, protesting French Fries as a insidious foreign threat to Our Way of Life??
The Alliance For Truth claims that the Humane Society of the United States has a “radical agenda” and is “misleading the public with its intentions on Prop B. The society seeks only to raise the cost of breeding dogs, making it ever-more difficult for middle-class American families to be dog-owners.”
And the Alliance for Truth spokesperson also managed to claim with a straight face that the Humane Society doesn’t like animals and wants to put animals and humans on the same level. What…like there’s something wrong with treating animals with respect, kindness, and dignity??
You have to know that reason and level-headed thinking have left the building when Phyllis Schlafly and her merry band of pinheads decide to throw their weight behind those opposing Proposition B. Yes, how DARE Missourians be given the opportunity to affirm that mistreating animals is abhorrent?
If the Tea Party was truly serious about not being considered a political movement composed of intellectual and moral lightweights, it would seem to make sense for them to weigh in on the truly pressing issues of the day. For them to take on Proposition B seems a truly illogical and nonsensical tack for a nascent political movement hoping to make an impact and carve out a future for itself. Then again, if you truly believe that Americans have an inalienable right to abuse, mistreat, and exploit puppies…well, knock yourself out. Just don’t expect to be taken seriously.
Oh, look…here’s Nurse Ratched with your Thorazine….
