Vote no to HR 2673

The U.S. House has recently passed HR 2673. This bill has an amendment by Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregan, which provides funding of $800,000 to the Inspectors General Office. This funding is earmarked for the enforcement of the ban on interstate shipment of game fowl.

We find this amendment completely and totally unacceptable. We ask that you vote no to HR 2673. In particular we ask that you vote no to that amendment, or any other amendment that would provide funds for that use.

There are many causes that are in need of funds. We sincerely feel that $800,000 would be better spent by applying that money towards those causes instead. Causes such as the prevention of child abuse, domestic abuse, safe houses, medical research, the war on drugs etc Domestic terrorism has become a problem in the United States. Why not place that money into a reward program to help counteract domestic terrorism? Then perhaps our medical researchers would not live in fear of their lives.

There are other reasons not to support the amendment to HR 2673 as well. The constitutionality of the law regarding the ban on the interstate shipment and transportation of game fowl is currently being challenged. There has been no ruling to those challenges as of yet. That law was based on inaccurate and incomplete information furnished by the HSUS. The issue of cockfighting has been sensationalized by the HSUS and other animal rights organizations to further their goal of ending all animal use. For example there is no evidence that Exotic Newcastle Disease was brought into California or spread by cock fighters or game fowl at all. In fact it was determined the most likely source of END entering the country was by smuggled parrots! American game fowl is sold in other countries not usually bought from them. In short these groups have used emotion rather than facts to yank your chains and push your panic buttons! But it is not too late to repair some of the damage. Say no to HR 2673.

Many people have made their living selling game fowl to residents of states and other countries where cockfighting is legal. The United States government has made no provision to compensate these people for the loss of their fowl or income. We find it disgusting that elected officials would fund a federal office to become chicken police and chase these people down. Most especially when there are thieves, murderers, and terrorist walking our streets. There are crystal meth labs being built daily and drug dealers on nearly every street corner. Our medical labs and restaurants are being blown up. Do you really want our prisons filled with chicken farmers? If not, say no to HR 2673.

We cannot stress enough how strongly dissatisfied we as American Citizens are toward the current trend of our government to legislate, regulate, and invalidate the rights of American Citizens regarding the use of animals. It is within your power as our elected officials to stop this trend. Begin by voting no on HR 2673.