4-H FIELDS COMPLAINTS ABOUT HSUS
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 -- 12:24 PM
The leadership of the World?s largest youth organization is under fire after they allowed what many believe is a radical animal rights group to participate in their 4-H National Conference."They are not your local Humane Society," stresses David Martosko, Director of Research at the Center for Consumer Freedom. "Think of it as PETA with a nicer wrist watch and no naked interns."
He says HSUS is not legally affiliated with any animal shelter and less than .5% of their budget goes to shelters.
"They want an end to animal production. They want no animals in the circus, no zoos, no rodeos, no aquariums, no fur coats, no biomedical research to cure cancer with lab rats. They want the whole enchilada," he says.
Many of the 6-million 4-H members come from families that make their living in agriculture. They were shocked that HSUS was able to hold workshops at the conference.
"After they had their chance to distribute vegetarian starter kits and distribute why we shouldn't eat animals, a lot of people went absolutely nuts," Martosko says.
Martosko says the 4-H is a perfect target for HSUS, who he believes wants to undermine the marketplace, but convincing people to swear off of meat.
"Animal agriculture could go away in an instant. All it would take is 10-15% to take the PETA line and go vegetarian and you would see a dramatic swing in supply and demand, to the point that it would be almost impossible for anyone to stay in business and make a profit."
The 4-H National Headquarters issued a statement noting the HSUS presentations, entitled ?Animal Instincts: Service Learning and Animal Welfare,? did not include anti-animal agriculture views or positions.
We have contacted our local 4-H representatives. They say the state organization is working on their own press release to address the overwhelming response to this news.
Clark County has 24 4-H clubs, consisting of 480 families and nearly 800 youth. None were at the National Conference this year.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.