Barack Obama is no veg*n, but it was interesting to see that he does have some compassion for the animals…
While speaking in Henderson, Nevada, Democrat Barack Obama says he won’t just be a president for the American people, but the animals too. “What about animal rights?” a woman shouted out during the candidate’s town hall meeting outside Las Vegas after he discussed issues that relate more to humans, like war, health care and the economy. Obama responded that he cares about animal rights very much, “not only because I have a 9-year-old and 6-year-old who want a dog.” He said he sponsored a bill to prevent horse slaughter in the Illinois state Senate and has been repeatedly endorsed by the Humane Society. “I think how we treat our animals reflects how we treat each other,” he said. “And it’s very important that we have a president who is mindful of the cruelty that is perpetrated on animals.” as reported by Associated Press Indeed, Senator Barack Obama pledges support for nearly every animal protection bill currently pending in Congress, and he says he will work with executive agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make their policies more humane. He has written and spoken of the important role animals play in our lives, as companions in our homes, as wildlife in their own environments, and as service animals working with law enforcement and assisting persons with disabilities.
Obama also comments on the broader links between animal cruelty and violence in society:
“I’ve repeatedly voted to increase penalties for animal cruelty and violence and, importantly, to require psychological counseling for those who engage in this behavior as part of the punishment. In addition to being unacceptable in its own stead, violence towards animals is linked with violent behavior in general, especially domestic violence, and we need to acknowledge this connection and work to treat it. Strong penalties are important and I support them, but we know that incarceration alone can’t solve all our problems. As president, I’d continue to make sure that we treat animal cruelty like the serious crime it is and address its connection to broader patterns of violence.” During Barack Obama’s eight years as an Illinois state senator he voted in favor of at least twelve animal protection laws. These included state legislation
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to allow creation of pet trusts to provide for long-term care of companion animals,
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to upgrade penalties for cruelty to animals,
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to require psychological counseling for people who abuse animals,
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to require veterinarians to report suspected acts of cruelty and animal fighting,
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to ban slaughter of horses for human consumption-significant because Illinois was one of only two states (with Texas) where horse slaughter plants operated,
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to create additional restrictions to make it more difficult for puppy mills to operate.
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He voted to end the federal funding of horse slaughter in 2005, and
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he is currently a co-sponsor of new legislation to stop horse slaughter and the export of horses for human consumption.
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He co-sponsored legislation to upgrade the federal penalties for dogfighting and cockfighting, and
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he is a co-sponsor of new legislation to ban the possession of fighting dogs and being a spectator at a dogfight.
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He signed a letter requesting increased funds for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and the federal animal fighting law, and
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he also sent a letter to the National Zoo expressing his concern for the care of Toni the elephant.
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He has joined the fight against puppy mills, and appears in A Rare Breed of Love: The True Story of Baby and the Mission She Inspired to Help Dogs Everywhere ,a new book by Jana Kohl about her rescued dog, Baby, who survived a decade in a puppy mill.
And Obama has said that “as a condition for letting me run for President, my daughters Malia and Sasha extracted a promise from Michelle and I that they could get a dog after the election, win or lose. So they’re heavily invested in this campaign, if only for it to be over so we can get our dog.” Humane Society Endorses Barack Obama Sept 22, 2008 ~ “While we’ve endorsed hundreds of congressional candidates for election, both Democrats and Republicans, we’ve never before endorsed a presidential candidate. We have members on the left, in the center, and on the right, and we knew it could be controversial to choose either party’s candidate for the top office in the nation. But in an era of sweeping presidential power, we must weigh in on this most important political race in the country. Standing on the sidelines is no longer an option for us. I’m proud to announce today that the HSLF board of directors — which is comprised of both Democrats and Republicans — has voted unanimously to endorse Barack Obama for President. The Obama-Biden ticket is the better choice on animal protection, and we urge all voters who care about the humane treatment of animals, no matter what their party affiliation, to vote for them.” ~ Mike Markarian, President , Humane Society Legislative Fund
Originally posted: http://www.catanna.com/obama-animal-welfare.htm
ttoste (3 comments)
It’s wonderful to see a presidential candidate take an interest in animal rights :)!
mothersson2002 (18 comments)
Ralph Nader follows at least some type of vegetarian diet.
xetvx (29 comments)
For what it’s worth and for other veg’ans who feel as I do but are too shy to admit it- I am not as thrilled with the possibility of Barack Obama as our next president as many other animal supporters are and here is why.
Firstly, it should be known that neither Biden nor Obama sponsored the Pet Safety and Protection Act. This act would disallow the use of random source dogs and cats for research. This bill is still pending and it resides within their power to put an end to such cruelty. In reality, Obama’s adoption of one small dog for his child does nothing in comparison to what this bill could do. I guess we can all see the personal and family advantages should Barack Obama’s adopt a puppy. There are none for him by supporting this act- other than inner satisfaction, which Obama seems to possess without clear goals to sincerely benefit the animal community, now or ever.
Further, it is my belief that the candidate who has outwardly shown more concern for animals by posing with one and promising a small act of kindness to his children by offering them one, does not equate him as the best choice to manage our country.
I believe it will take many rallies, petitions and animal awareness campaigns to alter our next president’s decisions to do right by animals- whom ever that shall be.
The bottom line for me is in asking myself that if Palin, Reublican VP choice, was not a victim of her environment- taught to hunt and kill- would Obama be receiving the type of support that he is? I think the whole story needs to be taken in perspective. We may do this simply by considering that Obama’s statement, “… it’s important that we have a president who is mindful of the cruelty that is perpetrated on animals”, in essence, is no different than Oprah going vegan for a mere 30 days.
Publicity, publicity, publicity… sigh…