As they say, I am on my soapbox again!
First, let me say I think this is just another case of Steve Hindi causing problems for good, no make that great, organizations. Beyond any shadow of a doubt, the National High School Rodeo Association has assisted more young people with their futures and turned them into productive members of our society than virtually any other organization, bar none! Yes, I feel very strongly about this issue. There were several representatives of the Illinois Department of Agriculture and a veterinary on hand at the National High School Finals that saw no cruelty. Steve Hindi has once again proven he has no idea of how to handle large livestock so that they AREN'T injured. Rodeo livestock is not only worth a lot of money and only an idiot would not protect their investment, but they are treated with love and respect and live long, pampered lives and only work a few minutes at each event.
My personal opinion is that animal right fanatics have no concept of how to take care of large animals, no idea of what it cost to provide for them, nor what will happen to them if they get there way. Thank God we live in a free country and I am entitled to my opinion. We can not hide our heads in the sand we must watch what these activist are doing. In many cases their actions are more that of terrorist. They will stop at nothing to reach their goals and could care less who they hurt along the way. No one paid any attention years ago when a bunch of fanatics wanted to take God out of schools and last week alone we had three, that was THREE, shootings in schools! Drugs are a serious problem that every parent must deal with. One of the few sports that teach responsibility 24/7 is rodeo. It is not a sport you can go to practice a couple of hours for a few months each year and then go on. Young people in rodeo are involved all year around. Those with horses must feed them morning and night and that is the easy part.
Well I will get off my soap box. Check out this article and please support our youth rodeo programs, the good they do is immeasurable!
http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/97889.asp
Associated Press's Version
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ap-il-rodeoinvestigatio,1,3170368.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
