Today, we wait…..We wait…..holding our breath as to the future of America’s Mustangs and Burros, both on and off the range.
We wait…..while knowing a temporary reprieve has been negotiated, slight though it may be, that BLM will not yet act to destroy or openly sell our wild horses and burros for slaughter.
We wait…..for a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on BLMs management of the National Wild Horse and Burro Program that will, in some measure, decide the fate of our herds and their homes.
And we wait….for what Congress will choose to do, how they will respond and what solutions they will allow for their continued preservation.
As the lives of America’s wild horses and burros hang in the balance, this temporary truce has been made possible because of the efforts of the Honorable Congressional Representative Nick J. Rahall, II, Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources and the Honorable Congressional Representative Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
It was they who had the foresight to order a review of BLMs management of the Wild Horse and Burro Program over a year ago. It was they who stood up and spoke out immediately about BLMs recommendations to kill our wild horses by hook or bullet, a.k.a, Instant Titling or Euthanasia.
It is they that did more than just write a do nothing, say nothing letter to BLMs current Deputy Director of Operations Henri Bisson on July 9, 2008 but instead, listed specific, long time, well-known grievances and short comings in wild horse and burro management. (Click Here to Read Letter Demanding Accountability.)
These two honorable men have given the gift of life to our wild horses and burros, at least for today.
During this time of waiting, consider taking a moment out to give thanks, to express gratitude, to cultivate the power of appreciation and to remember these men and their efforts. Make a phone call, mail a postcard or a letter, perhaps even a contribution that says, “Thanks for your integrity! Thanks for your gift!”
Then perhaps consider taking another moment out, in a time where moments have become luxuries, to appreciate and send a note of thanks for the efforts of all those who have rallied behind the scenes on this long road against what seems to be overwhelming odds, who would not forget, who would not allow Americas Mustangs and Burros to be quietly eradicated, who have sacrificed and given so much of their time, their money, their homes and their hearts towards the protection and preservation of our heritage species.
And maybe consider extending your moment of gratitude even a little further by remembering and appreciating those ranchers who were not motivated solely by greed, who have helped wild horses and burros by keeping land free from development, keeping the water on, gates open, fences down, or trying to help the sick and injured when they needed it.
Remember all those in wildlife preservation that reseeded public lands after fires have scorched the Earth, which helped feed wild horses and burros, fought to keep habitats from being further fragmented, added water sources to help all species and cared more about the land and the animals than the revenue they could generate.
And finally, remember to appreciate all those in the government agencies themselves who began with a desire to work with public lands to preserve and protect our resources, who honestly believed in their roles as public stewards, who fought their own internal agency battles for integrity and honesty against political and financial pressures, who tried to make positive contributions in whatever ways they could and who often times were not rewarded in the slightest for their efforts.
For all these reasons, for all these people, through all these years, consider taking a moment out to reflect and express appreciation and gratitude for the positive contributions that have brought us to here, for the wild horses and burros that are still alive today because of all these efforts and for these moments.....
We wait…..while knowing a temporary reprieve has been negotiated, slight though it may be, that BLM will not yet act to destroy or openly sell our wild horses and burros for slaughter.
We wait…..for a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on BLMs management of the National Wild Horse and Burro Program that will, in some measure, decide the fate of our herds and their homes.
And we wait….for what Congress will choose to do, how they will respond and what solutions they will allow for their continued preservation.
As the lives of America’s wild horses and burros hang in the balance, this temporary truce has been made possible because of the efforts of the Honorable Congressional Representative Nick J. Rahall, II, Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources and the Honorable Congressional Representative Raul M. Grijalva, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
It was they who had the foresight to order a review of BLMs management of the Wild Horse and Burro Program over a year ago. It was they who stood up and spoke out immediately about BLMs recommendations to kill our wild horses by hook or bullet, a.k.a, Instant Titling or Euthanasia.
It is they that did more than just write a do nothing, say nothing letter to BLMs current Deputy Director of Operations Henri Bisson on July 9, 2008 but instead, listed specific, long time, well-known grievances and short comings in wild horse and burro management. (Click Here to Read Letter Demanding Accountability.)
These two honorable men have given the gift of life to our wild horses and burros, at least for today.
During this time of waiting, consider taking a moment out to give thanks, to express gratitude, to cultivate the power of appreciation and to remember these men and their efforts. Make a phone call, mail a postcard or a letter, perhaps even a contribution that says, “Thanks for your integrity! Thanks for your gift!”
Then perhaps consider taking another moment out, in a time where moments have become luxuries, to appreciate and send a note of thanks for the efforts of all those who have rallied behind the scenes on this long road against what seems to be overwhelming odds, who would not forget, who would not allow Americas Mustangs and Burros to be quietly eradicated, who have sacrificed and given so much of their time, their money, their homes and their hearts towards the protection and preservation of our heritage species.
And maybe consider extending your moment of gratitude even a little further by remembering and appreciating those ranchers who were not motivated solely by greed, who have helped wild horses and burros by keeping land free from development, keeping the water on, gates open, fences down, or trying to help the sick and injured when they needed it.
Remember all those in wildlife preservation that reseeded public lands after fires have scorched the Earth, which helped feed wild horses and burros, fought to keep habitats from being further fragmented, added water sources to help all species and cared more about the land and the animals than the revenue they could generate.
And finally, remember to appreciate all those in the government agencies themselves who began with a desire to work with public lands to preserve and protect our resources, who honestly believed in their roles as public stewards, who fought their own internal agency battles for integrity and honesty against political and financial pressures, who tried to make positive contributions in whatever ways they could and who often times were not rewarded in the slightest for their efforts.
For all these reasons, for all these people, through all these years, consider taking a moment out to reflect and express appreciation and gratitude for the positive contributions that have brought us to here, for the wild horses and burros that are still alive today because of all these efforts and for these moments.....
Today, let us be grateful that our cup is half full.
!THANK YOU!
The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II
2307 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3452
Website Address: http://www.rahall.house.gov/
The Honorable Raul M. Grijalva
1440 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2434
Fax: (202) 225-1541
Website Address: http://grijalva.house.gov/
The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II
2307 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3452
Website Address: http://www.rahall.house.gov/
The Honorable Raul M. Grijalva
1440 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2434
Fax: (202) 225-1541
Website Address: http://grijalva.house.gov/
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3 comments:
And wait and wait while Congress prepares to go on vacation.
And...we wait for 30,000 passionate people to quit spewing misinformation and hysteria and instead step forward and provide these animals with a good home for life. Problem solved.
By the way, how many wild horses or burros did you say you have adopted?
I agree with anonymous. I have done my own research on this issue and I simply can't believe the misinformation out there, much of it on this web site. It seems to me BLM has been given an enormous task with completely inadequate funding. If you passionate people truly want to help, now is surely the time. Adopt one of these animals. Give it a good home. Solve the problem. Be a part of the solution, not the background noise. I called to ask how many people have called inquiring about adopting since this proposal was first voiced...the answer...only 2 in Nevada. I ask you, should we protecting animals people like you aren't stepping forward to adopt?
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