Most of us enjoy a beautiful sunset, and it’s a blessing to be out on the farm where we can get the panoramic view, without it being blocked by skyscrapers and smog. Visiting city dwellers enjoy it too, especially when it includes the silhouettes of sculpted Arabian horses, other grazing livestock, or a healthy crop.
Some of us can measure our time on the farm in decades. Even so, it’s not unusual that we never grown weary of being blessed by that rare and unique painting in the western sky.
The soft pastels has a way of adding peace to the summation of a day, and the occasional streak of burn orange motivates us towards the potential of tomorrows progress.
The days end usually sends us off to roost in thought of another day earned and that tomorrow holds promise.
It’s true…
… But the fact is, heartbreak and loses can show up on the farm at any moment, and daily progress is never a guarantee.
The only guarantee is, tomorrow will be earned.
We may be birds of a feather, but when the sun rises, we each have our own way and reason for leaving the roost.
Some dismount to the left, some to the right, and some just keep setting there, nodding and wondering what they will or will not do. But we all know that sitting on the fence is not about action or accomplishment. It’s often about avoidance and letting someone else do the work… or are they just hoodwinked and blind to the need to get in gear?
Tonight we roost, at sunrise we rise to the occasion… snooze, you lose. Those who take action rarely complain, but they do have limits… Some more than others.
The USDA and NAIS are birds of a feather as well. They are paid for the job they do. They work in shifts and tag-team the tasks at hand.
We who oppose NAIS plans are not paid. Comparatively speaking, our energy and resources are limited…. But our numbers can be strengthened and purified, if we take note of who is still sitting on the fence, nodding, and wondering.
The sun has risen, and before the day sets, it’s important to know who is roosting and who is on their feet and taking a stance against NAIS.
It seems apparent that the Arabian Horses Association has been hoodwinking, sweet- talking, dancing in deception, and moving forward behind closed doors. Don’t be confused. They not only get off the roost and go to work, they sleep in shifts and tag-team as well.
We who oppose NAIS need to do the same.
To do so, we must ask our advocates to get out of the neutral zone and stand tall.
The AHA has brought distrust to it’s own doors: Suspicious activities and lengthy ties with NAIS formats, and intentional slow responses to come to the aid of members. If AHA wants to regain trust, it’s possible, because AHA representatives are smart enough to know how to step up… but, will they?
At this point, AHA cannot be trusted or counted on. They think this issue will just dissolve over time. It will not, but AHA may, and that would be a shame.
Now, what other potential advocates need to step out of the shadowy neutral zone?
That would be all organizations, associations, and clubs that have memberships and profess the best interest (now and in the future) for equines and other livestock. All livestock!
For starters:
Al Khamsa, Inc.
The Pyramid Society
Sheikh Obeyd Foundation
The Institute for The Desert Arabian Horse
Use your imagination: The potential list is nearly endless.
If any organization will not give a direct and simple response, you can be reasonable certain NAIS/USDA has their support: Directly or Indirectly. The question (s) are just not that difficult. If they insist on making it difficult, consider the leadership and what they hope to gain or maintain.
What questions?
1. Do they support the NAIS agenda?
2. To Arabian horse organizations: Do you support AHA?
If you’re a member of another breed or Livestock organization, ask them if they support the NAIS format?
• Be prepared to return for clarification. Leaders and staff of organizations of this type are smart enough to know, that the time is coming when they will be asked. So, ask now. Time is not renewable!
* Expect the NAIS spin.
It’s time to knock on doors, cross the lines, and work with everyone that is climbing off the roost on our side of the fence.
If you’re a member of an organization, association, or club you have a right to know what their stance on NAIS is. For better or worse, you need to know. If they are sitting on the fence, they are against you, because if they sit the fence on such important issues, they are selling you out now, and will do so in the future!
If they support NAIS formats, they have that right, but you don’t have to continue to support them. If they say they are against the NAIS format, ask where their voice has been heard.
All organizations, associations, and clubs are under the pressure of Big Brother NAIS/USDA. If that’s not the case, why are the majority of them sitting in silence behind closed doors as AHA did?
Why do you need to ask other organizations, associations, and clubs what position they have taken? It’s simple. They are not going to volunteer to tell you. On top of that, it’s smart to know who is working against your efforts… why support them.
… And speaking of support.
President Bush has just budgeted 47 Million Dollars to NAIS. That’s just the money on top of the table. That in its self is a big enough reason why opponents of the NAIS format need to work together.
With that kind of money, the manpower it will support, and the organizations it will sway, it’s time to learn how to sleep in shifts and tag team.
Go to the organizations, associations, and clubs that matter. Spread the word, cross the line, pull-together… Ask the questions, and make the answers public.
Good people work for NAIS and the USDA; it’s the NAIS agenda that endangers true freedom and good sense.
Do not underestimate NAIS power, or you’ll find your livestock, farm, and freedom to be a vision being remembered from a porch in the city.
Let’s go earn, not just our tomorrow, but a bright future for the next generations.