Firing blanks on Limbaugh

Regarding Baxter Black’s column last week: “Rush missteps representing HSUS:”

Poor Baxter Black. He fires off his rusty old six-shooter and doesn’t hit a thing.

The fact: Rush Limbaugh had kind words to say about The Humane Society of the United States because we work hand-in-glove with federal, state and local law enforcement to prevent animal cruelty, and to bring the guilty to justice.

The fact: Rush Limbaugh had kind words to say about The HSUS because religious leaders and rank-in-file Americans share our values: The harming of animals, such as dogfighting and cockfighting and mass puppy-mill breeding, is fundamentally wrong — and the tenets of most faiths leave no room for argument about it.

I won’t repeat Black’s other wild misses. He has it wrong about us. We are supported by 11 million Americans. His gratuitous name calling won’t change that fact one whit. If you care about the welfare of animals — all animals — take a peek at our work humanesociety.org

Michael Markarian

HSUS Chief Operating Officer

Washington D.C.

“Humane Society of U.S.” not so humane

It’s unfortunate that news media and policymakers continue to mistake the wealthy and radical Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for a mainstream animal welfare group.

HSUS is a “humane society” in name only, pursuing the same fringe goals as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). It’s also far richer. And maybe a little smarter.

Rather than causing spectacles with naked interns, HSUS uses its excessive funding (mostly from Americans who mistakenly believe they’re supporting local pet shelters) to drive a radical animal-rights agenda. It’s anti-meat, anti-hunting, and even anti-medical research. And it’s not affiliated with any pet shelters anywhere in the United States.

Sometimes a “humane society” isn’t really a “humane society.” And sometimes animal “welfare” advocates are really animal “rights” zealots in sheep’s clothing.

David Martosko

Center for Consumer Freedom

Washington D.C.