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Re: Picket Line
>From what I've seen of them in action, PETA seems to stand for People With Too Much Time On Their Hands. I know that's not logically possible, but if OFA can stand for "An Association of Green Industry Professionals," what the heck?
Jeff, a quick check on eBay found 36 hits for "Coonskin cap." You might consider adding one to your wardrobe for speaking engagements.
JF
-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Ball <jeffball@usol.com>
To: Garden Writers -- GWL -- The Garden Writers Forum <gardenwriters@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 12:02 pm
Subject: [GWL] Picket Line
I'm now among the few garden writers in this country who has had a
picket line thrown up against them. It was my own fault, but it
does represent a challenge to any columnist. I happen to believe
that the explosion of the raccoon population in the city, suburbs,
and exurbs is a serious problem. So I did a column on the topic. Bad
mistake. At least my wording was very unfortunate because it raised
the wrath of PETA the Animal Rights folks. I got about forty e-mails
35 to 5 against. The newspaper got as many or more angry phone calls
and yesterday PETA set up a picket line in front of the newspaper
which caused the editor to go beserk. I was not in danger of losing
my job, but my newspaper was not happy with me, that's for sure.
Today, they (Detroit News) published three negative letters and then
some quotes from a representative of the state Department of Natural
Resources who quietly confirmed I had my facts correct. My political
sensitivity was what was lacking.
Killing any pest animal no matter the circumstances is not acceptable
to the members of PETA. I knew that, but it didn't occur to me that
my little yardening column would even get their attention. Nancy is
taking high road of course. She told me it was a bad idea to write
about the subject in the first place. I now owe her a fancy dinner
out because yesterday I was at the hospital all day getting routine
tests so she had to handle the maelstrom over the phone with the editor.
The whole incident is troubling. PETA wants nothing to be done about
the over population of deer and raccoons, ignoring the public health
problems those two groups pose. The legislature won't touch the
problem because they fear the response of PETA. The DNR won't
address the issue because they fear PETA and the deer hunters. My
newspaper is surely not going to let me or anybody else address the
problem at least in the next year or two. So the population of deer
and raccoons continues to grow in areas where they have no predators
and are protected from hunters. Lymne disease and rabies are two
very serious public health problems directly caused by deer and
raccoons. I certainly have no desire to raise another ruckus, so I
guess I just sit back and watch - very frustrating.
Jeff Ball
jeffball@usol.com
810-724-8581
Check out my daily blog at www.gardeneryardener.blogspot.com
Check out my extensive web site at www.yardener.com
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