Mar 04 2010
When Everyone Is Special, No One Is Special
Last night in Washington, DC, the Humane Society of the United States handed out its "Humane Legislative Achievement Award" to 131 members of Congress. Yes, nearly one-quarter of our federal legislators won awards.
Is it just us, or does this sound like one of those award ceremonies at the end of the eighth grade where the teachers want to make sure practically every kid gets a "Certificate of Excellence" for something?
This wasn't like some phony HSUS version of the Oscars. (Those are on March 20, and they're called the "Genesis Awards.") No—the Humane Legislative Achievement Award "ceremony" consisted of a photo op in a closed room. The Hill reports:
With this many awards to give out, it’s understandable that the animal-rights group couldn’t set aside special time for each of them. Instead, legislators were invited to stop by and pick up their award and pose for a photo anytime between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m....
A few Congressional staffers tell us today that most of the "awardees" never showed up to collect their awards last night. But hey! Did you see that? The Hill called HSUS an "animal rights group." (Memo to the rest of the media: This is called "accuracy.")
HSUS seems to think that it's conferring some sort of huge benefit on all these lawmakers, since it's an election year. The thinking is probably that many of these guys will appreciate having a "humane" endorsement (and a shiny gold star) to promote when they hit the campaign trail.
So we were thinking: we wonder what would happen if ordinary people—people like our readers, for instance—took a look at the list of all these fine award recipients to see if their representatives were among them. They could, oh, we don't know ... let their staffs know about this humble website.
Better yet, maybe a few enterprising constituents could run small, inexpensive advertisements in a "winner's" hometown newspaper. Something simple and no-frills like this:
We bet you didn't know participatory democracy could be so much fun! Let us know if you need help.
Image: Schoolhouse Rock
Comments
i wonder if they also picked up a copy of the RICO charges against HSUS along with the “award”...would certainly make a nice “package”
Best, I’ve been wondering how long it will take before all of HSUS’s buddies realize they’re facing RICO charges. And then how fast they can all disassociate themselves from Pacelle & Co. I really would love to hear how good ol’ WayneO explains that little piece of felonious mischief away.
Politicians are such a loyal lot, after all. And an award is such an incentive to stay that way, right?
Is there a way of knowing who’s on the list so we know who not to vote for next election?
I hope this will send a message that supporting any AR legislation is a kiss of death to a politician;s career…....
Oh Wayne will say.. Don’t worry about that..Look at this nice award.. Don’‘t you just LOVE awards.. I do.. RICO.. wasn’t that Lucy’s husband?? The one who played Babaloo?? Don’t you just love the bongos..?? or is it congas..oh wait.. I think I see a kitty.. oh look do you see that airplane..now what were we talking about?
Check the link above the Comments under Related Documents. That has the list. Sadly, way too many in my state (CA).
Doesn’t anybody get it? Our representatives through the rich lobbyists who get rich on the people’s donations are eroding our constitutional rights one by one under the guise of AR.
Just wanted to hear everyone’s opinion on this group.
Some say they are just like PETA but with a difference name.
Some say that we should donate to this group,
I say to donate to your local humane society instead.
What are your opinions on The Humane Society of the United States?
Very nice to hear everyone’s opinion.
Thank you for the article.
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This is it, (as in schools everywhere)
Makes each one feel like “I’m THUMBODY”!!! and that is what’s wrong EVERYWHERE these days, no reason to really THINK so they can TRULY ACHIEVE, they get rewarded for NOTHING!