Post Brian Surgery Ride to Dwellingup

[Bolton]

I didn't get to see the above posts until last night and I am concerned. I say that what I posted was in no way political. I did not promote the campaign to end live sheep shipments, nor did I make the slightest effort to convince anyone that the campaign has merit. I merely stated, in what I assumed was a humorous fashion, why I had not gone on Goldies ride that day, what I did instead and how much I wished I'd gone on the ride. I do not think my post was in any way an abuse of this forum.

Jon, would you be good enough to send me that part of the post you deleted from Ahab?

Regards

[old betsy]

The so called rant that you deleted Jono, is pure facts. So, if someone what's too open a can of worms they need to make sure that they know all the facts.

Looks like we have the Australia government overseeing our freedom of speech.

Ahab

One of my best friends is an animal activist. Animal cruelty brings tears to her eyes, and YES it brings tears to mine. My friend would celebrate for the rest of her life if live export were banned... whilst I work for a company that exports millions of dollars worth of cattle on boats to Indonesia every year - and know the importance of this trade and support it fully. My friend doesn't eat red meat... whilst I work for a company that sells millions of dollars worth of cattle to feedlots and abattoirs in Australia that ultimately end up on your plate for dinner (if you're not a vegetarian, that is).

We are so very lucky in Australia that we live in a country of freedom (may we all stop and thank our armed forces for that) because we have a right to voice our opinions and we also have the right to be heard. But we do have the right to question people's opinions... we have the right to provide them with an alternative point of view ... we have access to facts and information to form sound opinions and make decisions accordingly.

And so let me ask all the people in this country, and especially on social media, why I see your posts of cattle on export boats - perfectly healthy cattle that have been bred specifically to a standard fit for export, with a tonne of paperwork attached to say they can make the trek across the ocean to a foreign country, to be humanely slaughtered in abattoirs according to Australian industry standards (the same way your meat is slaughtered here and put on the shelves of the supermarkets) - how is it you're posting pictures of these healthy, happy cattle on boats saying BAN LIVE EXPORT .... and yet you're doing NOTHING about the cattle dying by the thousands every day INHUMANELY on our own HOME soil due to starvation in this drought?

How are you NOT ok with live export ... but you are ok with this?!! Why are you so quick to post your protests and wave your banners and say the words ... but not actually put your money where your mouth is!!??

If you really care about animal welfare, and if you consider yourself to be a proud Australian - be proactive for a change, not reactive!! Give your time or money or SOMETHING to help keep our livestock from suffering at this terrible time in Australia's history.

We have people like Brendan Farrell and his team from Burrumbuttock Hay Runners who are donating their time and driving trucks in a conga line spanning 80km in length from New South Wales to drought stricken areas of Queensland providing hay and groceries to hungry families and starving livestock. That is something to be proud of. That is something worth supporting. That is worth standing tall for and raising your voice. That is about as Aussie as it gets in my books.

If anyone would like to donate to this wonderful cause and be a part of an amazing part of Australia's history, take a look at the Burrumbuttock Hay Runner's FaceBook page and see all the amazing work that is being done right now - this very minute! You can even consider it as an act to stop animal cruelty if that helps...

[Bozo]

WA contributed to the Hay Run see https://www.facebook.com/hayfromwa/

There are well intentioned people behind a raft of different causes driven by their own values, personal experience and relationships they value.

From time to time well run systems have failures even if driven by very capable people. Values change over time...many of us are descended from slave owners or those who benefitted from the trade and are appalled by child labour and child servants. We need to be mature enough to discuss the issues without attacking the values that people hold or the people themselves.

This Forum is not the place to convince good people to change their views or to indulge in personal attack. All that can do is to damage the club and take away from the motivation of people with diverse backgrounds and views that share the joys of motorcycling and the company of a wide range of people. We should be able to put serious issues aside and escape for a few hours doing something we enjoy.

Bozo

[Bolton]

Ahab?