Chasing a cow over 5 states
The government keeps repeating that the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is necessary to provide 48-hour tracking to improve animal health. To some people, this sounds plausible. But even a little scratching under the surface reveals that these claims have holes a mile wide. My personal experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and animal tracking makes it clear that this will be just another program to increase the size of government and place individuals at the mercy of bureaucratic whims, while doing absolutely nothing to actually address animal health.
On January 22, 2007, an Investigator for the USDA, Carl H. LaLonde, Jr., of Raleigh, N.C. came to our ranch. He showed me his gold and silver badge and laid a health paper on my desk. He asked, “Do you notice anything wrong with that?” I looked it over, noticing it was a cow we sold a year ago. I remembered the cow. After a careful viewing test, I said, “No, I am sorry I do not know what is wrong.” Reply, “You have exported cattle all over the world and you can’t see the cow doesn’t have an ID number - it says there is supposed to be a number on the cow!”
Actually, the box on the form said, “Eartag no. or other official identification, name or description.” When I pointed out that the cow’s registered name was clearly typed, meeting that requirement, LaLonde interrupted and insisted that only a “number” would do.
So here’s the story: In June 2005, we purchased a herd of 472 registered Texas Longhorn cattle in Oklahoma. Each animal received a health certificate from P. L. Edmonds, DVM, of Morris, Oklahoma. In January 2006, we sold one cow, named Rosey Barb, to an Ohio producer. Her health paper was prepared to ship her from Oklahoma to Dundee, Ohio.
In August 2006, LaLonde arrived, unannounced, at Dundee, Ohio and quizzed the owner about the shipment of Rosey Barb. Being a first time exporter from Oklahoma, he was shocked. He was innocent of any wrongdoing. LaLonde did not ask to see the cow, health records, or if she was dead or alive - the issue was entirely about paperwork, not inspecting the animal or protecting animal health.
In our conversation, LaLonde asked me who was driving the truck when Rosey crossed the state lines. He assured us the driver who had crossed into Ohio without legal paper work was in violation. I assured him I had authorized the shipment and no matter who the driver was, I was fully responsible.
LaLonde then said that the Oklahoma vet was at fault for omitting the number. Since the vet was licensed by the USDA, the government would punish him. We had physically transported the cow to Ohio without proper documentation and would equally be in violation. A citation would be in order and the case would be recorded on our ranch records. I was required to fill out numerous forms admitting guilt and detailing each fact for further prosecution. Although I have never had a USDA violation in Ohio, ever, the next time something happens I will be treated as a “second time offender.” That will be considered, in USDA legal terms, “wanton, habitual disregard of the law.” And all because a veterinarian wrote the cow’s name on the form instead of a number.
I asked what would be done to Dr. Edmonds. LaLonde said Edmonds had no excuse. He knows this number is required and understands the penalties if he does not fill out a health paper exactly correct. Dr. Edmonds would have a hearing, and he might even lose his license. I said it would be depressing to think a professional with a major large animal health practice could lose his license over one number. Investigator LaLonde smiled. His job was investigation and prosecution, not fairness or animal health. Dr. Edmonds prepared health papers for over 400 cattle for Dickinson Cattle Co. and left one number off of one certificate and he will pay the price.
This was not an issue of BSE, TB, Bangs, a stolen cow or forgery. It was one number. As of today, LaLonde has driven several hundred miles about this one single number. It could have been handled by phone.
This is USDA. This is what it can be like to have NAIS enforcers at the door. NAIS will penalize vets, livestock owners, buyers, haulers and numerous livestock workers. One wrong number. What will it cost your family if we have a fully functional NAIS?
It is the serious job of every USA livestock owner to oppose the total USDA program of NAIS. Do this for your family and children. NAIS is cold and ruthless. It is not about disease—it is about control. Call your state, federal and all elected officials who have authority to stop NAIS. Each farm/ranch has a few months left to fight for your freedom against wanton, unremorseful, full time enforcement of the most feared USDA proposal in history—–NAIS.
As Investigator LaLonde left the office,he smiled, shook my hand and said, “I love my job.”
This is exact to the letter.
Happened January 22, 2007, at
Dickinson Cattle Co.
Barnesville, Ohio.
Submitted by Darol Dickinson
Howdo:)
Voluntary vs Mandatory? As the examples mount, are Americans Against comprehending that the above is a false argument. A distraction.
The USDA mouths Voluntary while offering to pay the states to enact a Mandatory system.
As proof after proof adds up, why isn’t the cry NO NAIS! Those of you settling for Voluntary, supporting Voluntary, will end up with Mandatory.
And then we all will.
The economic levers/isolation tactics are already being proposed. Big surprise is it. It shouldn’t be.
And still the North American Union(SPP.gov) goes forward with hardly a peep. If that project reaches completion you can kiss the Bill of Rights goodbye. You think it could never happen here? Then you are not thinking, then you do not see the perimeters of this war. That the prize is the end of the American way of life.
Nor that you/we will be ruled based upon International Law(when it suits the powers that be), and there will be no shortage of petty, by the book, bureaucratic tyrants as described by the author above. In fact, as there numbers grow, you should expect such tyrants to multiply; both in numbers and brazen disregard for what will be left of humanity … what with their teflon cloak of, I am just doing my job.
Wake up America, stopping NAIS is important, but stopping the implementation of the North American Union Parliament is of utmost importance.
If you cannot make the connection, I would suggest you make a time line of all the various and documented examples of human(e) disregard our government and industry have exhibited, which have been posted here during this past year. Then for good measure, research the history and implementation of eugenics. It’s an American invention you know ….
Because, you need to ask yourself(in Eastwood’s voice), “are you a breeder or just a defective”.
Please wake up America. For your sake.
Sincerely, Wm
ps January 25, 1996 Red Deer Alberta - Leilani Muir awarded $750,000 by Alberta judge; she was wrongly diagnosed as mentally disabled and sterilized by the province’s Eugenics Board in 1959.
Comment Mr Dirty Nails — January 26, 2007 @ 8:56 am
Mr. Dirty Nails, I agree. Under “Knight Says No Mandatory”, comment #14, I hoped we could network on which websites we visit on the Real ID Act, the corridors, and the NAU. I have been contacting my list to suggest they get a more exciting format to their websites. As I have told them, even though the feds and states still speak with forked tongue on the NAIS, they are REACTING, and that we don’t see on the other issues.
Speaking of the Real ID Act, there is this:
link
Plus, Washington state has a bill on the Real ID Act, per Celeste, I think, but I cannot find anything about it yet.
Comment Texas Goat Gal — January 26, 2007 @ 9:40 am
With that type of arrogance, I believe I’d have come up with a number - 357!
Obviously, this guy was a picked-last in school and probably suffers penis envy.
Aside from the rights infringements this behavior implies, it also tells of the outright bullying that will be taking place in our homes, on private premises, in front of our children.
Comment Blaine — January 26, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
While this was a terrible wrong, it might be seen as a blessing in diguise; we anti-NAISers now have full proof of what the supporters of NAIS have been lying to us about!
How about if we were to copy this article and distribute it to all of our legislators and the members of Congress? The USDA supports a pack of lies and, like Hitler’s mantra, they will continually repeat the lie until the lie starts to feel like the truth.
This NAIS mess must be stopped and must be stopped NOW.
[Please do send it and spread the word. Without your feedback the legislators tend to simply believe the ‘experts’ hired by the USDA from the ranks of Big-Ag supporters. Your voice is critical. -WJ]
Comment John Sherrer — January 26, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
When you send the letter on you might want to add at the bottom in italicised font:
(If you google Darol Dickinson, Dickinson Cattle Co., you will see that Darol Dickinson is a reputable business man.)
Just a thought…
Comment Valerie — January 26, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
You’re right, Wm. NAU is a big deal and a problem that for some reason fails to be addressed. NAIS is part of that issue. The military commissions act is a huge deal as well, along with the John Warner Defense Act and the Patriot Act, and Real ID. They are ALL undeniably unConstituional. In my opinion Bush should be impeached at least for the SPP, but no one seems to notice it. I’ve written them and no reply…meaning congress. people say ‘that’s a conspiracy theory’ when you send them to the SPP.GOV site!! Wheeeeeew. Please email me with your thoughts on fighting that.
Again, you are absolutely right on the voluntary thing. Arguing for a voluntary NAIS is like trying to barter about what caliber of bullet would be best to be shot in the head with.
Comment Doreen — January 26, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
Lou Dobbs of CNN has finally been covering some of the North American Union nonsense. I know it’s been tried before but maybe while he’s on a roll with his new book he might be interested in some of the NAIS battle.
Comment Sue F — January 27, 2007 @ 6:30 am
I sympathise with the Dickinsons.
But if Mr. LaLonde had come onto my property with that attitude…about the time he insisted that the blank needed a number when it obviously and clearly allowed other information to suffice, he would have found himself sitting on the other side of my property gate.
And…he would have needed a quick trip to the local emergency room to have his paperwork surgically removed from his anal orifice.
The attending physician could have removed Mr. LaLonde’s head while he was up there, as well.
I’m sorry if that seems a bit “over reactive” but you simply don’t come onto my property and talk to me that way. And you certainly don’t come onto my property and threaten me…at least not more than once.
Comment Rich Hoyle — January 27, 2007 @ 8:40 am
This really illustrates how dangerous NAIS would be to the producer. In this case there is a paper trail to show that there was a good faith effort made to follow the law. With a NAIS database all it would take is for someone with access and a vendetta (or not getting enough enjoyment out of his job) to delete a couple of records and totally ruin someone’s reputation.
Comment Ann Nelson — January 27, 2007 @ 11:34 am
I copied this and sent it with letters to my Congressmen and Senators, Governor and State Rep and Senator. They all got this one, as well as several other articles that have come through NoNAIS this week. Altogether, each of them received 4 separate letters from me this week.
After I sent the first one, I got a response back from two: Senator Mel Martinez and State Rep Ed Homan. I have gotten no other replies from any of my elected officials (although I did receive confirmation that my e-mails have been received by them).
Mel toed the party line on the USDA knowing what they’re talking about in his response. I expected as much. He’s like this on every issue I write him on, as if he’s patting my head and telling me a little lady like me shouldn’t concern herself with such things when daddy knows better. His letters are very patronizing and his voting record is abysmal. It’s why I vote against him at every opportunity.
Homan, on the other hand, denied that there was anything he could do because the USDA is a Federal agency and not under State jurisdiction since nothing in my letters indicated specific violations of civil rights taking place in Florida. I think it’s interesting to note that after I sent Homan a response telling him about the Washington, Virginia, Indiana and Missouri anti-NAIS Bills now being considered that I have not heard back from him yet. I’m hoping that it’s a good sign. In any case, I will take it that way until I get confirmation that it isn’t. I’ve known him to be at least somewhat reasonable when listening to the opinions of his constituents in the past, but then that was during the election, so I might be hoping for too much from him… still…
I also sent a letter to the editor of the Saint Petersburg Times… I would have sent one to the Tampa Tribune too, but they limit letters to 150 words or less… I have yet to be able to express the dangers of NAIS to an unknowing public in less than 150 words.
Anyway… Keep up the good work, People! Headway is being made! We are being heard! Send letters, tell neighbors, be loud. I know you know as well as I do that your children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors will one day thank you for all of your efforts and sleepless nights.
Comment Rachael — January 28, 2007 @ 12:56 am
I was curious to see what a search would turn up on Mr. Lalonde and found this:
http://www.usda.gov/da/oaljdecisions/vol59/Vol59_at_534.pdf
It is 46 pages long, but well worth the read.
Comment Ann Nelson — January 28, 2007 @ 9:19 am
Heard back from another elected official… This time Senator Crist of Florida (that’s Senator, not Governor - no relation). He had a member of his staff call me on the phone a little while ago. The staff member said that the deadline for submitting legislation for consideration in this legislative session was this past Friday and because they got the e-mail mid-Friday afternoon (this is not entirely true, that was the 4th e-mail I’d sent to him last week), they did not have time to get a bill drafted and submitted. However, the staff member said that the Senator and his staff (while not promising anything) would keep it in mind for next session. ::sighs:: It’s a response anyway, and not an entirely unfavorable one.
Keep writing letters, making phone calls and keeping the pressure on!!
Comment Rachael — January 29, 2007 @ 6:29 pm
One thing to remember all our Reps and our Senators have come from the same school of thought, the USDA.
Just about everyone of them has used the same response and the same form letter. They are not listening. They could care less what the burden would be to us, they could care less that food we produce is healthier, they could care less that the laws on the books already work, they could care less about property ownership, they could care less about US!!
What a sad day to realize this!!!
Comment Gisela — January 30, 2007 @ 1:36 pm