Spring Break
Bill Gates, the animal lover
By: Travis Holland
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Opinion
Lots of people thought his haircut was the worst he could do; then the government brought him to court for running a monopoly, but Bill Gates is making even worse decisions these days.
This summer, Microsoft announced a $100,000 donation to the Humane Society of the United States. Sounds like a noble deed, right? Only if you let the catchy name fool you.
The Humane Society of the United States, HSUS, is a ridiculous animal rights group that pats itself on the back and looks for donations while claiming to be America's greatest animal protection group.
In reality, the HSUS is so off-the-wall that it does things like claim responsibility for Congress' passing of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act. U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, R-Cal., proposed the legislation without help from the HSUS. After the act was already in Congress, HSUS ran a commercial promoting it. That's hardly "leading the charge" for the legislation the way the HSUS said it did.
The HSUS is notorious for its anti-hunting and anti-fur policies. Instead of tackling real problems, like exploitation of international fisheries or improving habitat for wild animals, the HSUS denounces the selling of dogs in pet stores and fur clothing.
In addition to its initial $100,000 donation, Microsoft included the HSUS in the "i'm initiative," which will contribute more money to the radical organization. If Microsoft is trying to get credit for philanthropy, it's going to have to do better than this.
Sportsmen, ranchers and animal enthusiasts ought to think long and hard about where Microsoft's priorities lie. Several ranching and sportsman's organizations have lobbied Microsoft to discontinue its donations to the destructive organization, but have had no success.
While spending millions on elections and campaigning, the HSUS spends very little on actual animal aid. However, it does do a good job of condemning American industries, such as the beef and poultry industries. Even if you ignore the fact that all Americans aren't vegans, the HSUS is outrageous in its assertions. The accusations that members of HSUS spew are outlandish and, in many cases, completely false.
Examples of how deceptive and untruthful the HSUS is can be found easily on their website. "Doves are backyard songbirds targeted by hunters simply for target practice." The wise members of the HSUS will have to excuse me, but I know plenty of dove hunters and not a single one hunts dove only for target practice. In fact, it is illegal in Texas not to recover or to waste edible portions of a dove.
If Microsoft wants to donate money to a malicious, misleading organization like the HSUS, that's their business. But Americans who enjoy hunting, fishing, wearing fur, going to the zoo or even eating a hamburger ought to take notice.
Bill Gates, keep your Xbox 360 - I'll take a Playstation 3.
This summer, Microsoft announced a $100,000 donation to the Humane Society of the United States. Sounds like a noble deed, right? Only if you let the catchy name fool you.
The Humane Society of the United States, HSUS, is a ridiculous animal rights group that pats itself on the back and looks for donations while claiming to be America's greatest animal protection group.
In reality, the HSUS is so off-the-wall that it does things like claim responsibility for Congress' passing of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act. U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos, R-Cal., proposed the legislation without help from the HSUS. After the act was already in Congress, HSUS ran a commercial promoting it. That's hardly "leading the charge" for the legislation the way the HSUS said it did.
The HSUS is notorious for its anti-hunting and anti-fur policies. Instead of tackling real problems, like exploitation of international fisheries or improving habitat for wild animals, the HSUS denounces the selling of dogs in pet stores and fur clothing.
In addition to its initial $100,000 donation, Microsoft included the HSUS in the "i'm initiative," which will contribute more money to the radical organization. If Microsoft is trying to get credit for philanthropy, it's going to have to do better than this.
Sportsmen, ranchers and animal enthusiasts ought to think long and hard about where Microsoft's priorities lie. Several ranching and sportsman's organizations have lobbied Microsoft to discontinue its donations to the destructive organization, but have had no success.
While spending millions on elections and campaigning, the HSUS spends very little on actual animal aid. However, it does do a good job of condemning American industries, such as the beef and poultry industries. Even if you ignore the fact that all Americans aren't vegans, the HSUS is outrageous in its assertions. The accusations that members of HSUS spew are outlandish and, in many cases, completely false.
Examples of how deceptive and untruthful the HSUS is can be found easily on their website. "Doves are backyard songbirds targeted by hunters simply for target practice." The wise members of the HSUS will have to excuse me, but I know plenty of dove hunters and not a single one hunts dove only for target practice. In fact, it is illegal in Texas not to recover or to waste edible portions of a dove.
If Microsoft wants to donate money to a malicious, misleading organization like the HSUS, that's their business. But Americans who enjoy hunting, fishing, wearing fur, going to the zoo or even eating a hamburger ought to take notice.
Bill Gates, keep your Xbox 360 - I'll take a Playstation 3.
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