FollowUp 1: Dogs Against Romney

That Mr. Romney is on two national animal cruelty registries does not surprise me at all. 

The first, Pet-Abuse.com, is based in Southfields, NY and is connected to the national Animal Abuse Registry Database Administration System (AARDAS). According to its website, the registry provides “a database enabling animal adoption agencies to research potential adopters for possible prior abuse history within and across state and national lines."  

Mitt Romney’s listing in the Pet-Abuse.com registry is for “neglect/abandonment” and can be found here: http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/11676/MA/US/ 

The second registry listing Romney is Inhumane.org , a New Hampshire organization that is part of the New Hampshire Governor's Task Force for the Humane Treatment of Animals. It bills itself as "a resource for any organization that deals with animal adoptions.”

Mitt Romney’s listing in the Inhumane.org registry can be found here: http://www.inhumane.org/data/MRomney.htm

Both registries are maintained so that animal welfare organizations, Humane Law Enforcement officials, animal shelters, rescue operations, and breeders can share information about animal abuse offenders and conduct background checks before allowing people to adopt or purchase a pet.

Dogs Against Romney asks: Should the United States of America have a president who isn’t even qualified to adopt a pet?

The question is important.  How we treat those who we see as not equal to ourselves is a good indicator of the quality of a person.  Mr. Romney's treatment of a dog is brushed aside by his supporters and they attempt to redirect attention by pointing out some of how President Obama was raised (at least one time eating dog in Indonesia).  But the question is how Mr. Romney treats those who may be less than himself.  Given his wealth, it is easy for him to see most of us as considerably less than himself.  His perspective on the poor and the contrast with his perspective on corporations is important.

13 February 2012, Original Pedantic Political Ponderings post.

Praise: Dogs Against Romney

Tomorrow, there will be a rally at Madison Square Garden to protest Mitt Romney's treatment of Seamus, a dog that was once in his family.

Dogs Against Romney is hardly a new website, dating back to 2007.  The point for me is that elected officials need to be humans who reflect who we are.  Mr. Romney continually proves himself to be out of touch with most of us.  Most people would not allow a pet to suffer for hours.  Most people understand that corporations are not people.  Most people, even those with lots of money, don't frivolously make ten thousand dollar bets ... both because it is a risky activity and because gambling is wrong.  Mr. Romney is not among most people financially or emotionally.

From today's posting on Dogs Against Romney:

A Dogs Against Romney press event will be held tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14 at NOON EASTERN TIME in front of MADISON SQUARE GARDEN during The American Kennel Club's Westminster Dog Show (SEE EXACT LOCATION DETAILS BELOW).

You are invited to join your fellow dog lovers on Valentine's Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14, to protest Mitt Romney's abusive treatment of dogs. The protest is sponsored by Dogs Against Romney - and will seek to focus more public attention on the fact that Romney forced his dog to ride for 12-hours on the roof of his car - and even coldly hosed the dog down with water after he became ill and frightened, soiling himself - before driving for hours more - all while Romney's luggage rode inside the car.

Note: Though Dogs Against Romney does not officially endorse any candidate, the event will also serve to complement "Pet Lover's for Obama" - these two organizations share a common goal: That public attention be brought to Mitt Romney's treatment of his family dog.

WHO: Everyone who believes Dogs Aren't Luggage!
WHAT: Dogs Against Romney Press Event
WHERE: West side of 7th Avenue, between 31st and 32nd Streets in front of Madison Square Garden - outside Westminster Dog Show
WHEN: Noon Eastern Time, Tuesday, Feb. 14.
WHAT TO BRING: Dogs are welcome, but not required. Signs and posters will be provided.

23 April 2012, FollowUp 1.