I
think Michael Markarian will probably smile if he reads this post showing how I used the
wonderful Humane Scoreboard he puts out twice a year re the animal issues confronting
Congress.
You may as I- received some Christmas greetings from members of Congress.
Though I am a Buckeye, I received 6 of them from legislators in W.Virginia,
Minnesota, Illinois, Vermont, Connecticut, and Arizona. The three that I most appreciated were
the last three because when I checked their scores on the Humane Scoreboard, they
each scored 100. God bless Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Richard Blumenthal of
Connecticut, and Raul Grijalva of Arizona. The other three scored poorly in this
regard. I thank God for the three who scored so beautifully and all the others on the
Humane Scoreboard who voted similarly and compassionately.
Their presence in
Congress is much needed in trying to make our land a better place for the animals
who suffer in so many cruel ways at our hands as in the CAFOs where life such as it
is- is pure hell. The wild horses of the West are inhumanely rounded up by the BLM
helicopters and some of them will end up in the cruel slaughterhouses of Mexico and Canada.
We need to address their pain and all the other animals we hurt and make our nation
a better place for them to live in. Certainly the Christ Child would be pleased if
we did this because He loves all His creatures -- including them.
And of course, animals played an important role at Jesus' birth. In the
cave where He was born was the donkey who had carried Mary across the desert to
Bethlehem. Near him (or her) was an ox whose breath helped to keep the Infant Jesus warm.
Soon the small cave would be filled with the shepherds whom the angels had
called to come and see and adore the new born King. Of course, they brought their
sheep and lambs with them, and some of them had the privilege of going into the
cave also. What would the Christmas scene be without the animals?
Later the lumbering camels carrying the Wise Men who followed the beautiful
star would make their appearance. They too have a place in this miraculous
happening.
And now the names of the legislators who voted compassionately for the
animals. By their votes they have said that yes, animals are precious in the eyes of
the new born King.
SENATE (80 or 100 SCORES)
Barbara Boxer and Diane Fienstein of California
Richard Blumental and Christopher Murphy of Connecticut
Thomas Carper and Chris Coons of Delaware
Brian Schatz of Hawaii
Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk of Illinois
Mary Landrieu and David Vitter of Louisiana
Susan Collins of Maine
Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan
Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire
Robert Menendez of New Jersey (Cory Booker filled a seat and couldn't vote
at this time)
Martin Heinrich of New Mexico
Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon
Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island
Patrick Leahy and Bernard Sanders of Vermont
Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (75-100 SCORES)
Because there are 435 Representatives, I am only able to mention the
number of compassionate legislators state by state.
Alabama --0
Alaska --0
Arizona-2 out of 9
Arkansas --0
California --34 out of 52 * they deserve a star!
Colorado -- 3 out of 7
Connecticut --5 out of 5 * another star!
Delaware -- 1 out of 1* another star!
Florida -- 9 out of 27
Georgia --3 out of 14
Hawaii -- 2 out of 2 * another star!
Idaho -- 0
Illinois --7 out of 17
Indiana -- 1 out of 9
Iowa -- 0
Kansas -- 0
Kentucky -- 1 out of 6
Louisiana -- 0
Maine -- 2 out of 2*-- another star!
Maryland -- 6 out of 8* another star!
Massachusetts --8 out of 8*-another star!
Michigan -- 4 out of 14
Minnesota --3 out of 8
Mississippi -0
Missouri --1 out of 7
Montana --0
Nebraska --0
Nevada -- 1 out of 4
New Hampshire -- 2 out of 2* -- another star!
New Jersey --10 out of 12* --another star!
New Mexico --2 out of 3* -- another star!
New York --17 out of 27* --another star!
North Carolina --2 out of 13
North Dakota -- 0
Ohio --1 out of 15 (My state -- very, very disappointing)
Oklahoma --0
Oregon --4 out of 5* --another star!
Pennsylvania --7 out of 18
Rhode Island -- 2 out of 2* -- another star!
S.Carolina -- 0
Tennessee --1 out of 9
Texas -- 7 out of 35
Utah -- 0
Vermont -- 1 out of 1* --another star
Virginia -- 3 out of 11
Washington -- 5 out of 10
W. Virginia -- 0
Wisconsin -- 2 out of 8
Wyoming -- 0
Not having the time to analyze the telling results, it probably is evident
that the Northeast and California deserve kudos for generally voting
compassionately for the animals. The Southern states and the Upper Midwest states sadly did not. Maybe you have noticed some other telling results
from the Humane Scoreboard that I have not, but be that as it may, I am once
again grateful to Michael Markarian and his work on the Humane Scoreboard. If we are disappointed in our perspective legislators, I think this should be
made known to them. If you are happy with their votes, this too will certainly
be welcome news to them.
