Roy Exum: Vote DesJarlais Out!

  • Wednesday, November 25, 2015
  • Roy Exum
Roy Exum
Roy Exum

There are two good bills in both the Senate and the House of Representatives right now that are directly aimed at the sadistic villains who derive some sick pleasure out of torturing helpless Tennessee Walking Horses. They call it “soring,” where caustic materials are lathered into a horse’s forelegs and then wrapped in plastic so they’ll cook. Sometimes they use nails or screws in the pasterns of the hoof with the idea of making the horse dance in a very painful and unnatural way called “The Big Lick.”

In the Senate is Bill S. 1121 sponsored by New Hampshire’s Kelly Ayotte and thus far it has 48 (of a possible 99) cosponsors. There are 40 Democrats, six Republicans and two Independents in favor. Neither Lamar Alexander nor Bob Corker dare to sponsor such a bill, even though its primary purpose is to thwart the thugs in Tennessee. While it is a bipartisan bill that calls for stiffer inspections, greater penalties, and better oversight against the sickos in Shelbyville who allegedly “buy” politicians to block such bills, it has little likelihood of passing.

In the House of Representatives there is a companion bill, H.R. 3268, sponsored by Florida Republican Ted Yoho. It already has a majority of 229 cosponsors (there are 425 members in the House) that includes Memphis Democrat Steve Cohen but not one of the state’s seven Republican representatives. That’s because the “Dirty Lickers” stuff thousands of dollars into the coffers of our state’s Republican crowd.

So everyone who has watched the Tennessee tragedy unfold knew it would just be a matter of time before the sleazy “Dirty Lickers” called in a favor. Late last week, Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Jasper) had the audacity to introduce a weak-as-water alternative bill he calls the Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2015 (H.R. 4105). Don’t fall for it.

DesJarlais, believed to be one of the worst representatives on Capitol Hill, said in a news release, “…recent abuses on behalf of APHIS have threatened the proliferation and success of this Tennessee tradition. The Horse Protection Amendments Act of 2015 provides real reforms ensuring objective, science-based methods of inspection and testing. We cannot punish the industry as a whole for the behavior of a few bad actors…“

For the record, the APHIS is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. They will tell you it is beyond all doubt that the soring of Walkers is prevalent in Tennessee and DesJarlais knows darn good and well “it is a hit dog that hollers.” The truth is the APHIS has never harmed an animal or abused anyone but does indeed give “tickets,” which are still meaningless unless the good PAST (Prevent All Soring Tactics) legislation passes.

My goodness, for the “Dirty Lickers” to say they have been “abused” by the USDA is absurd; the first thing out of a cheater’s mouth is that he was cheated. DesJarlais, when you match his campaign contributions with same names on the “Dirty Lickers” violations list, is the very last guy that needs to be representing the people of this state. I’ll guarantee you people in his district are against all forms of animal abuse.

DesJarlais’ seedy legislation has eight co-sponsors, most noticeably Chuck Fleischmann of Chattanooga and Marsha Blackburn of Franklin. I want you to read this real slow: Fleischmann’s campaign contributions are thick with “Dirty Lick” money. You see, Senator Alexander’s bagman is Stephen B. Smith, who just happens to run the “Dirty Lick” and it is clear to me that “Do Nothing Chuck” is hardly a study in ethics or values. Personally, I can’t stand to be in the same room with the twerp and think he is the biggest phony since South Central Bell.

The fact Fleischmann has consistently stood for continued horse abuse by the Dirty Lickers instead of doing what’s right is absolutely repugnant. I’ll never vote for Fleischmann as long as I live. You could list all of his accomplishments in Washington on a 3-by-5 card and not even fill one side.

Marsha Blackburn is the one who sponsored the alternate House bill in the last session of Congress and – why not? -- Over $90,000 in campaign contributions to her have been traced to known members of the ‘Dirty Lick.” How she can even be seen in public is a wonder, much less tell her voters she will represent their wishes... Great goodness, the Dirty Lickers had a “reception” for Blackburn where reportedly she snagged $32,000.

Other co-sponsors of the Dirty Lick propaganda are Rep. John Duncan, Rep. Stephen Fincher, Rep. Diane Black and Rep. David Roe. Kentucky’s Andy Barr and Harold Rogers are others who should definitely be voted out of office.

The worst part of the equation is Lamar Alexander and Kentucky senator Mitch McConnell are the largest recipients of the sleaze’s largesse. It is believed they are the reason ex-Speaker John Boehner would not even call for the bill last session. We know Boehner is out and “sound” horse people can only pray that somehow the 75-year-old Alexander and the 73-year-old McConnell will be out-foxed by the better members in the Senate.

Tennessee is the biggest hotbed of “soring” in the United States and the state’s elected officials in Washington are the biggest reason why. They could give a rip for a horse – it is all about the money – and that is absolutely sickening.

Please vote against Scott DesJarlais and Chuck Fleischmann. If you can’t stomach their opponents, don’t vote for anybody. Our Tennessee Walking Horses will be the first to say ‘neigh.’

royexum@aol.com

 

 

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