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Letter to Oprah POSTED HERE FOR REVIEW

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  • #61
    My apologies, jetsmom. I should have read more carefully before opening my mouth. Thanks for clarifying that.
    "My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we'll change the world." ~ Jack Layton

    Comment

    • #62
      Originally posted by jetsmom:
      Hitch- Thee people on this page mentioned race/slavery issues. Plus racism was claimed by the OP in the OP. I watched the videos of CW and read their story, and I never thought the problems they had were so much due to racism, but due to the flat shod/BL differences.
      I brought up race. Although I was thinking more along the lines of the irony that this family happened to be African American and standing up to a very much white, down home, southern group with a very interesting history with regards to race.

      I didn't mean to imply that they were victims of racism, more that I thought it was pretty cool that they were the ones to stick it to them and bring the issue to light, that's all.
      On the Internet, nobody knows you're a dog

      Comment

      • #63
        Champagne Watchout/The Jacksons.

        When you say Johnsons, anyone in the TWH industry thinks of the Ritz Carlton/Waffle House associated dominators of the industry who own Waterfall farms and have won multiple WC and WGC and no doubt have had a ticket or two.

        Oprah's cool. I have seen pictures of her and her TWHs before, but I don't know that she'd be interested. Write everyone... Write Bob Barker. He's currently on elephants, but I'm sure after this he'll be looking for a new cause.

        http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&q=...er&sa=N&tab=wn

        Comment

        • #64
          The Champagne Watchout story is just the plotline that successfully translates into a movie. The underdog taking on the cruel establishment. With a little fictionalization (mainly CW winning the class ) you've got one tidy little plotline.

          But, I'm not sure asking Oprah to do a movie is the way to go. Someone with film connections ought to write a spec, attain the appropriate rights and get the movie made.

          Oprah's attention, or one of the infotainment shows, would be a better forum for soring, etc. Oprah probably gets a bigger audience than dateline, etc.
          Keith: "Now...let's do something normal fathers and daughters do."
          Veronica: "Buy me a pony?"

          Comment

          • #65
            Honestly, Champainge Watchout is just not great of a horse conformationally. Sure he's cute, but I wouldn't claim him as a world grand champion. Did anyone see much difference from the flat walk to the running walk? I didn't.

            This is not a horse I'm going out on a limb for. He's probably a wonderful animial to have in the barn - but would you breed to him? I wouldn't.

            I'm not even going to get into the "all shoes are bad" and the race card thing.
            "Dogs are man's best friend. Cats are man's adorable little serial killer." -- theoatmeal.com

            Comment

            • #66
              Originally posted by dizzywriter:
              I agree that the TWHs background as a plantation horse is an excellent angle to get Oprah's attention.

              I'd say the same about the African Americans that would personalize the story, but that seems too many years old.

              Thus, I would amend the first paragraph I suggested originally ( a cruelty to animals hook) to one that opens with the TWHs dispicable and involuntary exploitation by slave-owners in the past.

              In the second paragraph, transition to the cruel methods currently used.

              The rest of the letter should go as I suggested (just a suggestion...)

              But I reiterate: stick to one page and one issue. Rarely will anyone read to the second page. Rarer still will be the non-horse person who reads to the second paragraph on this issue unless it's tightly framed, with a careful chosen angle.

              Also, I don't think a petition is the way to go. Petitions are intended for people who decide things. Oprah, despite her undeniably popular power, doesn't decide anything. Despite her flaying of Frey, he was still on the shelves at the airport bookstore when I left the US a few weeks ago.

              She puts on a TV show and you're only trying to interest her (or the people who read her mail before she does) in an idea.

              Good luck.

              dz
              I think it has been said but I think trying to pull race issues into this is crazy. I also enjoyed reading the story about Watchout but remember that is ONE persons story. Don't forget the truth usually lies somewhere in between.

              Comment

              • #67
                Originally posted by jetsmom:
                Sorry. I think race has nothing to do with this issue, and think that playing the race card is dispicable. I think trying to appeal to Oprah, and feeling like you have to emphasize race to get her attention, is insulting.

                I mean, why don't you just say "Midnight Sun was black and so is Oprah, so she should be interested". Ridiculous!
                HAHAHA THAT WAS FUNNY

                Actually I recall a road horse that showed in the New England area that was black and named Oprah Winfrey do you think Oprah might want to do a story on that especially since a white man drove this black horse.

                Comment

                • #68
                  At least the white man wasn't riding the horse, Oprah Winfrey! Unless it was Sen Thurman Thomas (I think that was the name).

                  Comment

                  • #69
                    Originally posted by mrsbwayne:
                    ...but I just don't think Oprah is going to cover it. I've never heard of her doing any kind of animal abuse show, it's always people problems. I could be wrong. But anyway, if there's not some kind of people angle, I don't think she'd be interested.

                    It's a ratings issue. We would watch as horse lovers, but what about Oprah's main audience? That's what Oprah's letter reader is concerned with.
                    Sarina
                    To be honest, I don't think she will either. If she does, I would imagine the people on the show would be from some of the more-seasoned Flat-shod groups, like FOSH as well as TWHBEA folks. I don't think it has the draw she looks for, but then again, you never know. If someone believes in something, then it never hurts to try, so long as people realize that rejection is more common than acceptance for messages like this.
                    "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; but if you really make them think, they'll hate you." -Don Marquis
                    **CEO of the TQ "Learn How To Ride or MOVE OVER!!" Clique**

                    Comment

                    • #70
                      Originally posted by alabama:
                      Honestly, Champainge Watchout is just not great of a horse conformationally. Sure he's cute, but I wouldn't claim him as a world grand champion. Did anyone see much difference from the flat walk to the running walk? I didn't.
                      I agree with you there. But the story isn't about the quality of the horse...it's about sticking it to the man. Fighting for what is right and the welfare of these animals (although I'm too jaded to think flat shod horses aren't subject to atrocities as well).
                      Keith: "Now...let's do something normal fathers and daughters do."
                      Veronica: "Buy me a pony?"

                      Comment

                      • #71
                        Good idea. I agree with the sentiment that the letter needs to be shorter. Your need to convince her why she should look into this further. You can leave out lots of the details for now. Go straight for the punch: human interest story about a young girl who is defying (cruel) convention and still suceeding with her horse. And then mention how twisted and cruel the industry has become where in an effort to win many trainers chemically burn, chain, or do other things to make the horse's feet so painful he picks them up as high as possible. Can you make it it in 1 page (2 pages at most?)

                        I'd also leave out the part about your personal views, such as your views on barefooting. This is a group letter so it should reflect the boardmembers as a whole.

                        Don't go into too much detail; assume she doens't know anything about a horse. Avoid technical words like pastern. Put it in simple terms: strong acid + lower legs = energetic movement from pain. Abuse yields blue ribbons. Young girl who defies all this to go to top. Once public knows the whole story, the cruelty will have to stop.

                        Why not also send a similar letter to other celebreties. This how PR works: sending letters and pressreleases out to anyone who will listen until someone picks up the story. The more people who hear about this, the better.
                        Veterinarians for Equine Welfare

                        Comment

                        • #72
                          I'm all for fighting for what's right if you can back it up.

                          My sister breeds and raises TWHs - all either flat or plantation shod. Soring goes on in those catagories, too. And it's incredibly political. She doesn't show anymore because of the soring and the political aspect. She did take one of her young geldings to the Celebration years ago and got third in his class.

                          And actually, I think a lot of the story should be about the quality of the horse. Champainge Watchout would never be a National Grand Champion. You want to go up against the big guys, bring the best out there. Champainge Watchout isn't that.

                          What man are we sticking it to? Give me a outstanding horse and I'll be right there with you.
                          "Dogs are man's best friend. Cats are man's adorable little serial killer." -- theoatmeal.com

                          Comment

                          • #73
                            Originally posted by paw:

                            I would ask you to please not attempt to speak for everyone on the board(s). While I seriously doubt that there _are_ people who would defend these actions, as you yourself said, it's an eclectic group. Make it a petition, and like-minded people can sign it. But don't claim you speak for everyone here.

                            Thanks.
                            Agreed 100%. Please.

                            edited to add... i don't in any whay shape or form condone the abuse some of those twh must endure. i have seen it with my own eyes and it is saddening. but i don't like others speaking for me without my personal consent, especially when i only agree to about 75% of the letter's content. thanks.
                            Dreaming in Color

                            Comment

                            • #74
                              Originally posted by drmgncolor:
                              <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by paw:

                              I would ask you to please not attempt to speak for everyone on the board(s). While I seriously doubt that there _are_ people who would defend these actions, as you yourself said, it's an eclectic group. Make it a petition, and like-minded people can sign it. But don't claim you speak for everyone here.

                              Thanks.
                              Agreed 100%. Please. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

                              I also do not agree with you speaking for COTH.

                              The majority of us are not TWH people, and it seems as if you don't know 100% of the facts anyway - all thru hearsay - I think only those directly familiar with the problems should be the ones 'reporting it' you are just paraphrasing what you have read somewhere else. In such a law friendly country that could boarder on slander.

                              Comment

                              • #75
                                Originally posted by diba:
                                The majority of us are not TWH people, and it seems as if you don't know 100% of the facts anyway - all thru hearsay - I think only those directly familiar with the problems should be the ones 'reporting it' you are just paraphrasing what you have read somewhere else. In such a law friendly country that could boarder on slander.
                                And even "us" TWH people don't agree.

                                I don't want MY name on THIS letter!

                                Steph

                                Comment

                                • #76
                                  Originally posted by StefffiC:
                                  [And even "us" TWH people don't agree.

                                  I don't want MY name on THIS letter!

                                  Steph
                                  Ditto. I'll sign on something asking her to help end soring, but not the letter as it stands.
                                  "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; but if you really make them think, they'll hate you." -Don Marquis
                                  **CEO of the TQ "Learn How To Ride or MOVE OVER!!" Clique**

                                  Comment

                                  • #77
                                    I certainly am against soring! The race issue is totally stupid and I am also concerned that there is a possibility of incorrect information being put out. I know how much crazy stuff is posted here about the ASB so I am a bit sensitive to other breeds that come under this kind of group hatred

                                    Comment

                                    • #78
                                      I would be more than happy to sign my name to the letter, but I do agree that the blanket coth statements probably aren't a good idea. There are quite a few coth members who are pro-big lick so the blanket "coth wants this to stop" statement wouldn't be very accurate.

                                      But otherwise, GREAT JOB! I read the letter when you initially posted it, but its not there now so I can't read it again. Can you PT me with it? Also I'm sending you a PT in a few minutes, so check your box Kat!

                                      Comment

                                      • #79
                                        I totally agree with everyone else who said to drop the race angle - I wouldn't doubt that some of the parties involved might have been a wee bit racist, but to play that up is a complete slap in the face to those who have suffered real racism.

                                        Also ditto the removal of any mention of natural hoof trimming - you didn't sound like a zealot, but it would be easy to make the automatic assumption, because you KNOW that Oprah must receive mail from all kinds of wackos with agendas to push.

                                        Other than that, I'd say trim it down a little and fire it off.

                                        Comment

                                        • #80
                                          Originally posted by drmgncolor:
                                          <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by paw:

                                          I would ask you to please not attempt to speak for everyone on the board(s). While I seriously doubt that there _are_ people who would defend these actions, as you yourself said, it's an eclectic group. Make it a petition, and like-minded people can sign it. But don't claim you speak for everyone here.

                                          Thanks.
                                          Agreed 100%. Please.

                                          edited to add... i don't in any whay shape or form condone the abuse some of those twh must endure. i have seen it with my own eyes and it is saddening. but i don't like others speaking for me without my personal consent, especially when i only agree to about 75% of the letter's content. thanks. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
                                          Ditto!

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