'Contempt' from hunt supporters?
In the old American South, runaway slaves were medically diagnosed as suffering from 'drapetomania' – the pathological desire for freedom.
The condition could be 'treated' by the use of torture.
The Countryside Alliance peddles an almost equally Orwellian parody of the abuse of language and for no less self-serving ends.
That hunts throughout our region and beyond are monitored by brave and decent members of the public, and are increasingly coming under scrutiny by the police, is quite understandable and to be very much welcomed.
Prior to the passing of the Hunting Act, the chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, Simon Hart, made the following statement: "The mass gatherings on Declaration Day will give individuals the opportunity to make clear their intention to take part in peaceful but committed civil disobedience should a hunting ban ever be imposed. This nationwide show of strength and unity will send a clear message that we will not accept unjust law."
That statement was the clearest signal that those who think they are above the law passed in our democracy would set out to break it; showing their contempt for the will of the British people and very foundation of how a decent society operates.
The systematic practice of terrorising the vulnerable and defenceless – simply for thinly-disguised kicks – will surely be recorded in history as among our vilest social traditions. All power to those who defend British wildlife from its abusers and stand for the rule of law.
CHRIS GALE Dover St Chippenham
3 Comments
by Jon Burgess, Worcestershire
Friday, November 07 2008, 8:45PM
“Get a grip Mr Gale it was George Orwell who warned us against dictatorship and draconian government if you remember it was Hitler and the Nazis who banned hunting.
All the great democracies India, The USA Canada Australia New Zealand and France have kept hunting with hounds, a sign of tolerance and freedom.
Sadly New Labour were aloud to disgrace the mother of all Parliaments when they took a million pound bung from the animal rights movement to force the hunting ban through using the Parliament Act .
Vilifying a minority, twisting democracy, corruption and the misuse of power were just what Orwell warned against - New Labour and the ban embody all such poison and hatred.”
by Giles Bradshaw, Rose Ash
Friday, November 07 2008, 9:22AM
“Ever since the Hunting Act came into force I have been partaking in peaceful but committed civil disobedience against the law.
I take my five dogs out on a regular basis on my farm in Devon and employ them to flush out and chase deer on my farm in Devon.
I have informed the police, the RSPCA, IFAW and LACS that I am breaking the Hunting Act in this manner and have been given written reassurances that I will not face prosecution.
How much more above the law can one get then the ability to openly and publicly flout it with utter impunity?
The reason I am above the law has nothing to do with my social status however it is because all parties realise that my activities are not cruel and that the law is absurd because it fails to differentiate between right and wrong and cruel and non cruel.
I will never obey this stupid law and I will never be prosecuted for breaking it. I have no problem whatsoever if Hunt Monitors want to come and watch me chasing deer with dogs.
One of the many reason the law is ridiculous is that if I shot the deer I flushed out my activities would be legal as I don't they are criminal. How can shooting a deer be less cruel than not shooting it?
If Chris Gale is interested I will be breaking the Hunting Act on Saturday week at my farm Whippenscott in Rose Ash from the early morning onwards.”
by Sarah, Surrey
Thursday, November 06 2008, 3:47PM
“If CG is against "terrorising the vulnerable and defenceless" he should have a word with some of these "brave and decent members of the public" about the way they single out and verbally abuse and threaten small children on ponies or following on foot.”