Post by Synthia on Jan 27, 2008 14:51:25 GMT -8
Dr. Williams specific "checklist" to consider when choosing a rescue to support. People need to ask, does questioning an action/policy of a non-profit rescue = a terrorist activity. It is interesting that some rescues respond to questions re: policy by namecalling rather than inviting feedback from the public and using that feedback to develop and refine their operations. When a rescue resorts to the attempting to villify people who raise questions about policy/operations by labeling them terrorists, one might wonder what motivates the rather "over the top" reaction.
According to Dr. Williams: (Dr. Jennifer Williams paper "The Current State of Rescue" www.aaep.org/pdfs/pressroom/the_current_status_of_rescue.pdf)
Unfortunately just like in every industry, there are a few unscrupulous people in the rescue world. I’ve been involved in removing horses from a “rescue” – they clearly could not care for the horses they brought in. They may have gotten into rescue with the best of intentions but gotten in over their head. Sometimes, people get into rescue hoping to make a “fast buck” at the expense of the public and the horses they claim to help. Luckily, there are far more good rescuers out there – and there are ways to select a good rescue and avoid the bad ones
Screening potential rescues:
-Talk to the Rescue – and Ask Question
-Why are you involved in rescue?
-What are your rescue goals?
-What is your biggest rescue success?
-How many grants have you applied for? What grants have you been awarded?
-How do you fund the rescue?
-How much time do you spend with the horses daily?-
-Where do your horses come from?
-How much has your rescue grown in the past year? Since you began rescuing?
-How many equines are adopted each year?
-How many adopted equines are returned to you?
-Describe your horse experience.
-Review corporate documents
-Financial information - 990s
-IRS Determination letter – or visit www.irs.gov or www.guidestar.org to check the organization’s tax-exempt status
-Articles of Incorporation
-Bylaws
-Visit the Facility
-Is the facility serviceable and safe?
-Are the horses being cared for?
-How do the volunteers interact with the horses?
In my opinion, it would seem that if a potential or former supporter/donator of a rescue followed Dr. Williams well-reasoned suggestions that they would fit the hysterical label of "terrorist" currently being used by a non-profit rescue in reference to those who have voiced concern/asked questions about policy/actions of the rescue.
Terrorists-this word is now being used by equine rescue organizations, one in particular, in reference to individuals who do not agree with or support them.
The following is the government's definition of a terrorist and defined activities:
Justice Department and Secretary of State can designate as eligible for investigation and close surveillance according to provisions of the Patriot Act.
• You need not be a member of a terrorist group to be considered a terrorist. If you openly represent or seek community support for terrorist acts or a known terrorist organization, you could be declared a terrorist.
• Raising money for or giving money to a terrorist group is considered a direct act of terrorism if the funds are used to plan or conduct an act of terrorism.
• Providing services or assistance to terrorists can also be declared an act of terrorism unless the accused can prove "he did not know, and should not reasonably have known" the services would be used to assist a terrorist act. Knowingly providing a hideout, transportation, training or firearms are examples of services that could fall under this provision.
• Members of terrorists' immediate family may be considered and treated as terrorists themselves unless they can prove to the satisfaction of the Justice Department that they were either unaware of or had openly renounced the terrorist activity.
• Spouses and children of terrorists can be treated like terrorists themselves unless "the attorney general has reasonable grounds to believe [the family member] has renounced the activity."
What is a "terrorist activity?"
Under the Patriot Act, terrorist activities include:
• threatening, conspiring or attempting to hijack airplanes, boats, buses or other vehicles.
• threatening, conspiring or attempting to commit acts of violence on any "protected" persons, such as government officials
• any crime committed with "the use of any weapon or dangerous device," when the intent of the crime is determined to be the endangerment of public safety or substantial property damage rather than for "mere personal monetary gain"
Merriam-Webster defines terrorism a:the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion, a terrorist is one who practices terrorism.
While not agreeing with an individual or a group may not be appreciated in no way does that make someone a terrorist. This term is being applied inappropriately and designed to incite extreme emotions in the reader.
It is unfortunate that such a serious term is being applied to individuals who have done nothing more that voice their opinions. It seems that rescues and their BOD would not need to stoop to such tactics.
JMHO
According to Dr. Williams: (Dr. Jennifer Williams paper "The Current State of Rescue" www.aaep.org/pdfs/pressroom/the_current_status_of_rescue.pdf)
Unfortunately just like in every industry, there are a few unscrupulous people in the rescue world. I’ve been involved in removing horses from a “rescue” – they clearly could not care for the horses they brought in. They may have gotten into rescue with the best of intentions but gotten in over their head. Sometimes, people get into rescue hoping to make a “fast buck” at the expense of the public and the horses they claim to help. Luckily, there are far more good rescuers out there – and there are ways to select a good rescue and avoid the bad ones
Screening potential rescues:
-Talk to the Rescue – and Ask Question
-Why are you involved in rescue?
-What are your rescue goals?
-What is your biggest rescue success?
-How many grants have you applied for? What grants have you been awarded?
-How do you fund the rescue?
-How much time do you spend with the horses daily?-
-Where do your horses come from?
-How much has your rescue grown in the past year? Since you began rescuing?
-How many equines are adopted each year?
-How many adopted equines are returned to you?
-Describe your horse experience.
-Review corporate documents
-Financial information - 990s
-IRS Determination letter – or visit www.irs.gov or www.guidestar.org to check the organization’s tax-exempt status
-Articles of Incorporation
-Bylaws
-Visit the Facility
-Is the facility serviceable and safe?
-Are the horses being cared for?
-How do the volunteers interact with the horses?
In my opinion, it would seem that if a potential or former supporter/donator of a rescue followed Dr. Williams well-reasoned suggestions that they would fit the hysterical label of "terrorist" currently being used by a non-profit rescue in reference to those who have voiced concern/asked questions about policy/actions of the rescue.
Terrorists-this word is now being used by equine rescue organizations, one in particular, in reference to individuals who do not agree with or support them.
The following is the government's definition of a terrorist and defined activities:
Justice Department and Secretary of State can designate as eligible for investigation and close surveillance according to provisions of the Patriot Act.
• You need not be a member of a terrorist group to be considered a terrorist. If you openly represent or seek community support for terrorist acts or a known terrorist organization, you could be declared a terrorist.
• Raising money for or giving money to a terrorist group is considered a direct act of terrorism if the funds are used to plan or conduct an act of terrorism.
• Providing services or assistance to terrorists can also be declared an act of terrorism unless the accused can prove "he did not know, and should not reasonably have known" the services would be used to assist a terrorist act. Knowingly providing a hideout, transportation, training or firearms are examples of services that could fall under this provision.
• Members of terrorists' immediate family may be considered and treated as terrorists themselves unless they can prove to the satisfaction of the Justice Department that they were either unaware of or had openly renounced the terrorist activity.
• Spouses and children of terrorists can be treated like terrorists themselves unless "the attorney general has reasonable grounds to believe [the family member] has renounced the activity."
What is a "terrorist activity?"
Under the Patriot Act, terrorist activities include:
• threatening, conspiring or attempting to hijack airplanes, boats, buses or other vehicles.
• threatening, conspiring or attempting to commit acts of violence on any "protected" persons, such as government officials
• any crime committed with "the use of any weapon or dangerous device," when the intent of the crime is determined to be the endangerment of public safety or substantial property damage rather than for "mere personal monetary gain"
Merriam-Webster defines terrorism a:the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion, a terrorist is one who practices terrorism.
While not agreeing with an individual or a group may not be appreciated in no way does that make someone a terrorist. This term is being applied inappropriately and designed to incite extreme emotions in the reader.
It is unfortunate that such a serious term is being applied to individuals who have done nothing more that voice their opinions. It seems that rescues and their BOD would not need to stoop to such tactics.
JMHO
