Are we in a free country still?

[DiamondSCattleCo]

Farmers_Son,

I'm not actually looking for a rubber stamp at the AGM, but I do wonder how resolutions passed at a regional, producer level somehow don't make it through the AGM?

What I would envision for a Canadian producer organization is an umbrella organization with no individual voting, just the regions. As resolutions are passed at each region, they would be filtered to the other regions for member votes. At the AGM, those regions vote as their members have requested.

Each cow/calf producer, backgrounder, and feeder get one vote at their regional level, and no more than one vote. No votes would be given to non-producers, and no votes for any director or SIG.

Pure, outright, unadulterated democracy needs to come back to the CCA.

Rod

[bombay_43]

Just as an add on note to your post Diamond;

How many beef producers are aware that each and every 4-h member that raises just one beef, is also allowed to vote in ABP elections? In doing so, we are now having someone, who most certainly does not live off of cattle farming, and in many cases are acreage “dwellers”, dictating where our industry is going. By these same ABP rules, two partners, who’s sole income is from beef, carry only one ABP vote, if their cattle are all sold in the business’s name.

Go figure, why we have no say!

[grassfarmer]

Bombay, As long as only 2 or 3% of eligible producers choose to attend and vote at ABP meetings you can't really complain if a few 4H kids are eligible to vote, I doubt any of them would be interested in attending anyway. This whole organisation could be turned around in two years if 80% of beef producers attended the meetings and voted for change - the answer is in producers hands.

[coppertop]

grassfarmer, many 4-H members are already in college, and those that are taking Agricultural Marketing as part of their courses already have an idea of what ABP is about, and may very well excercise the opportunity to vote.

I know of two such young people in one family close to my home that have cattle, pay checkoff and are keenly interested in the politics of the beef industry. I doubt that they are alone in their concerns.

Apathy among producers has resulted in what ABP has become, and as long as that continues things won't likely change, so I for one, will be pleased to see some young people get involved in the process, perhaps they can haul a few of their parents along to the meetings.

[farmers_son]

Grassfarmer: You said “I still value free speech and part of that is having free press, not press that is controlled by Government, big business or private interest groups.”

While that may be an ideal, the term “free speech” only refers to a press that is not controlled by government. We operate in a free enterprise economy and the press is privately owned, most often with a profit motive. Magazines and newspapers have two sources of revenue, subscriptions and advertising and it would seem that if the paper wants to make money the editorial policy of the paper must pay attention to the sensibilities of both groups. I am sure if you advertised your cattle in a magazine that ran an article denigrating Luing cattle you would not be a happy camper and most likely you would not advertise in that magazine again. Would that make you against free speech, no. It is just free enterprise and you would just be looking after your interests.

We are fortunate to have Agri-ville as it is a true example of free speech.

It is good you have found a fit in the NFU. However I suspect the NFU might not lobby for my interests as I might look for more free enterprise solutions. Different strokes for different folks.

[coppertop]

Excellent comments farmers_son. The newspaper associations usually have a policy on letters to the editor, with regard to content, potential for libel suits etc.
If a publication prints a letter or article that results in legal action due to allegations of inflammatory content, the publication is on the hook as well because they chose to print the item. Sometimes only a few words or even a word in an article or letter will result in it not being printed.

[grassfarmer]

Coppertop, perhaps you could highlight the parts of my letter that you thought caused it not to be printed because of possible legal action?

Farmers_son, perhaps you would like to comment on the main part of my last post?
Do you back the ABP stance on not allowing any discussion or support being given to the BIG_C group despite this being the apparent wish of western producers?

Did you support the ABP stance of supporting the findings of the packer profiteering "inquiry"?

Did you support their stance on not allowing a leader of another farm producer organisation to attend a press conference revealing those results?

[coppertop]

grassfarmer, in my experience in dealing with the media, and having taken several media courses associated with a previous position I held I suspect that the following statement would have raised some concern.

" In truth I suspect the ABP were more interested in concealing the list of defeated resolutions from beef producers'.

I am certainly not for one minute being critical of your letter grassfarmer, I think it contains many statements that are valuable and certainly thought provoking. The reference to possible concealing of evidence from producers may have been the reason it wasn't printed. Perhaps it could have been worded somewhat like this " It is puzzling that ABP chose not to publish defeated resolutions when doing so would have assured the membership that the affairs of ABP are conducted with transparency".

[grassfarmer]

Update,
After recontacting editors it appears Cattlemen magazine intends to publish my letter. Alberta Beef refuses to do so - apparently they will only include letters that refer to opinion or articles written by their staff. Seems rather strange - a newspaper or magazine that won't print letters that concern issues affecting their readers if they are written by fellow readers. It's certainly an effective way to deny free speech and the right to be heard through your magazine.
Speaking of being heard, in my last post on this thread did you notice I asked you some questions farmers_son? I really would be interested in your replies.

[rkaiser]

Think you could help me out with my letter writing skills coppertop? It seems por old Roy took my letter printed in the Alberta Beef magazine this month rather seriously and intends to get me back in the next issue. OOOOOOO am I scared or what!
Stay tuned. I offered him a truce and apolgised for hurting his feelings when he called to chew me out this afternoon, but don't know if he is ready.

[coppertop]

grassfarmer, clad your letter is going to be published. It will be seen by a lot of readers so it won't matter that Alberta Beef isn't going to publish it.


Randy, what sort of writing are you planning on doing ????? Post what you have in mind and I will help if I can, although you do seem to have a way with words, so doubt that I can be of much help.

[farmers_son]

Grassfarmer: I am glad your letter is getting published. I would think you owe the ABP proofreaders an apology. LOL You said “I am furious to see neither have in fact published it. Lack of space? maybe... I rather suspect it didn't get past their ABP proofreaders. How ironic if this bastion of freedom and free enterprise were censoring letters much like a communist regime would do. Time to wake up producers and realise what is going on with your levy dollars. “

If you thought the ABP was behind your letter not being published, do you now think the ABP has contacted the Cattleman and instructed them to publish your letter? Can’t play it both ways you know.

I realize you support the NFU. You have been very open and upfront about that. It seems to be me that you are looking increase membership for that organization and one way to do that is to cast aspersions on other major organizations. Hey…its politics and all is fair.

I do not the believe the ABP is perfect any more than I believe the NFU is all wrong. And no organization should try to be all things to all people. Hopefully we are fair about our respective criticisms and generous with our compliments concerning the range of organizations out there which are trying to improve the lot of primary producers. I respect your opinions, the fact that you are actively interested and working on producers behalf as you see best. As well I appreciated a good discussion on free speech.

However it appears to me that you were wrong on this one.