Dennis McDonald Resigns from R-Calf

<blockquote>March 12, 2007<br />n<br />nTo Whom It May Concern:<br />n<br />nThe implosion of R-CALF occurred in large part as a result of the most ferocious power grabs I have ever witnessed. The effort started more than a year ago with a concerted effort to rid the organization of Leo McDonnell, myself, and others. A letter written to Chuck Kiker, the President of R-CALF, and sent by Bill Bullard says that Bullard was having trouble working with the former President (Leo McDonnell) since Leo wanted to work on other issues rather than the litigation effort alone. Bullard mentions that this “inherent conflict worsened in 2006.” Thus the stage was being set for Leo’s expulsion. I fought hard to prevent this outcome, but in the end I failed and for that I apologize.<br />n<br />nThe effort continued to oust the founders since many of us felt that though it is very important to prevent the importation of Canadian cattle, and particularly cattle over 30 months of age, continued litigation was not the proper course. We lost the original case and all knew further litigation had only a remote chance of succeeding. Consequently, I felt asking producers to continue to fund a losing effort without disclosing the long odds of success was immoral. Instead, many of us thought trying the case in the arena of public opinion and in the Congress was the proper course and could be done at far less expense. Producers need to be told that further litigation will cost over a million dollars and offers only a glimpse of hope. This policy debate, however, was only incidental to the power grab that occurred on February 8. It was on this date that Chuck Kiker and Leo were expelled. </blockquote><br />n<br />nThe full letter of resignation was sent to <a href="http://swifthorses.blogspot.com/index.html">Swift Horses</a> and can be found <a href="http://swifthorses.blogspot.com/2007/03/dennis-mcdonald-resigns-from-r-calf.html">here</a>. It is really sad to see that the whole founding group of R-Calf has now resigned. I felt the move to a lobbying group in Washington was the right thing to do and continuing to litigate was getting them nowhere. Denis explains all this in the letter very well and R-Calf members need to sit up and pay attention.<br />n<br />nDennis alludes to a new organization being formed called UNITED STATES CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION to carry on where R-Calf has left off in Washington. I have no more information on this organization but I am interested to see some information come out about it. Hopefully <a href="http://www.swifthorses.com/">Swift Horses</a> will have more information as it comes along.<br />n<br />n<strong>Change alone is eternal, perpetual, immortal. Arthur Schopenhauer</strong>