A Better Person Needed

I had heard rumblings about the problems <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a>'s appointment of Stan Boone to the Montana Board of Livestock and now these rumbles are <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/28/news/state/30-livestock.txt">hitting the mainstream</a>. It appears that not only did Stan Boone flout Montana State Brand Laws, he threatened the life of a brand inspector serving him citations for the infractions.<br />n<br />nOf course Stan denies the allegation of threatening the brand inspector but does admit to violating the brand inspection laws. I've also heard rumbles about his not getting the proper marketing certificates when shipping stock to a livestock auctions. I will repeat that this is sheer rumor but to me it fits right in with his violation of the brand inspection laws.<br />n<br />nWhat really struck me is the report that most of the Brand Inspectors in the State signed a <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2007/03/29/news/state/35-livestock.txt">letter opposing Stan Boone's appointment</a> to the Board of Livestock. Now employees that sign a letter opposing someone who is going to be one of their bosses makes a pretty strong statement and ought to be listened to.<br />n<br />nMontana's brand laws are some of the strongest in the nation and can be used for tracking animals for disease purposes just like the government wants with <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym>. R-calf and other organizations would rather see a nationwide system using Montana brand laws over the high tech <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> system dreamed up by the <acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym>. Any person who knowingly violates these laws should not hold a position of trust on the Montana Board of Livestock. It's flat wrong. If Stan Boone had an ethical bone in his body he would withdraw his name from consideration after the brand inspectors letter opposing him came to light. I'm sure he won't but I hope the Senators do the right thing and oppose his appointment. There are plenty of good ethical cattle operators in the state to fill this position and I really wish <a href="http://governor.mt.gov/governor/govbio.asp">Gov. Brian Schweitzer</a> would appoint one of them. Why he settled on a person like Boone is beyond me.<br />n<br />n<strong>Homo sapiens, the only creature endowed with reason, is also the only creature to pin its existence on things unreasonable. Henri Bergson </strong>