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So Miley Cyrus Doesn't Like the Horse Carriage Trade
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 What do Bo Derek, Liam Neeson, Willy Nelson, Alec Baldwin, Gloria Steinem, Lea Michele and Miley Cyrus have in common? Yes, they are all celebrities. But, they are also celebrities who have spoken out about horse welfare issues. Bo Derek and Willy Nelson were very vocal during the campaign against horse slaughter when the debate came to a head and received increased public awareness a few years ago. Derek continues to campaign against horse slaughter, teaming up most recently with Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.
Currently, the debate about the New York carriage horses rages on and celebs are voicing their opinions on both sides. Liam Neeson, said to be a horseman as well as an actor claims the carriage horses are well cared for and thinks the carriage industry should continue. His 'particular set of skills' garnered after years of acting are thought to be formidable weaponry against the politicians who want to see the end of carriage horses in New York City.
Related: Is it Time To End Horse Drawn Carriages in New York City
Related: Paraguay Bans Work Horses in City Streets After Outcry From Animal Rights Groups
Related: Is the Final End In Sight for Horse Slaughter in the United States
However, on the opposite side of the debate are celebs like Miley Cyrus, Gloria Steinem, Pink, Mary Tyler-Moore and Alec Baldwin. All are voicing in against the use of carriage horses. Mary Tyler-Moore, a former sitcom actress and now animal rights activist, has joined forces with the ASPCA to oppose the use of carriage horses in NYC. Last March, Cyrus tweeted about a petition supporting the ban of horse-drawn carriages in New York City to the disgust of the Carriage Operators of North America. They even offered to give her a closer look at the care and use of the carriage horses. However, so far, she's not responded to the invitation.
Celebrities have been used to sell everything from cars to toothpaste. From John-Claude Van Dam's amazing strength stunt to promote the precision steering of Volvo transport trucks, to Sofia Vergara shilling her curves and lanshes to sell mascara, celebrity endorsement is a powerful selling tool. So, a celebrity voice may be a influential way to sell an idea or opinion. But, what is that opinion really worth?
Back to the horse slaughter debate, and singer Willy Nelson's involvement. After the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act did not make it through the Senate, Nelson wrote a public letter with recommendations for ending the problem of unwanted horses. Among his suggestions was that those wanting a horse should adopt rather than buy. In an ideal world, this would be well, ideal.
But, seeing as Nelson's appeal would be more powerful with the general non-horse owning population than those actually in the horse industry, how wise (or safe) is this recommendation? He also suggests that horse owners find a good home for their horse, rather than selling them. How practical is that? Is he aware of the multitudes of horse owners who are willing to give their horses away to a good home, but can't find one? Nelson, in his position of privilege is lucky enough to have been able to adopt over a dozen unwanted horses. Not all of us are able to do that.
And, isn't it a possibility that when you receive something for nothing, you're less likely to value it over the long term? If you can't afford to buy a horse, how can you expect to pay for its upkeep? Nelson's ideas are well meaning, and come from a good place in his heart, but may not really benefit horses or the industry overall.
So, what is a celebrity endorsement of a horse welfare issue really worth? Is someone's opinion more valid just because they are in the public eye? What do you think? |
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Dark Side
I don't like Miley Cyrus she is very inappropriate and a bad influence on my baby sister she is only 4 years old.
I don't like Miley Cyrus she is very inappropriate and a bad influence on my baby sister she is only 4 years old.
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Apr 26, 2014
• 2,572 views
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