Having a very interesting time in Newent ! We’ve met loads of local folks and peaceful demonstrators, wounded badger patrollers. The support we’re feeling is huge. We’ve been trying to meet with local farmers, but it seems that the NFU have told them all they’re not allowed to talk to me. I guess that says a lot – what are they trying to hide ?
Just had a long chat on film, though, with a great local farmer who ISN’T a member of the NFU, so he wasn’t ‘got at’ ! Very nice guy, who is somewhat on the fence, but frustrated that the Government isn’t prioritising vaccination for cattle. He’s basically up for vaccination, because he doesn’t trust this lot to know what they are doing, and hasn’t seen any evidence that culling will work. Was shocked that they are not testing the carcasses. Why isn’t he in the NFU ? Well, that’s another story. But didn’t you have the impression that the NFU was speaking for the WHOLE community of British farmers. Actually, only 18 per cent of farmers are in the NFU. Isn’t that pretty shocking ? When you realise that the NFU are virtually running the country, through manipulation of the Government. Well, it would be more accurate, though less kind, to say they’re in bed with the NFU, and the Countryside Alliance … the whole bunch of them straining at the bit, eager to get the moment when they can smash the Hunting Act, and bring back all the despicable blood sports they love so much. Badger culling is a lot different from Fox Hunting, right ? Or is it ? Isn’t it the same bunch of bloodthirsty thugs that are currently careering around Gloucester, that a couple of months ago were out there doing the same thing, slaughtering foxes for fun (legally) or digging out badgers for sadistic games (illegally) ???
Well, perhaps we’ll find out tonight.
We’re certainly hearing lots of stories which already blow the Government’s claims of ‘humane’ killing out of the water. Stories of badgers screaming after shots are fired, the sound of dogs finishing them off. Stories of wounded badgers escaping, along with bewildered cubs. Stories of badgers dying in front of people who were there to help, but weren’t allowed to help, kept back by police. Who knows … but perhaps we’ll see it a bit more first hand. Just watching the Mock the Week thing. Kind of funny. Except it’s not a laughing matter. Still, comedy is good. Mixed bag, really. A shame that you have some idiot accusing badgers of being the reason hedgehogs are in decline. This is a bogus piece of propaganda – lies, of course. Hedgehogs have coexisted with Badgers for millennia, of course. What they haven’t coexisted with, of course, is slug pellets and pesticides and herbicides. Spin, spin spin. And it’s OUR money they’re using to hoodwink us.
Bri (holidaying in Gloucestershire !)
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