“Mark of the beast” livestock case continues moving

[The Straight Story]

“Mark of the beast” livestock case continues moving

A hotly contested court case centered on farmers’ religious beliefs is now in the hands of a judge. Last week, Clark County District Attorney Darwin Zwieg filed his final brief in a case that pits the Old Order Amish against the government.

In Wisconsin v. Emanuel Miller Jr., Zwieg alleges the Loyal area farmer stands in violation of a state law requiring all properties where livestock live be registered with the state. Miller Jr. admits as much, but claims the rule infringes on his religious beliefs. According to testimony during an evidentiary hearing in the matter, those in Miller’s faith fear eternal damnation if they abide by the law, which they feel is a pre-cursor to the biblical ‘Mark of the Beast.’

...

The DA also says the state has a compelling interest to promote food and animal safety, human health and the economy of the state of Wisconsin. He points to testimony from DATCP employees, who stated mandatory premise ID would greatly improve their ability to respond to an animal disease outbreak, and if one life is saved by the law, the state’s interest is compelling.

An attorney representing Miller has already filed her final brief. The case now goes to Clark County Circuit Court Judge Jon Counsell for consideration.

http://www.wrn.com/2009/12/mark-of-the-beast-livestock-case-continues-moving/

[HBravo]

1. Food Safety is a priority

Europe is a lot farther ahead of ID of their food than the US. There you can trace the product back to the farm it came from from info on the label.

[KittyWampus]

3. This goes a lot further than tagging of animals destined for slaughter.

[KittyWampus]

2. Do NOT pigeon hole this as having to do with Fundies vs. Reasonable Govt. Regulations.

The Government will be requiring ALL livestock to be tagged.

I know many, many liberal horsewomen who hate this. It places an undue burden on livestock owners. Be it a horse, goat or a few sheep you're keeping for wool.

But then, I stopped following the issue and will accept being wrong, if that's the case. But last I heard, it was tagging ALL animals considered livestock regardless whether or not the animal was intended for the food chain.

[Nikki Stone1]

4. What exactly is tagging, besides registering?

Thanks.

[KittyWampus]

5. It is registering.

[Nikki Stone1]

6. Thanks. And what is the issue with registering horses and things?

I live in an apartment so I'm not really familiar with livestock rules.

Thanks.

[KittyWampus]

7. Large corporations with thousands of cattle can factor cost of registering into their bottom line.

It's one of those things that disproportionately effects the small business owner.

That is my understanding.

I just spent time trying to find the thread on the site I'd read about it. No luck, so take my post with the huge grain of salt.

[The Straight Story]

8. I do believe you are correct from what I have read

And I would not pigeon hole this :) I tend to give the amish a lot of leeway and am on their side on this.

I think it is usually the big corps wanting more and more regs on things because it allows them more control and the ability to run their competition out of business - you think their big lobbies are not heard? They are - and they work out deals that give legislators something they want and big corps what they want.

And we get sold a bill of fear, so that we swallow it all - in the end, the small farms suffer.

[Nikki Stone1]

9. I'll bet you're right on the mark.

I'm with the Amish on this one. They've lived here for 500 years and haven't tried to convert anyone. You got to hand it to them. :)

[jwirr]

10. That is how large packing plants ran small local lockers out of

business. Many may think that is better but people stood and watched my father butcher their meat. They knew it was clean.

[Nikki Stone1]

11. Ok, now I really want the Amish to win.

It's interesting how much control large corporations want of everything. I think they get off on the helplessness. Or maybe it's just the money. I wonder if this would affect organic farms and free range chickens.

[The Straight Story]

12. Half of USDA Farm Subsidy Dollars Go to Just 4% of Farms

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7350557