Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act

Thesis Statement:

Federal Government should halt the roundups of wild horses in the west.

Argumentive essay

Lily Tomlin, along with singer/actress Sheryl Crow, actors Mariana Tosca, Viggo Mortensen, Kevin Nealon and musicians Shaunna Hall and Neil Schon,  have added their voices to more than 150 organizations and thousands of individuals asking President Barack Obama and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to halt the round-ups of America's wild horses and burros.

Mariana Tosca issued a statement, "With virtually no oversight, the BLM's maneuvers are methodically cleansing the land of these animals who have become an inconvenience and impediment to the goals of the ranching, gas and oil industries.

"It is the action of arrogance and the lowest instincts of man to place greed above the rights of others and to shape policy to fit private agendas. Millions of head of cattle are grazing on public ranges - public ranges that were designated for these wild horses and burros on land that belongs to American taxpayers, not to private entities.

"These horses are connected to this land; their ancestors roamed unfettered on it over a million years ago. They represent the basic principal that our nation was founded on: FREEDOM. These animals are the physical embodiment of all that we as people and as a nation aspire to... liberty and self-determination. And at some level that resonates with each and every one of us. With every BLM round up that is allowed to happen, our heritage is under siege." Tosca continues, "We have to stop eroding the law that ensures their protection, simply to cater to and placate private entities. America faces a very real risk that the wild horse will go the way of the buffalo, wiped out by a zealous hunt to make room for commercial interests.          

"Since the BLM is a government agency, with perceived mismanagement and conflict of interest issues, the public has a right to call for an independent audit of the horses in BLM managed short and long term holding facilities, as well as an independent count of the horses remaining on the ranges. The management of our remaining wild horses should be moved to another agency."

Sheryl Crow issued a statement, ""We ask that President Obama or Secretary Salazar cease all BLM roundups as of this date to prevent further suffering. We request that the government and BLM begin to work in good faith with wild horse advocates for a sustainable solution. The Calico Roundup, scheduled to begin in December and continue through the dead of winter, is inhumane and must be stopped!...It's time for all of us to speak up for our Wild Horses and Burros so we do not lose these living legends and inspiring symbols of our freedom in America." 

Equine Welfare Alliance agrees, "The assault on America's wild horses and burros must be halted until range studies can be performed and a solid plan is established for the management of these magnificent animals that represent our American heritage."

Significantly, the Justice Department announced just before Thanksgiving ...