Jim's Eclectic World: Press Release: Buffalo Allies of Bozeman Is Founded to Take Action against the Slaughter and Hazing of Wild Buffalo

About Me

Location: Bozeman, MT, United States

Hi, my name is Jim Macdonald, and I have an odd assortment of interests. In no particular order, I love Yellowstone, I am an anti-authoritarian activist and organizer, and I have a background in philosophy, having taught at the college level. My blog has a lot more links to my writing and my other Web sites. In Jim's Eclectic World, I try to give a holistic view of my many interests. Often, all three passions show themselves interweaving in the very same blog. Anyhow, I think it's a little different. But, that's me. I'm not so much out there, but taken together, I'm a little unusual.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Press Release: Buffalo Allies of Bozeman Is Founded to Take Action against the Slaughter and Hazing of Wild Buffalo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Chris Klatt
406-599-3629
lodgepole@riseup.net
May 12, 2008

Buffalo Allies of Bozeman Is Founded to Take Action against the Slaughter and Hazing of Wild Buffalo
New group takes a grassroots approach toward advocacy of buffalo in the Yellowstone area.

(Bozeman, Mont.) – In a winter where more wild buffalo have been killed than at any time since the 19th century in and near Yellowstone National Park, concerned local residents in the Bozeman area have formed Buffalo Allies of Bozeman – a new grassroots group taking action on behalf of the American bison.

“We believed we needed to build a community of action so that the slaughter we have seen this year, where over 1,600 animals have been killed, never happens again,” said Mel Schroeder, one of the members of Buffalo Allies of Bozeman.

The theme of community is at the heart of the new group, which is open to everyone in the Bozeman area who accepts the group’s mission. Buffalo Allies of Bozeman calls for stopping the slaughter and hazing of Yellowstone’s wild buffalo herds, promoting the expansion of free-roaming buffalo outside of Yellowstone National Park, conserving the natural habitat of the buffalo herds, allying with and giving solidarity to groups working on related missions and supporting a diversity of strategies and tactics to achieve the mission. All those participating at meetings make decisions together on events and actions.

“What makes us a little different than some of the larger environmental groups is that we depend entirely on the energy of the public for making decisions,” said Schroeder. “There is no Executive Director or President; we all roam on this path together.”

Buffalo Allies of Bozeman held an educational event in March, featuring Mike Mease of Buffalo Field Campaign. On May 25 at 7 PM, the group will be hosting a potluck in Bogart Park that is open to the public. In June, the group will host a forum on the various ways Bozeman residents can take an active role in buffalo advocacy.

The group will also be working with the Gallatin Wildlife Association on changing Montana law so that buffalo are respected as wildlife and not treated as a disease control issue. Furthermore, Buffalo Allies of Bozeman will be speaking out against the recent deal made between state of Montana, the National Park Service and the Church Universal & Triumphant. According to Schroeder, “This is a bad deal that, contrary to what some have said in the media, is not a step forward for a single buffalo. The more I learn about it, the more I realize that this does not actually provide habitat, safety or respect for any buffalo – and at an exorbitant cost to taxpayers.”

Buffalo Allies of Bozeman meets every Wednesday at 7 PM at Montana State University’s Strand Union Building. For more information, please visit: http://www.buffaloallies.org.

4 Comments:

Anonymous said...: “There is no Executive Director or President."

And "there is no" good grammar neither.

Perhaps one should learn to use the language properly before attempting to utilize it to promote change in the society in which that language is spoken.

Just a thought.; 5/15/08, 3:57 AM
Jim Macdonald said...: First of all, "or" here makes what follows it singular as in "It's either this or that." So, "is" serves as the proper form of the verb "to be."

Secondly, your understanding of the use of language is narrow and superficial. Tell me that you or anyone else has any trouble understanding what the quote in the press release actually says. So, your point about the use of language here is without merit.

Thirdly, don't use the word "thought" so lightly. Where you wrongly criticize a non-point about the use of language *misusing various rules of grammar by the way - no matter, I still understood you*, you use the word "thought" rather lightly. I'm not sure what about it constitutes a cogent thought.

Fourthly, as to what's not here from you, I'd suggest you read my piece within my blog on why KKK speech is not free speech. For several reasons, I'd say the "shit" you've been posting here rises to that level.; 5/15/08, 7:10 AM
Anonymous said...: Jim,

I stumbled across your blog this winter, while I was doing some research on the slaughter of buffalo going on in Yellowstone. I've been reading it for a little while now because you are one of the better sources of information on what's happening there, and your passion for the buffalo is inspiring. But I'm wondering why you keep indulging this idiot, and that other one, Mike McCord, by responding to them? They don't contribute anything except nonsense, and they're clearly just wasting your time. Why bother with them?

Anyway, you are doing a wonderful job. Please keep it up.

-Angie in IL; 5/15/08, 8:10 PM
Tom Rice said...: Jim,

I completely agree with Angie above. Just continue with your efforts for the buffalo. You can make a difference.; 5/16/08, 7:41 AM