R-CALF extends olive branch

[Dakota]

Why would we, who helped in the start of the original R-Calf, want to see the demise of R-Calf? That is like saying you don't want your kid to be better than he is. Does that mean you don't love your kid, or does that mean that maybe there is a way to make him better?? We at USCA have taken our core values, that started R-Calf, and simply applied them in Washington DC, through an amazing young man that has more credibility in his little finger than any other organization. In the last year we have seen COOL come to law, I can assure you that there are two people who can take 100% credit for this. My good friends, Danni Beer and Leo McDonnell. You can't sue for enforcement of COOL, you cannot sue for check off dollars being used to promote USA beef, you cannot sue people for no reason, wasting thier money and yours, as Mr. Bullard is finding out. R-Calf has went after these directors for no real reason that has ever been explained by their leadership. I have members of R-Calf in my immediate family, and they have never had it explained to them why these fine ranchers are being sued with their money. Put your egos aside and let the anti neighborly rhetoric go. All the press release really says, if you read it, is "R-Calf is sorry for the lawsuits and wishes they could stop them but they don't want to and wont. Have a good day, anyways" All this is is a preemptive strike to make it look like they don't want to force legal action on Leo but are. Why? I haven't been able to get an honest answer, have you? Hot heads never prevail, take a deep breath, sit back and realize that there is but 1 cattle producer organization getting the deals done for US Ranchers. We are the only organization MOVING COWS AND MOVING CONGRESS, while the rest of the groups are just moving.

[Oldtimer]

Well Dakota (another anonymous person whos afraid to put their name behind their stand )- as I have told your USCA Board in e-mails, as long as you have a director and his wife that keep smashing and bashing R-CALF in every newspaper that will print their letters- USCA will not get a dollar from me...

I like what both outfits stand for - as they pretty much agree on the issues, just disagree with how to go about the issues... I agree with the idea we need to use Legislation to make "change"-- but also think that at sometimes we have to go further and make a stand which requires the courts....I thought both outfits could be complimentary of each other and actually thought of sending dues and donations to both- especially after MCA affiliated with USCA....But I can't do it as long as one of your kids keeps calling everyone names in the newspapers...

But going around bashing each other and trying to destroy each other is not the way to do it...And lately it appears as its all the pouting "former" R-CALfers doing the bashing...Get over it- move past it...Let the R-CALF of today operate - and go on with the new organization...Let the courts handle the disagreement, like it sounds like they're doing....

Or is USCA in that bad of shape

[Dakota]

I beg to differ, sir, I have never been afraid of telling my name to anyone as I am quite proud of it. Seeing as how I follow 22 others by the same name and I like making my family proud, I will tell you that my name is Johnny Kerstiens. Please never jump to the conclusion that I or anyone else I am directly involved with are afraid of who we are or what we stand for.
Differences of opinion are what makes this country great. I am entitled to mine, as you are yours. As for are our board of directors, they sit on the board for the US Cattlemen's Association, and are we proud of each and everyone of them? Damn Skippy we are. Are they not entitled to their opinion? Does the opinion of one sole person on said board represent the entire Association? Not at all. This is just one of the basic things that, we feel, makes us great. The ability to differ and yet come to a conformed opinion. As a matter of fact, if people in my state decided not to donate a calf because they didn't like one person in your entire organization, you wouldn't be anywhere near where you were pre 2007. Or for that matter, today.
This is the great thing of democracy and being an American. Just don't condemn the whole team because you don't like one player. Dare I say you can even have a friend that is involved with NCBA..... Scary, I know, but it does happen.

[Oldtimer]

Johnny- I agree with you that everyone has a right to his opinion- and the right to express their opinion- and as folks on here can tell you, I usually have one- and sometimes it ain't the popular one... That is what makes this country great...

But for a Director of an organization- to go hanging all your dirty laundry out in public in newspaper op eds and editorials is doing much more harm to both organizations than good in my opinion...I've had people that belong to neither- and not aware of whats going on, seeing those letters just shake their heads and say why would you want to belong to either....That doesn't help eithers membership or support...You think our Congressman don't read these op-eds and letters? I wonder what the stature and standing of both groups has done in their eyes

Sounds like a Playground p*ssing match of two kids arguing over "my dogs uglier than your dog"...
And I've expressed the same to Bullard and crew...
Let the courts settle the property and property rights/copyrights issues...

The R-CALF of old isn't coming back... I don't care who was right or wrong- get over it.....Move forward...All this Swiftboating and op-ed letterwriting is not going to bring it back and is only damaging both groups..

[Dakota]

Let's be clear on this for all the other readers, so there is no misunderstanding. The Director of USCA in question has NOT published an op-ed or issued ANY press release under the USCA trademark, logo, or name that has in anyway "bashed" R-Calf. Our policy is to take the high road and as an organization we remain adamant about that policy. I am a member of the United States Cattlemen's Association, that in no way means that what I am stating here is a direct statement from the USCA in any way. These are my opinions, as the op-eds are that person's, not a direct reflection of our respective organizations.

The truth does need to be told. How that truth is told is up to that person who is stating the facts.

I can tell you to rest assured I am completely over the split. You are right, the old R-Calf is not coming back. I am more than content with that because the PRIDE I have in our NEW organization is more than enough for me, our members, our Government Consultant, and our board of directors. We are more than happy with the direction we are going, and going at quite, quite well.
I do not work for the Congressmen/women from our great states, I do not know what they do and don't read. I can tell you though that when it comes down to getting the chance to sit down and talk beef check off reform, working with Congressional leaders to get the 2008 FMD Free bill passed, working with the National Carbon Offset Coalition or American Task Force Argentina, there is one group who does have the credibility to assure that OUR voice is heard. I do know that keeping Jess Peterson in Washington, DC should be a number one concern for ALL American Ranchers, assuring that OUR voice is heard and we have our say in the bill making process!

[Cattleprod24]

The ONLY thing R-CALF is getting bashed on is the fact they are deceiving their membership and using their money inappropriately. If I were told my $100 contribution was going toward fighting the OTM rule, when instead it was being used in a lawsuit I was never told about and did not approve, I would be very upset and extremely cautious the next time I was asked for money.

Using membership money the way they have is a moral issue that I personally find offensive and wrong. If R-CALF leadership had asked for direction from their membership on this issue there would be no "bashing". The truth needs to be told about their finances and moral turpitude.

I don't want R-CALF to fail - we need all the help we can get. But when you have two gentlemen taking advantage of a membership-driven organization to satisfy their own personal vendettas, then the public needs to be made aware.

Whatever has been published negative to R-CALF this past year by former R-CALF members has ONLY been because of this irrational and irresponsible lawsuit. Many of us got our neighbors and friends to join R-CALF and they need to know the truth of where some of their money is going. It's as plain and simple as that.

Any member who is OK with this expenditure should definitely remain a member of R-CALF. Those of us who believe R-CALF leadership has acted irresponsibly with our money have chosen to move onto another organization.

It's really very simple - no need to make it any more complicated. The facts need to be told - you can believe them or put your head in the sand, I really don't care.

By the way, it isn't considered "bashing" when it's the truth!

Finally, one point that hasn't been made that is very important: The folks who left R-CALF a year ago to start USCA were determined to continue with the work for cattle producers that they started at R-CALF. They had put R-CALF behind them and had (and have) moved forward. R-CALF was never given a second thought. Then came the lawsuits INITIATED by R-CALF against the President of USCA and two of its directors and also involved some of its members through depositions, etc. Please keep in mind R-CALF (Bullard and Thornsberry) were the ones to start this mess. If they had not filed these lawsuits, none of the "bashing" you are referring to would have occurred.

I believe if the tables were turned you would certainly want to defend yourself against untrue and unsubstantiated accusations and to let your friends and neighbors know what is happening behind closed doors with an organization you encouraged them to join.

[Oldtimer]

If neither of you are members- or donating any cash to them anymore- I can't see where this anti-R-CALF campaign is either of yours business Maybe I'm missing something..

I am grateful for your concern for your fellow producers- but aren't they all big grown up folks that should be able to decide for themselves what they want to do...Cattleprod- as far as notifying your friends and neighbors that you talked into joining- how do they know what your telling them is true...You don't even say who you are
We're just supposed to buy the info of someone that comes on here calling themselves Cattleprod and says they are doing a good deed

If the law suits were unnecessary and frivolus that will be sorted out in the courts- and should be--- not in the newspapers or on an anonymous Dittmer type website or postings...

This sounds like sour grapes and some pouty kids- and its hurting USCA as much as it is R-CALF.....

But I would like to have both of you stick around on the site more often - and keep us informed on the good things USCA is doing, because sometimes it takes me a while to hear about them... While there are several R-CALF members I know locally- I don't know any USCA ones...

[HAY MAKER]

[Dakota]

I woud ask you to clarify something for me. Who is Dittmer? With out knowing who this guy is or what he stands for I cannot take your statement as a compliment or an insult. So if you would clarify that for me I could get on with being upset or thankful.

Secondly, the point I believe Cattleprod is trying to make is that of common sense. We already know that the lawsuits are unwarranted and there is no point in dragging them out in court because we all know this already. Really what is SO bad about Mr. Kiker, Wooster, and McDonald that would merit lawsuits against American Ranchers. If you remember, we all got in on this thing to stop CANADIAN ranchers from dumping BSE infected beef on us and hurting our livihood. What good can come of this? Does this not lead to USCA "bashing" by yourside? I mean if we are saying that only one side is guilty or not of "bashing" the other side we aren't paying attention. Don't you think we would all be better off without it and wouldn't be here right now deciding who is bashing who if the lawsuits never happened?

I, personally, am not a dues paying member of R-CALF USA anymore. My hangup on where the money for the OTM rule and lawsuits against ranchers does not lie with my personal check book. It does lie with my family and friends who are still dues paying members and where their money is going. I know they do not wish to be spending money suing people who are in the same business as the rest of us. When we start talking about my family and friends being involved we do start talking about my personal concern, and you would say the same I'm sure, as you seem to be a person of respect and stature, as well. I think we live in a pretty darn good place anyways, let's just put a little more truth back in everything from top to bottom and let America get back to where She wants to be and used to be.
I have no problems with anyone in this great land being a member of USCA and R-CALF at the same time, USCA has no policy against it. All I have concern for is the protection of the bests of interests for my family, my friends. I really didn't give a damn when, in the start, people were members of R-Calf and NCBA, be a member of PETA too if you wish. It is your arena, work it how you want.
One thing is for sure though, you gotta love the competition.

[Dakota]

Thank you for the welcome. If either of you has questions on any progress we are making with USCA, please do not hesitate to ask. Obviously we like to talk! Me especially! Lookin' forward to the good conversations in the future with you two.

[Oldtimer]

Steve Dittmer a Packer/AMI/NCBA Lobbyist , who operates under the guise of the Agribusiness Freedom Foundation bashing R-CALF, M-COOL, and Packer Ownership Bans and anything else the packer crew asks him to... He's probably bashed USCA too, in his supposed informational releases - since they've supported some of the same things...

http://www.cattlenetwork.com/content.asp?ContentId=144485

The one man foundation- that refuses to say who the foundation is or who pays their trick money to him- operating like a whore in back rooms and in dark alleys....I think the only one we've seen that could be associated with his "foundation is when he hired Jan Lyons, former NCBA President....

http://www.agribusinessfreedom.com/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=50

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Agribusiness_Freedom_Foundation

[hypocritexposer]