Thanks Lilith, I also remember the travesty that happened in Ohio.
A major problem I think was confusion among voters. The pro-animal side was VASTLY outspent by the NRA, etc. Ohioans faced a barrage of ads from the dove hunters but virtually none from humane groups. The ads never mentioned doves and were among the most aggressively misleading political ads. According to these TV and radio spots, if Ohio approved the dove hunting ban, meat would be outlawed, family farms would be forced to close, and babies would die of terrible diseases because medical research would be crippled. Other ads meanwhile showed the kind of people who supported the proposition: scary masked terrorists screaming and smashing windows. To his eternal discredit, Jack Hanna appeared in a pro-dove hunting ad.
Humane ads were woefully underfunded and were few and far between. There seemed to be 10 anti-animal ads for every 1 humane ad. I certainly hope Michigan does not repeat Ohio's history. I also hope the humane effort is well-funded enough that they do not let the opposition run rampant with their misinformation.
A major problem I think was confusion among voters. The pro-animal side was VASTLY outspent by the NRA, etc. Ohioans faced a barrage of ads from the dove hunters but virtually none from humane groups. The ads never mentioned doves and were among the most aggressively misleading political ads. According to these TV and radio spots, if Ohio approved the dove hunting ban, meat would be outlawed, family farms would be forced to close, and babies would die of terrible diseases because medical research would be crippled. Other ads meanwhile showed the kind of people who supported the proposition: scary masked terrorists screaming and smashing windows. To his eternal discredit, Jack Hanna appeared in a pro-dove hunting ad.
Humane ads were woefully underfunded and were few and far between. There seemed to be 10 anti-animal ads for every 1 humane ad. I certainly hope Michigan does not repeat Ohio's history. I also hope the humane effort is well-funded enough that they do not let the opposition run rampant with their misinformation.
