Goats!
Posted at 5:14 AM on January 22, 2009
by Dale Connelly
(32 Comments)
Yesterday we got some great ideas for public service from listeners who host foreign exchange students, volunteer at schools, work in animal shelters ... and we even heard from the new mayor of Albert Lea. Congratulations, Mike!
Speaking of politics, the most thought provoking post of the day came from Barb in Blackhoof. If you didn't get a chance to read it, take a look:
As usual, I'll draw this down to goats. My little herd is a microcosm of our country and our world. The whole herd, boys and girls, are together in one big pen now, since breeding season is past. And they'll be together until kidding begins in about two months. It took me 45 minutes to feed five goats this morning because there are greedy goats who want to hog everything. It's not "survival of the fittest" out there; it's "survival of the greediest" which does not select for good, kind, gentle goats. My good, kind, gentle goats have to defer to the greedy, forceful goats. If the greedy goats get run of the pen, they will get fat, will become infertile and die of bloat, and the kind, gentle goats will starve. No more goats. So I, as president of this goat herd, have to take the greedy in hand and try to guide them into sharing. For a week or so, feeding time will be pretty rough. There will be strife and butting. But, with just a set of guidelines and following these gently but firmly, the greedy start to behave. And pretty soon everyone is doing better, eating quietly and waiting patiently until everyone has had their ration. The herd will prosper, the president will have no more bruises, and it will be summer. President Obama is right to encourage volunteering, but the greedy goats, who probably are not sharing much, need to be taken in hand - firmly - for the good of us all.
I thought this was such an interesting and useful observation, I forwarded it, with the word GOATS in the subject line, to Congressman Loomis Beechly of Minnesota's 9th district (representing all the water surface area in the state). Here's his surprisingly quick reply:
Dear Constituent,Thank you for contacting my office with your concerns and ideas.
As you know, this is an exciting time in Washington DC. We're taking a fresh look at everything, and doing what we can to convince people that their voices are being heard. This e-mail is an important part of that effort, so I hope you'll treasure it, just as I treasure having had the chance to send it to you.
As I looked out on the mall on Inauguration Day, I felt humbled by the response of ordinary Americans like you who went to so much trouble to be present at this historic event, and in some cases to stand a half-mile away to see a very tiny dot on the horizon become the 44th President of the United States. But at the same time, I understood, as only a long-time public servant can, that many of those people made the trip, not because of celebrity or history or charisma, but because they would like to see some positive action on GOATS.
You are right to be concerned about GOATS. Rest assured that all policies related to GOATS are under review, and that your input is valuable and has been shared with all the people on my staff who are following the GOATS action in congress.
This issue is too important and too complicated for me to respond point-by-point to your comments regarding GOATS, but I know in the future I will benefit from your knowledge and passion whenever I am thinking about GOATS.
Please feel free to contact my office in the future whenever you feel so moved. It is my hope that by election day, 2010, you and I will be able to stand together, confident that all Americans are feeling better about GOATS because you cared enough to get involved.
Sincerely yours,
Loomis Beechly,
Congressman, 9th district.
I think we finally have Congressman Beechly's attention on this issue.
Getting Barb's goat-o-nomics into the national policy discussion is a worthy goal.
Now the challenge is to keep up the pressure!
Comments (32)
Thank you Barb and Congressman Beechly! I borrow a couple goats from a friend just for the warm weather months, but having had a herd of goats in my past, I truly appreciate all the help GOATS can get from our government.
I would like to add that such social problems that occur in Barb's GOAT herd, also occur in my HORSE, CHICKEN and CAT herds. I would like to suggest they be added to any legislation that Congressman Beechly proposes.
Thank you for all you have done and will do now and in the future.
Oh my, a nice challenge for us all. Fortunately, RH listeners, when working together, can rise to meet this challenge, overcoming any adversity along the way.
And, our new Chief of State wants our participation in the process and invites us to reach out to him.
To this end, I'm trying to figure out how to condense this issue into 500 characters or less that I can post on the Administration's newest website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/. Come on, RH listeners, we can do this.
In the meantime, I'm trying to find how to text Mr. Obama on the Blackberry he's decided to carry.
Thoughts, anyone?
Thanks so much for sharing with all of us the Congressman's thoughtful remarks. Nice to know we (or at least GOATS) are at the forfront of his concern.
As we consider the lessons of our 4-footed friends (or in our case, employer), I wanted MPR to know how much our cat appreciates the programming. Especially the decision that caused we, the staff to go out and get her a musical cat warmer. It was sold as an HD radio, but she knows better.
As the staff, I am wondering if the switch to HDTV is part of a similar quadruped agenda.
oh, i just loved Congressman Beechly's reply - does he know GOATS or what?
- really nailed it, Dale. thanks so much!
I feel it is important for Congressman Beechly to be aware of all DOMESTICATED AMERICANS and not focus solely on GOATS. DOGS, HORSES, CHICKENS, GEESE, DUCKS, CATS and many other DOMESTICATED AMERICANS deserve recognition for their contribution to the greatness of the United States. (OK. Not CATS. They're here looking for people to fill staff positions before they conquer the world.) To this end, the COMMITTEE OF DOMESTICATED AMERICANS or CODA will repeat the message of equality for DOMESTICATED AMERICANS (including HUSBANDS).
Dale, thanks for playing Bobby McFerrin. I'm going to see him at Orchestra Hall next week and I can't wait! I saw him a few years ago and it was one of the best and most interactive concerts I've been to. He's incredibly talented and sometimes directs the audience as a choir. He also came into the audience and sang with people, including me! Very cool. Thanks for reminding me of that this morning!
Where did you find a domesticated HUSBAND?? I've had mine for 25 years, and I think (just think) we have maybe reached the tame stage! However, he is more domesticated than the two birds we have - they will always be curious, mischievous two-year-olds. And at least the husband doesn't fly around the room when KARE-11 plays their commercial with the goose flying next to the boat. That is a dangerous time in our household.
I think the goat-a-nomics lesson was grand! I think maybe we need more explanations like this to help us all understand what is going on in this marvelous country of ours. We certainly do not want goats with bloat, and we want all goats to be healthy and happy, so we have healthy and happy kids. Taking the greedy goats in hand (education) will certainly help the future of the herd.
Barb, you are a great president of your herd. But remember that the members of your herd hold you accountable, because unless you plan to be a benevolent dictator, it is a government of the goats, for the goats and by the goats. I imagine a few well placed head butts will reinforce this at times!
Congressman Beechly's response certainly gives me the confidence that the goat will be well represented, so we need not fear that their agenda will be well addressed. I hope we get more missives addressing the needs of goats as the agenda moves forward!
Enjoy this last "mild" day before we plummet again. Back to the hat, double mittens, scarf and parka!
Good Morning Heartlanders!
I have to agree with Pat that these issues affect all DOMESTICATED AMERICANS though Barb has captured the scenario perfectly with her GOATS story. I used to be very involved in dog training and showing and it applies there as well however I'm not sure that SPOUSES can or even should be domesticated. A bit of wildness can be the spark that keeps the relationship fresh and exciting!
I would like to suggest Radio Heartland form a lobbying/political action task force "Domesticated Americans Action Group" (DAAG) to influence Congressman Beechly.
I tried to think of a GOAT version for the group's name, but someone who has a more nimble brain than I perhaps can do that.
Good Morning Heartlanders:
Thanks for the good humor and insight into Goat behavior and how similar it is to human behavior! We have no animals (domesticated or otherwise) in our house -- only 2 boys home and an untrainable husband. But I love them all dearly.
Amazing how the animal kingdom reflects us in many ways. Here's to a fresh start for all mammals in Washington, DC!
Joanne J
The Magic Mirror comment brought back very old memories, but that wasn't Captain Kangaroo, it was Romper Room. I can still remember sitting in front of our tiny black-and-white television hoping that Miss (Whatever her name was --I believe there were several) would say hello to me. But at that time I was known as Kitty, and that name just never showed up in her list. A tiny disappointment, but still lurking somewhere in my brain.
Hi Dale & Mike,
Thank you for playing Dan Wilson's Free Life after Erik Brandt's It's Your Time, they fit together perfectly. But you already know that. May I add one more suggestion to that theme? Richard Thompson has a beatiful song on Sweet Warrior called Take Care the Road You Choose. I would Love to hear you play it.
Thanks again for the great job you do!
Kathy - I was blessed with the name Sieglinde, and have a sister named Gudrun. There was NEVER any hope that our names would ever be called during romper room! So, Kitty, you're not alone!
Goats. I just can't go there. No, I'm more of a cattle guy.
Barb did bring the message down to its essence though.
The same greed works in the horses I work for. The redhead----flashy, young is pure hedge fund manager: he wants everything, gets everything, wants more. The senior citizen horse, who has worked a hard, lunch-bucket life---rightfully earning his retirement benefits, is constantly being badgered and giving up more to the greed-master. Senior feed---young guy wants it. New coat for the old guy---redhead wants it---will have it. The other two working stiffs, the big Percherons, shake their heads, keep working with one eye town Mr. Greed, knowing that they will also be giving some of their "pay" to the insatiable one. All any of us humans can do is tighten the ropes on the redhead and help out the others as best we can.
GOATS...I'm suspicious (comes with living in the Sixth Congressional District).
We hope that Obama will be a little more effective at dealing with the greedy goat situation than Congressman Beechly who probably will not live up to his promises. The wild animals are also involved because there have been and still are some snakes and other dangerous wild animals that have been and are out of control.
Dale, you read my mind. I was busy listening to Erik Brandt's excellent song, thinking, "this reminds me of 'Free Life'". And what plays next? Jinx!
I only have one comment to say to this goat herd. The big difference between Barb's herd and our own is WE'RE ALL GOATS. Her goats have the benefit of human guidance. I wonder if they know how good they have it?
Perhaps President Obama can send out some Heartland Security Administration members to help with the GOAT issues..........
Barb a great observation of your goat herd. I also have a small herd of goats I tend daily and have had the same issue with greed and control. The difference with my herd is that I have two males who were so greedy and unwilling to share that I had to remove them from the others. Earlier this week (Tuesday) I put the two male goats in a separate pen. The other goats watched me remove both of them and to me, seemed relived to not have them in their main goat pen anymore. The two males are fed, watered and have their own little shed and small pasture. At feeding time the two seem a little miffed with no one but each other to push or shove for food. But all the other goats are much calmer and they now eat together and share without pushing and butting each other. The two male goats, while I am sorry they have to be in a separate pen, they have each other for company and now they can't push around the other goats. Since Tuesday and the removal of the two male goats from the main goat pen, all seems in harmony with my goat herd - the goats are more relaxed and confident as they look forward to spring and beyond!
GOAT
Grand Ol' American Trough
We need to all put our self-interest behind and start thinking about the common good of all the people.
Allan's two male goats remind me of two other "goats" that have recently been removed to a place where they will not cause as much trouble. There names are George and Dick.
I had no idea there were so many GOAT keepers in our Radio Heartland audience.
Thanks for all the insight.
Bruce may be right - we're all goats.
But I'm one of the gentle, nice, non-bossy ones.
Aren't you? Admit it. I command you!
I am disappointed to see that all Minnesotans are not solidly behind Congressman Loomis Beechly. He is out there, 2000 miles away from his comfortable home, representing us by consuming unimaginable quantities of free food and drink at numerous parties and galas. Then, in the midst of this demanding political season, he takes time to research and publish a response on goats. What are we if we do not understand this sacrifice?
I have forwarded Barb’s comment, along with the inspiring and personal response from Congressman Beechly, to my friend Mary in Wisconsin. She long ago left the goats in Edina, her former home. Mary now raises goats in Wisconsin where she may not have the good fortune to have a representative in Washington watching out for the best interests of her goats. Let’s remember how lucky we are as the new administration begins its work which I’m certain will include the goat agenda!
Of course, Loomis Beechly's response was in the form of an automatic reply letter that put whatever subject his constituent was writing about in each of the places designated. That was the joke. We all know he doesn't care about anything except getting re-elected. And I could still hear "the voice" in my head as I read it. THAT'S something we'll always have. How nice.
Great job, Dale!!
Hi Heartlanders... thanks for the good time today. It's 10:43 and I just read the latest posts and am laughing out loud. It never occurred to me that I would ever hear the words "the goat agenda" in my lifetime!
So I guess Congressman Loomis Beechly is our goat to guy in congress!
Easy there Dale or Barb will be grabbing your collar...
I've been meaning to say this for a few days--it's really GREAT to hear so much Bob Dylan, especially his older stuff. He's bee a keen observer of our culture for decades.Thanks!
And on a similar note--what is this fascination with Johnny Cash? I have heard more of his music since he passed away than I did in my whole life before that. . . Enough, okay???? I'm a bit worried that folks seem so reverent about him, I actually never thought of him as much of a role model, and I think his music is mostly mediocre. Okay, now everyone will want to shoot me!!
Goats! I was on a cattle drive last summer, and we saw all sorts of entertaining things along the way... including herds of pronghorns.. and lots of cows, a few rattlesnakes, a coyote, and of course horses. For whatever reason.... there were a number of GOATS wandering along with us!
I guess that they were there for the ambience....
I heard that horses tend to like to live with goats... that they are a calming influence... or am I being gullible????
I volunteer with a group that works with special needs folks, pairing them with horses... My task is getting the "fur-kids" ready for their classes and riders. Our "herd" is 8 strong... I wonder if I should suggest bringing in a goat???
Miss Francis was on Romper Room
oh, such fun reading all the comments today - thanks so much! Bob Q - most people would prefer almost ANY animal over goats. i asked a woman next to me at a goat conference why there weren't more goat farmers. She said "most people want to be smarter than their livestock."
loved the redhead hedge-fund manager and the two goats named George and Dick.
and yes, Allen, i'm getting the guys outta there as soon as i can get another little building for them. but actually, it's Dodger (as in Artful) - a doe - who is making the most trouble. but that spirit is what i love. if we could have that without the greediness :-)
now i promise to keep quiet for awhile
I'm pretty sure it's regulation, not education, that keeps the greedy goats in line. Greedy goats are probably short on ethics, especially the ones old enough to know better!
Greetings Heartlanders:
This whole GOAT (and other mammals) thing is just weird today. I was listening mid-morning and heard my favorite "Fluffy's Master Plan for World Domination" followed by some other animal-type song with livestock.
Then at work this afternoon, a customer came in to the grocery store looking for empty capsules so she could give herbs or medicine to ... you guessed it ... her GOATS.
Must be in the stars ...
I am also a goat farmer, and I am thrilled to see their focus on the blog. I think our goats miss the music in the barn, since we do not take the computer to the barn. When our son was quite young he observed the goats butting heads and said "they are having an election" since the winner is the boss until a younger one gains enough chutzpah for a challenge. I'm glad we humans won't have to butt heads for a long time !
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