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Subjects to Avoid at Holiday Parties
by Susan Allen, click here for bio

Program: Open Range
Date: November 26, 09

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Most of us were taught never to bring up politics or religion at a cocktail party well if you’re hob knobbing out west you’d be wise to add wolves to the list. Politics, religion and wolf recovery, topics I’ll steer clear of this holiday season. You see there is little common ground between those that support wolf recovery and those that disdain it. The recent announcement that federal trappers eliminated the remaining members of a wolf pack blamed for livestock attacks in Montana and Idaho caused more tweaks and twitters than a flock of starlings. Personally I find it odd someone calls themselves an animal lover, adores wolves, and yet has no feeling when a baby lamb is ravaged by a pack. It’s virtually impossible to appease both sides. But the Fish and Wildlife department where I live, in Washington State is trying and wants to ease tension by offering what stands to be the most generous compensation for livestock losses in the nation, paying the producer receive full value for animals killed by wolves on grazing sites of least 100 acres and half the value on smaller sites. The new proposal defines livestock as cattle, pigs, horses, mules, sheep, llamas, goats, guarding and herding dogs. Nice try, but no amount of money will replace my border collie and you’ll get nothing for your hunting dog or kids pony. Back to the drawing board. Take my recommendation, refrain from discussing politics, religion of wolf recovery at the holiday party; touchy subjects we can’t even agree to disagree on. I’m Susan Allen