High noon for rodeo ‘crazies’ as the Lawman rides into town
He labelled animal rights activists ‘crazies’, warned veganism was becoming a cult, and promised to get pro-rodeo pamphlets into every school in New Zealand.
Former MP Michael Laws pledged he would be the white knight who could save the rodeo from extinction for a fee of $25,000.
Laws’ candid remarks were made during a presentation at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rodeo Cowboy Association in Auckland last year.
The minutes show Laws offering a bleak assessment of rodeo’s future, but a glimmer of hope.
‘‘Anti-rodeo people are crazies and do not put up rational debates,’’ Laws told the meeting.
‘‘There is nothing we can do to counter their craziness, we just need to be better than them at getting our message out there.’’
If the association ‘‘ignored the threat that is looming for our sport, then in five years it will no longer exist’’.
‘‘One of the issues that face us is the personalisation of animals and giving them human-like characteristics.
‘‘Veganism has formed cult-like movements that do not want animals to be used for anything.’’
Laws told the meeting he would run the campaign for $25,000, with a ‘‘multi-pronged’’ approach to convince politicians current legislation is working and is right, convince sponsors that the anti-rodeo propaganda is wrong, and distribute age-appropriate pamphlets and video to all schools in the country as teaching resources.
In an interview this week, Laws defended his comments.
He said he was in no way embarrassed about his statements.
‘‘Crazies, yeah, so what? I feel upset on behalf of rodeo enthusiasts in this country as they have been unjustifiably maligned and regularly abused,’’ he said.
‘‘I called them crazy because it’s based on excessive emotionalism and a complete disregard for scientific inquiry.’’
He said the pamphlets would be distributed in time for next summer’s rodeo season. In addition, he wants to see rodeo introduced as an option at schools.
‘‘We have got some very good young school boys and school girls who compete in rodeo and it’s about illustrating exactly what these kids do, the way they train, and the way animals are treated.
‘‘Through publications and video, the next campaign over winter will be to interview young people involved in the sport and the aim is to inform and educate.’’
Whetu Cormick, president of the NZ Principals’ Federation, said it would be up to schools to decide whether they took up the offer.
‘‘Schools are approached by a whole range of organisations wanting to offer their services and activities. Individual schools make the decision themselves.’’
A vociferous anti-rodeo campaigner, Direct Animal Action spokesman Apollo Taito, laughed off the ‘‘crazies’’ label.
‘‘Last time I had a look in the mirror I wasn’t crazy,’’ he said. ‘‘Unlike Michael Laws I do not get paid but I think this is pretty important.’’
Rodeo association national president Lyal Cocks stood by the decision to engage Laws.
‘‘We engaged Michael to deal with media and politicians and he has been very useful. He has got the contacts and knowledge and access to media and politicians.’’
Cocks said the $25,000 investment was worthwhile, but not sustainable.
‘‘Rodeo has been tarnished by the misinformation and the tactics of the anti-rodeo groups and that’s been pushed by the media. Now we are actively promoting the sport of rodeo.’’