RSPCA launches the Political Animal

RE: RSPCA launches the Political Animal

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:45:03 GMT

Dear JGW,

You are a mine of information aren't you?

I did look them up, didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, and as they are listed as individual branches in the main, it makes it very difficult to pinpoint the top of the tree.

But thankyou again for your sage knowledge of T'Internet. I'm impressed.

Vikki

RE: RSPCA launches the Political Animal

J G Wray — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:32:11 GMT

Dear Mrs Halliday,

If you are concerned about the RSPCA then look up its charitable aims on the registration website - Charity Commissioners - and you will see if it meets those criteria. You can do this with any charity.

I'm impressed that RSPCA once again can claim the moral high ground on anmimal welfare. Whither BVA/RCVS etc.?

JGW

RE: RSPCA launches the Political Animal

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:37:48 GMT

I have sent this via the political animal website contact:

I am pleased that the RSPCA is offering the public the chance to debate issues relating to animal welfare pertinent to the next general election.

I would however like to ask two questions.

1.From where has the funding for the development of this forum and website been made available?

I am concerned that donations to the charity are being used for political purposes, where the donor may have been under the impression that money given for animal welfare would be used directly to fund the work of the charity in a more practical sense, and not to become involved in political debate.

2. If the forum rules state that posts may be deleted of they contain:

" comments which support or criticise the policies of political parties or individual candidates

• any overtly party political comments "

how can the RSPCA justify having such an open debate under the banner of the forthcoming election if criticism of current or proposed government policies are to all intents prohibited?

I look forward to your response."

RE: RSPCA launches the Political Animal

Vikki Halliday LLB — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:29:15 GMT

I have visited this site, and the forums, and it appears relatively quiet at present but I suspect that will change shortly.......

I was interested that the moderation rules state:

We reserve the right to delete any of the following:

• violent, obscene, profane, hateful, or racist posts, links or images

• comments that threaten or defame any person or organisation

• solicitations, advertisements, or endorsements of any financial, commercial or not-for-profit organisations.

• comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity

• multiple successive off-topic posts by a single user

• repetitive posts copied and pasted or duplicated by single or multiple users

• comments which support or criticise the policies of political parties or individual candidates

• any overtly party political comments

I am therefore very interested how in the light of the last two policies, how elightened debate can proceed, as any criticism of existing government policy may well fall within these realms.

I shall watch with interest!