Roy Brown’s campaign sent us this letter regarding recent allegations that he is a vegetarian:
“As many of you have most likely heard, the governor and his political thugs have attempted to mislead those in the livestock community to believe that I do not support ranchers with my political policy or with my diet. Both allegations are completely false. I am disgusted that anyone would attempt to manipulate any sector of our community with such lies. I am not, nor have I ever been a vegetarian, and I believe allegations that one’s personal eating habits would have a direct effect on their political policy to be ridiculous and the signature of a desperate and petty campaign. It is an obvious attempt to turn your attention from his own failed leadership on issues that have impacted agriculture in Montana.
I find it despicable that my opponent would attempt to turn attention to such a ludicrous allegation in an effort to duck responsibility for failing to protect Montana’s ranchers from brucellosis and out of embarrassment of his own efforts to hand over control of Montana’s waters to the federal government.
You’ll recall that when news of the last positive test for brucellosis came out, the Governor pointed fingers, and attacked the Montana Stockgrowers Association as the ones to blame. Even today, Governor Schweitzer refuses to consider any idea or solution to the brucellosis problem other than his own. Montana ranchers have paid for his ignorance. Instead of working towards eradication of the disease and protecting your best interest, he has unrelentingly pushed through a plan that will segregate and sacrifice portions of our ranching community. As Montana’s next Governor you can rest assured that I will focused renewed efforts on eradication of the disease and proper management of bison and elk until our brucellosis-free status is restored.
I was equally disgusted with the Governor’s support of the Clean Water Restoration Act, voluntarily cowering to the federal government and surrendering all control of our water rights. Despite his unwillingness to admit the true intention of this legislation, Schweitzer testified for Congress in support of the law that would strip us of every water way from lakes and rivers to creeks, irrigation ditches and stock ponds. He has put our ability to manage our own waters on the chopping block in what can only be seen as an attempt to further his time in the national spotlight. I believe that Montanans who have been stewards of our land and water for generations, are best equipped to continue to manage our waters, not federal bureaucrats.
While it has become obvious that my opponent does not hold himself or his political allies to the same standards of accuracy and integrity that I hold myself and my campaign to, I urge all of you to take a scrutinizing look at the information you will be bombarded with. My commitment to the agriculture industry and all Montanans has never wavered. It is important that we do not allow the governor to brush his failed leadership on brucellosis and our water rights under the rug. His ignorance of these issues corresponds to his ignorance of our needs and expectations. His continued failure must end in November. Together we will end this crude, deceitful, manipulative methodology that is steering Montana in the wrong direction.”
