Dog’s Best friend: Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson is looking to become dog’s best friend. The country music star has filmed a television spot supporting an anti-dogfighting bill that is moving through the Georgia Legislature. 
In the ad, Nelson looks into the camera while “Georgia on My Mind” plays in the background.
“Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak, the beautiful state of Georgia has become a haven for dogfighters from around the country,” he says.
The bill would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.
Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization, produced the piece and asked Nelson to participate.
State Sen. Chip Rogers, the bill’s author, hopes to get the spot on TV and radio around the time of the Dec. 10 sentencing for suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge.
The bill has passed the state Senate and will go before a House committee in January.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
I like dogs too, Willie. In fact, I own one. Or he owns me. However that works.
But, when I think about the global picture, I can’t help wondering just a little about the priorities. Do you suppose we might find some time to work on a law making it a felony to sell, trade or transport people for the purpose of killing other people?
We are all related, there is a proven link between animal cruelty and mental illness. GW use to put firecrackers in the mouths of frogs and watch them blow up.
he just got bigger and switched to people.
Well, it probably took Willie maybe an hour or two at most to record this spot. And on the left, that immediately gets him criticized as not being sufficiently committed to other causes. Jeez.
@ Arvy, COMarc - Jeez is right! We can work on more than one issue at a time. there’s so much to pick from, too!
The chimp is still putting firecrackers in frogs and blowing them up. Someone else is still buying his firecrackers for him. And someone else is still cleaning up the mess for him.
The bill would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.
How do you prove intent? For say, leading a dog into an unnecessary fight, or leading the nation into an unnecessary war? Is there a lawyer who’s willing to prosecute the case, for say, leading a dog into an unnecessary fight, or leading the nation into an unnecessary war?
Are we going to have that trial? Do we have witnesses? Do we have the media? Do we have a judiciary? Do we have a civilization?
How is it that most of the people who support the chimp also support Willie Nelson, when the two are at complete opposite ends of the political spectrum? Are these people taught to ignore actions and look instead at cultural identity?
That chimp and Nelson are both “one of us”, regardless of their action ethics, reveals that their supporters are not letting the wheels turn in their minds. Are we taught to let our minds idle? Who benefits from this?
medusa November 24th, 2007 2:57 pm — “We can work on more than one issue at a time.”
Ya coulda fooled me. It’s certainly not obvious based on all of the self-proclaimed impotence of the populace in the face of war crimes and “other causes” as COMarc calls them. I’ll be interested to hear what else Willie’s up to.
In any case, my original comment was merely a reflection of my own higher priorities. Willie is perfectly free, of course, to lobby for whatever governmental actions he considers most important.
“i’ll never smoke weed with willie again!!!”
he’s crazy when he gets stoned!
We can’t have just societies if animals are not treated justly as well as humans…everyone tackles the issues that matter to them…go Willie!
As Tolstoy said, we shall always have war as long as we have slaughterhouses.
“Higher priorities.” That’s a laugh. Humans willingly go off and kill each other while dogs are forced into it–by humans.
Screw the human supremacist, “humans first” bs.
By that type of narrow self righteous thinking we shouldnt care about spousal abuse in texas because the war in Iraq is more important.
Ditto for child abuse, health care, workers rights, better wages.
Who cares about any of that as long as we have war, right?
Its always people who engage in no charitable acts who complain about the priorities of those who do. Higher priorities. lol
As for the chimp comment–Bush is a human. Only humans behave that way.
kelmer November 24th, 2007 5:01 pm — “Screw the human supremacist, “humans first” bs. By that type of narrow self righteous thinking we shouldnt care about spousal abuse in texas …”
Yeah, sure. No one could possibly argue with that logic. I apologize for my ridiculous notion that the lives of thousands of human Iraqi kids might have a slightly higher priority than American dogs, lack of willing participation by either notwithstanding.
It is true domesticated dogs are trained to be fighters and killers and the people responsible use other animals as training bait. You have to be carefull if you are trying to have a pet adopted because they pose as people that like animals. It is a predatory blood sport for money. I don’t think it would be to difficult to see how these animals are used based on physical injuries of those that survive and other observable characteristics of the process.
Willie Nelson uses his celebrity to advance public perceptions on a lot of issues: Farm Aid, alternative fuel, lots of other things that never get the attention they deserve.
Arvy
I think a measure of character is how we treat anything that does not have a voice or decision in events. I don’t trust anyone that abuses animals or people. I worked with disabled people that had been housed in institutions for no other reasons than they were not like other people. (well I worked in the community placement project that got them out) These people had been abused by thier own families and then again by society. It gets down to what you include as society and where is it ok to abandon your ethics for whatever reason.
Yes, Willie immediately “gets him criticized as not being sufficiently committed to other causes.” The truth is, we live in very difficult times. The world has problems that would have been unimaginable in size and scope when I was a young man. We have worldwide murder being committed in our name. Perhaps future generations will even call it genocide at the hands of evil governments, like America and Israel. And Willie spends time trying to save the puppies?
I like Willie, and I like his music. But when forced to choose between human lives and puppies, I will always feel that humans are more important. That does not mean I condone the mistreatment of animals. But when influential people like Willie donate their time for good causes, I feel that they should pick the ones that are at the top of the priority list.
I am really interested in knowing more about GW and his frog thing- is this really true? People who view animals as something to abuse whether for sport or whatever other reason are also the most likely to abuse people the same way. He has quite a history of massive abuse- Texas executions must have been great fun for him. I remember before the 2000 election the French (can’t remember exactly which French) called him a serial killer and were horrified that he might become president. No one could have imagined then just where we would be today. It is almost too much to comprehend how we as a nation could have sunk to his depth and allowed this to happen.
Go Willie- there is a deep connection between how an individual or how a nation treats its animals and how they treat the humans and other nations they interact with.
Precisely. My comment was merely a prioritization concern, not an exclusionary either/or position. Having learned to respect the intelligence of CDers, I expected most would understand that without much elaboration, but your comment says it better than mine did.
noone is forcing anyone to choose between humans and canines…noone is claiming that passing legislation to protect dogs in georgia is the most important issue for the lawmakers of that state…there shouldn’t even need to be such legislation but people all over this country abuse dogs and why not have laws to protect them?
i introduced a bylaw in my town to abolish 24 hour chaining of dogs…many said that it was unenforceable–nuts to that! the bylaw did not pass and many dogs live outdoors chained to their meager houses everyday in all kinds of weather…there are tens of thousands of people murdered each by handguns (people shooting handguns…)…since the law is so difficult to enforce, why not do away with it?
i donate money to www.dogsdeservebetter.org and many other human related organizations…see, i can care about more than one issue at a time!!
i support willie and hope he helps get the legislation passed!! georgia on my mind indeed…..
“The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated.”
-M. K. Gandhi
On a lighter note, up here in the cold north country, we heard that Michael Vick had already been sentenced, apparently the judge was in a foul mood, gave him three years with the Vikings…
beckyb
There is a lot of information about G.W. and animal cruelty, most notably frogs at his childhood home in Texas. He could be the poster guy for the importance of humane education for young people. There is a book about the subject written by an M.D. called G.W. On the Couch. Any limited search should provide a good deal of information.
Kudos jade,
I think we have to make use of as many opportunities as we can to make the world a humane place to live.
I’m sorry you all, but humans are not that all important to have to prioritize as always first. Fly off to another planet if you think so. Just on a personal belief, I think its better to not just jump on the band wagon when you see the band wagon not going anywhere. If you can carve your own path you might get somewhere better. Do something ‘you’ can do. You can feel all you want for the Iraqis, they are as alive as all those dogs Willie is fighting for. And what, f*ck the frogs and the Burmese and all of Africa, human or not? “Wees in Iraq!” If you care about your own dumb ass too much you/we might just lose this stinking planet of ours. You in town for rush hour? IT STINKS!
I want to be as pure as Arvy.
I have seven , at one time all promisicuos, now spayed a neutered and they are my loves, They sit with me sometimes in 36 hour stretches, making sure all of the motions, legislation, resolutions have been voted on, passed on , phone calls, emails, you know and if I must go to DC or Manhatten, it is a minimum of a day, it costs me like a bazillion dollars for 7 dogs, albeit small, to kennel. I have known them for 13 years, it isn’t their treatment I worry about it is that when I pick them up they are so forlorn and tired.
Treatment of animals is a given that they be treated as well as they afford you their affections. Have you ever seen Rotti’s or Piti’s, abused, starved fight trained, handler comes in and they will still come to him for love, as if they ever had any, only beast I’ve witnessed, no matter the extent of mental and physical harm inflicted upon them by their owner, still want to come to them, this is how pure their love is.
I was on Alternet, their site is slammed with r. paul people, 9/11truthers, implanting things, anti-Islamic and racist content.
I hope, but i can tell by the speech patterns, they are screwing up this site, as well
jungleboy November 25th, 2007 12:29 am — “You can feel all you want for the Iraqis, they are as alive as all those dogs Willie is fighting for.”
Some are. Many aren’t. But at least they’re not tied up in somebody’s backyard, although those experiencing the tender loving care of the occupying power might even welcome that alternative.
jade November 24th, 2007 8:21 pm — “noone is forcing anyone to choose between humans and canines”
Tell that to the world’s starving humanity while Americans spend over nine billion dollars on pet food every year.
Moondoggy November 24th, 2007 9:32 pm — “The greatness of a nation and it’s moral progress can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated.” - M. K. Gandhi
I suspect Mr Gandhi might not have approved of the US slaughter of livestock, especially cattle. On the other hand, his own dedication to moral progress priorities seemed focussed, first and foremost, on people. It seems like a pretty long stretch between Willie and Gandhi.
Domino November 25th, 2007 1:10 am — “I want to be as pure as Arvy.”
Pure?! As I said, I like dogs too and I own one. He’s definitely on my very impure list of priorities, just not at the top — as he soon discovers if he threatens any human invitees to my home.
Willie is helping the world. That’s far better than sitting on the sidelines questioning someone else’s priorities. This ad could have taken 10 mins out of Willie’s day. None of us know what the man does with his time and it’s none of our business.
We have to be the change that we wish to see - as they say!
Adding to the list of priorities for us all to keep in mind if we’re so inclinded - the Sex Slave Industry is an 20+ billion dollar a year industry - that is a sacred cow to the ruling elite of the developed nations.
The world is run by a bunch of sick fighting dogs. Maybe Willie’s work will get some of them feeling a bit more humane.
Cheers to Willie and to everyone else who is putting some energy into the countless wars that are being fought for the rights of all creatures on this Earth!
OS
Yes cheers to Willie and all the others who are working/fighting for a better world!
What about all the other supposedly ‘great’ American “stars” (both actors and musicians) who are too cowardly to take a stand on any controversial issues?
Many are capable of getting headlines to further a cause, but maybe they’re too cowardly. I suspect that they’re worried about loosing some popularity and income. How many mansions & millions of dollars would be enough for you?
Fear destroys people. It kills their humanity and makes them act like stupid conforming sheep. I have lots of respect for the people (stars or not) who are in the trenches fighting.
kb
Well I still don’t care about people like I care about the planet. It is easier to say than do. (People are easy, “look at those ‘…..’or at that ‘…..’”! OOOOH! OH! I CARE ABOUT HER!) I guess I’ll start in my own backyard first.
Arvy, I do see your point but I have to ask about the fencing in and border checks in iraq. They just don’t get petted. I know its off the subject.
I know I will never see this planet come back to life, in this life, but I want to give it the best possible chance to do so as soon as it can. That has nothing to do with humans being first.
How many of our lives (all lives are ours to defend) are we going to have to give, to realize this ruling elite has been starting wars with ‘us’ as a reason, from the beginning of time. We know its a lie. GW doesn’t care if al quaeda is in iraq. He wanted Saddam! He wants oil! Burma, Darfur,..OIL OIL OIL! The Inquisition is a just example of people fighting for religion, two leaders don’t agree and thousands die. Same religion. Its just the leaders and their power games, once again. The hard part is the death of the ruling elite. I wish they would fly off to mars.
Good on ya Willie. At least yer not just thinking about yourself.
You can come on by my place for a toot anytime.
cheers
w
Thanks Willie!
It takes a real coward and a cruel individual to allow animals to kill one another for sport.
It amazes me how you can get that many sick indivduals together.
I am all for making dog fighting a felony…..anywhere, not just Georgia.
Let these low life dogs fight each other in the penitentiary.
Right on Willie.
Thank You also for helping us with HR.503 and S.311.
You are the Horses, dogs and our HERO.
You can do no wrong by the millions of fans you have.
See you in Congress very soon.
We are now on the Calendar.
You are blessed.
Judith
I agree with Willie… Dogs are worth a million times more than people… we need to work for them cause otherwise stupid American just let them die horrible deaths as they do most of the rest of the world. Americans look the other way everyday letting everything and everyone die. They do nothing. They say nothing. Dogs at least love each other, most people and sometimes even those who are unkind to them. Which is not what you can say for most Americans.
Willie Nelson thinks about issues and takes a stand in favor of peace and kindness. If he misses an issue you think is important you should take it up.
Quit bitching about activists that are on the peoples’ side!
Willie’s a friend of the ppl, youth, students and stoners alike! There are a TON of issues out there and ALL need to be addressed, including dogfighting. Stopping this cruel practice should be a priority for those who claim to defend the least among us.
shakker is absolutely right. Go Willie!
all you animal lovers! have you provided for your pets in your will? I had a terminally ill friend who verbally agreed to leave her house, acreage and valuable possessions to her nephew: he would care for her dog when she died. He sent the Westie to be euthanized:luckily,I found out and intervened. Woody, the Westie, was two years old and well-trained getting him adopted took me less than ten minutes.
Generally, there are two types of people in the world. 1)Those who actually take action to try to change things according to their value system; and 2)those who just sit back and criticise the first group,because they are too lazy or unmotivated to do anything else.
Thanks, Willie! You’ve got a great big heart…and we all love you for it.
Yes, thanks Willie, for all your contributions including this one. Just ignore the armchair critics whose idea of involvement is typing sniping.
we were gonna make the world a better place.
what happened?
we stopped getting stoned:
Willie didn’t
give em hell
Barbarosa
The argument that one must either support animal rights, or support human rights is nothing short of stupendously ignorant.
Anyone who knows what Willie Nelson stands for, and isn’t just ego-masterbating by seeing their words in print on this blog, would know that no one has worked harder to support Dennis Kucinich, THE ONLY HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTING CANDIDATE!
Willie Nelson is friends with Nelson Mandela, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, His Holiness the 14th Dali Lama, and I dare say he would have been great friends with Ghandi, as well as marched with Dr. King.
You who criticise him for standing up for animal rights need to spend time with him.
And to correct the rediculous statement that most of the people who support Willie Nelson also support “the Chimp” are amazingly misinformed. Willie Nelson has done more to bring people’s attention to the fact that W is the ruination of this country than any other person, because “those people” as you call them listen to him.
His other issues, SUSTAINABLE biodiesel (not corporate biodiesel), horse slaughter (he has so far rescued 40 horses from slaughter and abuse), Taking our country back from the fascist neo-cons (check out his songs Whatever Happened To Peace On Earth, and Peaceful Solution (Take Back America), Small family farmers, New Orleans, and just about anyone else who needs his help. He does many more things we don’t have a clue about, and seems to put his money (most all of it) where his mouth is…what about you?
If you just want to blog, find a topic you actually know something about.
willie’s got it right, i’ll take dogs over most people any day.
Willie Nelson, good will ambassador, friend to the working people and champion for dogs.
Dogs have no voice so I’m thankful for celebs who speak for them.
I’m reminded of Bill Maher who is on Peta’s board of directors. I hate his Israeli first stance and anti muslim racist attempts at humor - therefore if I watch his program I keep in mind that he probably only has a job as long as he pleases his zionist masters.
But that doesn’t take away from his positive work for animals.
Willie on the other hand, doesn’t have the zionist baggage, imho he really is one of the pure of heart.
@Arvy, I usually agree with your posts, but your righteousness on this topic was unnecessary and close to ugly.
I believe all people with good intentions are beginning to open their eyes to the fact that one life is as valuable as another be it human or 4 legged, even fish have feelings. Personally, I’m not to keen on insects yet.
THANK YOU WILLIE. You’ll always be no. 1 with me.
Southern Cross:
“Generally, there are two types of people in the world. 1)Those who actually take action to try to change things according to their value system; and 2)those who just sit back and criticise the first group,because they are too lazy or unmotivated to do anything else.”
WELL SAID!
Get off Willie Nelson.
He supports Kucinich and Cindy Sheehan–which pretty much makes him hard to criticize for loving animals.
I think “foreverhippie” is on the right track. Now let’s all just light up and play with our dogs. It’s hard to hate when you’re high, and it’s pretty cool how your dog is ever so much more intelligent than most straight people.
IMHO, the “War on Drugs”, with its incredible invasion of privacy and “prove yourself innocent” approach (urinalysis) was a well-planned warm-up to fascism yet to come. First, your pee, then your body and soul become property of the masters.
Go Willie. Hope you were high when you made the video!
When it comes to Activism Willie is “Always on my mind” (or for that matter when it comes to the handful of C&W singers that are worth 2 shits.)
Thanks Willie I,d burn one with you anytime.
When it comes to Activism Willie is “Always on my mind” (or for that matter when it comes to the handful of C&W singers that are worth 2 shits.)
Thanks Willie I’d burn one with you anytime.
” I’ll never get high with Willie again”
Oh but I will wrap myself in a flag and sell Ford trucks so I can make jist a little more money.
I know he’s been tryin to “make nice” lately ,but a few more of these younger superstars could step up to the plate.
Thanks again Willie maybe your example will be followed by some of the other “Friends in low places”
I’m starting to think this blog is heavily populated with idiots. The picture accompanying this story is Willie Nelson playing Farm Aid, where he helps people. He is involved in countless other causes where he helps people, and helps people who help people. And guess what? He also finds time to help animals! And when he does so, he gets criticized by people. What people? People who probably do very little to help people.