Concerned Citizens of Grant County vs. The Lunatic Fringe

The title of this post is a little racy even for me but I have kept my civility for as long as I could and it just seemed to be the time to get this out in the open. First of all I would like to point out that in my opinion it is NEVER appropriate to belittle your neighbor. To make disparaging remarks in order to discredit them. You may ask then, why the title? The title comes from hearing to many comments by people who do not have a valid defense to their position and so instead throw out rude labels in order to discredit the people who have a different opinion than they do and then those labels and opinions get passed around to others who then take on those opinions and they thereby become victims of "Prejudical Transfer" These new people then take on the prejudice and feelings unjustly aimed at their neighbors because of the whisperings of a few who cannot seem to function with people who have a different opinion than they do.

I have been watching this debate going on between the Concerned Citizens of Grant County(CCGC) and the people who oppose them for over a year and a half. I have remained silent through most of the discussion because it was not an area of familiarity to me. After all this time It has become clear to me that there is a problem. This problem needs to be corrected. The first correction that needs to be made is to identify what the CCGC is.

The Concerned Citizens of Grant County is a group of people who have joined together for ONE issue. Read that. Only ONE issue. That ONE issue is SETBACKS. The Concerned Citizens of Grant County is made up of various people who have different views and interests. Some are pro CAFO. Some are not. Some are for other things and some are not. When anyone addresses the Concerned Citizens of Grant County you must understand that they are ONLY concerned about the setbacks. There is no other issue they push. There is no other agenda they have.

You also need to know that there is no official spokesperson for the Concerned Citizens of Grant County. Any time one of the members speak they are not necessarily speaking for the CCGC. If a person is speaking about any issue other than setbacks they are not speaking for the CCGC but may be sharing their own opinion.

So you may ask why are my feathers ruffled here? Is has to do with certain people referring to the comments by members of this forum as "anti-animal agriculture rhetoric" and the members themselves as "the lunatic fringe." Really? This astonishes me that people who live together, who work together, who go to church together can be so insensitive. "Lunatic Fringe" is a comment meant to discredit someone. Why would you want to discredit your neighbor by name calling? Why wouldn't you just point out the flaw in their thinking? Perhaps you can't do that because there is no flaw in their thinking and you have no argument left except to call them names and make up lies about them in order for you to influence other people to agree with you.

I have never heard any disparaging remarks made by any member of the CCGC against the people who oppose them. On the other hand I have heard numerous remarks both on this forum and on the street against the CCGC. It reminds me of Germany during the 1930's. Only then they made such comments against the Jews. When the opportunity came to get rid of them the people were happy to send them away. We all know the end result of that. Is there any excuse for people who live in the same community to have such feelings against their neighbors for no just reason? I don't think so.

In my opinion, what you say is what you are.

One of the benefits of this forum is to be able to set the record straight as far as the truth is. One thing that needs to be addressed in correcting the error that is going around is who the Concerned Citizens of Grant County are. As I said they have ONE issue. SETBACKS. That being the case we need to clear the air as to some things that have been stated on this forum about them.

LindaS wrote:

this forum...it was becoming a place for rumors to be aired...

This was from "getting used to forums. It is a peculiar thing to say considering that our goal here is to dispel rumors. Let's take a look at some possible rumors LindaS may be talking about.

LindaS wrote:

Mouthpiece would be against these people keeping their dairy farm as a CAFO...Mouthpiece is opposed to many different kinds of agriculture operations.

The above quotes were taken from "Trying to get rid of family owned CAFO's?

It is inappropriate to express opinions that are not your own. Mouthpiece has discussed issues that are of concern. Even LindaS has admitted that there are concerns regarding CAFOs and pollution, employment, and odor. It is not right to make untrue statements about what another person is for or against. LindaS has unfairly labeled Mouthpiece. Mouthpiece is a great supporter of many different kinds of agricultural operations and to my knowledge has never made any statement of being against CAFO's.

LindaS wrote:

The GCCC in public is about stopping new livestock operations of a certain unspecified size(large) and ownership type and number of employees, but that is not all. Preserving a rural way of life or returning to a County with many small farms is also one of their issues and from the newspaper ads from conversations with members that is what the GCCC is trying to promote by stopping new large livestock operations...I heard second hand that farmers on the flats were planning to hold up the transmission line because they don't want the little ranches in the hills to get the extra cash from turbing easments. It's just a rumor.

The above quotes come from and "Concerned Citizens of Grant County", and "Wind Energy."

In the first place if the easement thing is just a rumor why would you spread it on the internet. Why don't you find out if the rumor is true or false and then people can read on the internet if it is true or not. If you don't like rumors, why spread them?

For some reason LindaS appears to refer to the Concerned Citizens of Grant County as GCCC. As I pointed out before in the above post the Concerned Citizens of Grant County is about only one issue. Setbacks. The statement by LindaS that they want to stop new livestock operations, or returning to a county of small farms is not correct. The people of this area need to know the facts. From everything that I have read about them for the past year and a half it amazes me that there is any opposition to them at all. All they want is setbacks. Reasonable setbacks from what I hear. Depending on the number of animals maybe a mile or less or a little more? Why do these people fight them? Is that so unreasonable?

When one looks at the people in other places like MN and ND and how the citizens of those communities do fight to get rid of the CAFO's in their communities and fight to not allow new CAFO's in it is beyond my comprehension that the Concerned Citizens of Grant County are so vilified. Are they being labeled because of what other groups are doing? I would think that the establishment would embrace something as simple as a setback and get on with the project. What do CAFO's have against a setback?

These people have been wrongfully treated. The group is not against CAFO's. Some of it's members may feel that way but is not the purpose or function of the group and the group should not be treated as if they are something they are not. If the Concerned Citizens of Grant County is not trying to get rid of CAFO's they should not be vilified by members of the community and called "Lunatic Fringe." They should be treated respectfully.

LindaS wrote:

I spoke against the change because I believe raising setbacks does not address pollution, employment, odor but simply pushes CAFO's into less populated areas next to rivers and parks and into the thin gravel hills where the aquifer water enters the earth.....I won't accept an accusation that I haven't made an attempt to communicate with GCCC and other anti livestock people.

From "Grant County Commissioners, Will They Promote Good Government and Listen?"
My response to that LindaS is that the setbacks weren't meant to fix the problem of pollution, employment, or odor. The setbacks were for the protection and benefit of the people next to a CAFO. You don't have to stop working on the other problems. Setbacks is just one of the issues like pollution, employment, and odor. One solution for all doesn't work. Address each one and go from there. If you think it is wrong to put CAFO's next to rivers and parks and gravel hills then why do you think it is OK to put them next to families?

It is also not correct to compare the Concerned Citizens of Grant County as anti livestock. That is part and parcel with trying to discredit them.

The last comment I want to make on this is the CAFO's that are in operation in our area. Looking on the internet it is easy to find many comments by people who live near them and how they are suffering. You don't hear about that around here. That leads one to believe that the CAFO's near us are doing their job correctly and there is no issue with them. They should be commended on their efforts. I have not seen the populace arise and demand they leave. The citizens for the most part have been docile towards them. I would hope that those in positions of influence would recognize that and perhaps use their influence to convey to those people who think they have to treat everyone who raises a question as an "enemy that must be subdued" that citizens who have an opinion are not to be mistreated.

Let's remember that we are all neighbors and be reasonable. We can disagree without adopting the rude behavior of some elements of society and bash our neighbors. Let's work together and get along.

I am proud to be a member of the Grant County Concerned Citizens (GCCC). It is a group that started with a bunch of neighbors who stuck together to protect their water, land, air and each other. It was a true grassroots effort. I call the summer of 2008 the season of small miracles. On the whole we have conducted ourselves well in the public forum. We make every effort not to call names, intimidate others or engage in any personal vendettas.
The book 'Factory Farm' is a compilation of what happens when cafos enter an area. The book cites situations from all over the US, but concentrates on 3 main places, east coast, west coast and mid-west.
The modus operandi of those who want cafos seems to follow a play book. Come in to the community promising great economic development, promise that there will be no social, environmental or economic problems. Most of the time the local officials swallow this myth hook, line and sinker. Usually powerful business people, often of national importance throw their considerable power around to force the community to accept these places. Warnings of dire financial hardships are given. Those who are opposed are marginalized, labelled as kooks, peta members, people who know nothing about agriculture and yes, lunatic fringe.
But it did not work here, most of us are real farmers who know what farming is all about. Many of us make a living from full-time farming. Others in the county know us, they know we are not 'goofy'.
One of the zoning board members told a member of our group in a local restaurant 'You sure are a bunch of goofies out there in Kilborn'. If what we are doing is goofy, we will wear the label proudly.
How many local cafos have gone under or filed bankruptcy? I know of several. And it is hard to count the cafo that is an 'educational institution' because I think they are non-profit. Correct me if I am wrong.

I meant that that cafo does not operate under the same perameters as other cafos. Another issue is that there are at least two cafos in the area that do not operate at the full capacity of their permit. Even so, talking to their neighbors might reveal some suffering among them.
Yesterday, Main street in Milbank was really smelly. Anyone want to guess why?

[b]
I think that anyone that listened to the interview on the Milbank radio station with Commissionner Forette would understand one of the problems in Grant County. He had great praise for the Planning and Zoning, and for the state in policing CAFO's. He complained that the Grant County Concerned Citizens did not put a member on the NEUTRAL task force. First of all, Planning and Zoning can not pick and choose CAFO'S, a lawsuit in the southern part of SD had a judge decide you let one in, you let all. And as for the State, there are many laws out there, but do they follow them. Remember it is the state DENR that claimed there was no manure spill at the Veblen dairy. What is that stuff coming down the Little Minnesota into Big Stone Lake? And Veblen has not been in compliance since they were built. This is how our waterways are protected? And the neutral task force, 7 people? All in favor of CAFO's?
Sound like a group that will be neutral? I think NOT!
This is no solution to the problems with CAFO's. And he stated people should be able to do what they want with their land. Over 800 land owners signed the petition that they wanted cafo's further away than 1/2 mile. Don't our local people need some good representation?Concerned Citizens of Grant County vs. The Lunatic Fringe[/b]

When one looks at the people in other places like MN and ND and how the citizens of those communities do fight to get rid of the CAFO's in their communities and fight to not allow new CAFO's in it is beyond my comprehension that the Concerned Citizens of Grant County are so vilified. Are they being labeled because of what other groups are doing? I would think that the establishment would embrace something as simple as a setback and get on with the project. What do CAFO's have against a setback