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Cattle Update: Arizona Cattleman Wins Libel Suit
CattleNetwork.com | 26 Jan 2005 | National Cattlemen
Washington, D.C. (Jan. 26, 2005) ?¢â??¬â?????? A Pima
County???? jury has awarded Arizona rancher Jim Chilton $600,000
in???? a???? libel suit against the Tucson-based environmental group,
Center for Biological Diversity.???? On Jan. 21, jurors in Pima County
Superior Court???? voted???? 9-1 that the Center???? made???? ?¢â??¬???false,
unfair, libelous and defamatory statements?¢â??¬????? regarding Chilton's management
of his???? Forest Service grazing allotment.????
????
Chilton, a fifth generation producer and member of the
Public Lands Council (PLC) and National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA),
claimed the Center made false statements about him in a news advisory, and that
the Center posted defaming photographs of his operation on its web site.????
The photos of Chilton?¢â??¬â??¢s grazing allotment showed barren patches of ground which
the Center said illustrated damage done by grazing. Chilton's lawyer, armed with
wide-angle photos taken at the same locations, argued that the surroundings were
?¢â??¬???worthy of a postcard, with oaks and mesquites dotting lush, rolling
hills.?¢â??¬?
????
?¢â??¬???The Center for Biological Diversity tried to further
its political agenda by attacking Jim Chilton and alleging that he was
mismanaging his 21,500-acre Forest Service grazing allotment, when nothing could
be further from the truth,?¢â??¬??? says Jeff Eisenberg, NCBA director of federal lands
and PLC executive director.???? ?¢â??¬???Ultimately, the goal of activist groups like
these is to end grazing on public lands. We?¢â??¬â??¢re glad there are folks like Jim
Chilton who won?¢â??¬â??¢t let that happen.?¢â??¬?
????
Chilton has said he will donate some of the $100,000 in
actual damages and $500,000 in punitive damages to the Arizona Cattle Growers
Association?¢â??¬â??¢s legal fund to be used in fights for ?¢â??¬???truth and responsibility for
cattle grazing issues.?¢â??¬?
????
NCBA and the Public Lands Council decry efforts by
activist groups that try to portray grazing in a negative light.????
"Unfortunately, many of our members???? are forced to deal with this kind of
harassment as they go about earning their livelihoods and building their
communities,?¢â??¬? says Eisenberg.???? ?¢â??¬???When environmental groups engage in these
public fights, it does little to meet the mutual goal of conserving
resources."???? ???? ???? ???? ????
????
Eisenberg says this verdict sets an important precedent
and will hopefully dissuade other activist groups from???? trying to libel
ranchers in the future. ?¢â??¬???The jury's award is an important vindication for Jim?¢â??¬â??¢s
position???? and for???? stockgrowers everywhere.???? ???? PLC and NCBA
congratulate Chilton for his important work in support of responsible management
of our public lands.???? ?¢â??¬???
????
Posted 01/30/2005 02:01:00 pm CST by missjones
[ Reply ]
Category: Constitution
Keywords: ESA Libel EnviroNuts Ranchers ArizonaTo: missjonesHurrah! Libelous, Eco-Kookery should not be tolerated.
Thank goodness for men like Jim Chilton, for having the courage to stand up to these unbathed bullies..
1 Posted 2005-01-30 16:08:08 by Jhoffa_
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