O’Sullivan’s First Law (Sadly) Vindicated Again

John O'Sullivan

John O’Sullivan, former editor of National Review, senior aide to Margaret Thatcher, and former head of Radio Free Europe, is also the progenitor of what he calls “O’Sullivan’s First Law,” which holds: “All organizations that are not actually right-wing will over time become left-wing.”  As John explains:

I cite as supporting evidence the ACLU, the Ford Foundation, and the Episcopal Church. The reason is, of course, that people who staff such bodies tend to be the sort who don’t like private profit, business, making money, the current organization of society, and, by extension, the Western world.

Today we can add to this sorry (and very long) list the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the once noble group that pulls at our heartstrings to save stray dogs and cats and such.  Now they’ll be pulling at our heartstrings to help pay a $9.3 million judgment against them for the egregious lawsuit they filed against the Ringling Brother’s circus, as this news release explains:

VIENNA, Va., Dec. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Feld Entertainment, Inc., the producer of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus, announced today that the company has reached a legal settlement with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in connection with two federal court cases. Under the settlement, ASPCA has paid Feld Entertainment $9.3 million to settle all claims related to its part in more than a decade of manufactured litigation that attempted to outlaw elephants in the company’s Ringling Bros. ® Circus.  This settlement applies only to the ASPCA.  Feld Entertainment’s legal proceedings, including its claims for litigation abuse and racketeering, will continue against the remaining defendants, Humane Society of the United States, the Fund for Animals, Animal Welfare Institute, Animal Protection Institute United with Born Free USA, Tom Rider and the attorneys involved.

“These defendants attempted to destroy our family-owned business with a hired plaintiff who made statements that the court did not believe.  Animal activists have been attacking our family, our company, and our employees for decades because they oppose animals in circuses.  This settlement is a vindication not just for the company but also for the dedicated men and women who spend their lives working and caring for all the animals with Ringling Bros. in the face of such targeted, malicious rhetoric,” said Kenneth Feld , Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Feld Entertainment.

As the Wall Street Journal rightly comments: “The case is an example of how the ASPCA has become increasingly politicized and much different from the nice outfit that looks out for the well-being of homeless and lovable dogs and cats.”  Why the ASPCA decided to throw it its lot with the extremist animal rights activists is something donors of all size should be asking its board of directors.  And a staff purge should follow.

By the way, there is no O’Sullivan’s Second Law.  But I’ll keep asking John to play the lawmaker for us.

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