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Governor names Bo Derek to horse board

Racing
#1

Governor names Bo Derek to horse board
Once again, Arnold Schwarzeneggger has reached back to his acting connections to fill a state post. Today, the governor named Bo Derek, the actress turned political activist, to a seat on the California Horse Racing Board.

Derek, shown in a picture from Illinois, where she backed legislation to prevent a horse slaughtering plant from reopening, has been particularly involved in preventing the slaughter of horses.

Derek, 51, has served as spokeswoman for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act since 2003, according to the Governor’s Office.

Check out her film history at IMBD and her personal Web site.

Her new gig pays a $100 per diem and requires state Senate confimation.

#2

I know I’m new to this…but what the heck does she know about racing??

#3

[QUOTE=RNB;3364619]
I know I’m new to this…but what the heck does she know about racing??[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure, but she gives good press and she’s an often quoted animal lover. That’s all you need right?! (That was sarcasm just in case someone couldn’t tell and wants to yell about it. It’s so much less funny when you have to explain it.)

#4

[QUOTE=RNB;3364619]
I know I’m new to this…but what the heck does she know about racing??[/QUOTE]

I’m not new to this and was wondering the same thing.

#5

I think the fact that she’s owned (and I believe bred)horses for decades, at least she has alot of knowledge of horses. I also like the fact that she’s anti-slaughter and is working towards a REAL answer in helping out ‘unwanted’ horses. No different than Reagan becoming Governor-then president! And he was one of the best Presidents we ever had.:yes:

#6

[QUOTE=MassageLady;3364650]
I think the fact that she’s owned (and I believe bred)horses for decades, at least she has alot of knowledge of horses. I also like the fact that she’s anti-slaughter and is working towards a REAL answer in helping out ‘unwanted’ horses. No different than Reagan becoming Governor-then president! And he was one of the best Presidents we ever had.:yes:[/QUOTE]

Knowledge of horses doesn’t necessarily translate to knowledge of what’s best for racing…

I honestly know very little about her credentials. If she is truly sensible, practical, and non-fanatical in her practices (i.e. not waving a PETA flag), then more power to her and I hope she brings something to the table.

Although you’re scaring me with that Reagan comment. :wink:

#7

She did write a book: (2002) “Riding Lessons: Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses” so maybe that makes her more qualified :smiley:

Seriously though the Gov likely looked at this as a way to appease the various protection organizations she has been vocal for. At the end of the day her role on the board won’t change racing in some radical way. If her presence and determination means some egregious aspects are regulated out - so be it.

I think it is far more likely that she’ll leave the position without her reputation among those groups in tact. There is no way to make everyone happy with an agenda that likely only stops short at ceasing racing. As has happened too many times a mercurial front person (not that Bo has that level of adoration) to assorted grass roots groups gets vaulted into such a committee and then is vilified by the same grass roots people for becoming part of the system when little change occurs.

#8

Although you’re scaring me with that Reagan comment.

Well…everyone else seemed to like him-he was in for two terms, alot of good was done at the time. I guess we all have our own opinions.:winkgrin:

#9

I will add that this pic of Bo on her company’s website is interesting. For a woman who created a trend in looks, its odd she’d want to look like Paris Hilton :smiley:

#10

Super.

I can’t wait for her to introduce her line of pet pomades and fragrances to California backsides. Finally! Someone will neutralize those malodors once and for all!

shnork

:lol:

#11

Too bad they didn’t teach her how to ride while she was at it! Have you seen her ride???..appalling. Personally, I think she is in a hair contest with the fantasy breeds. PULEZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

#12

more on Bo

A conservative Republican, Derek has served as spokeswoman for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act since 2003 and has owned “Bless the Beasts” since 2000. She has been chairperson for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Rehabilitation Special Events since 2000. Additionally, Derek has acted as the special envoy of the Secretary of State on wildlife trafficking and has served on the board of WildAid and the Galapagos Conservancy in Ecuador.

Derek previously served on the board of trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after being appointed by President George W. Bush.

The Southern California native lives on her ranch in Santa Ynez.

from The Bloodhorse

as an aside, the day Reagan died, one of the post offices in Marin county closed in honor of Ray Charles’ passing.

#13

[QUOTE=MassageLady;3364885]
Well…everyone else seemed to like him-he was in for two terms, alot of good was done at the time. I guess we all have our own opinions.:winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

Um … not everyone. :eek: Plenty of people couldn’t stand the guy (and re the two terms: lots of presidents we’d disagree on served two terms; does that mean “everyone” liked all of them, too, and that they did a lot of good? :wink: ). But, please … let’s not drag some old dead guy and his politics into a horse racing thread. :slight_smile:

Considering how terribly disfunctional California horse racing is at the moment, Derek’s appointment isn’t all that surprising. She probably lobbied pretty hard for it, with the backing of the groups she vocally supports, and the governator essentially killed the proverbial two birds with one stone: He gave (another) political appointment to (another) friend and satisfied the AR folks in one fell swoop.

I wonder how she’s going to deal with an owners and breeders association in open revolt against its own president as well as the CHRB? :lol:

#14

Bo Derek presents herself well, is articulate, and is a true advocate for animal welfare. What part of that rubs y’all the wrong way? Or is it that men’s eyes still tend to bug out when she’s in their presence?

Would you prefer another Dutrow or Ivarone?

#15

[QUOTE=I’m EBO;3367192]

Would you prefer another Dutrow or Ivarone?[/QUOTE]

Do you honestly want an answer? You won’t like mine…

I would prefer people sitting on a horse racing board to have some background in, well, racing. :winkgrin:

#16

You know, if they have a background with some knowledge of horses, and she does, and they give a damn, which she appears to, I think it is FAR better to have at least one “outside” perspective, rather than another good ol boy to keep the status quo.

Things need to change.

Ah, and regarding “the great communicator”…at least he didn’t butcher the King’s English, and make the country look like it is being run by a blithering idiot every time he does a press conference- for TWO terms. :winkgrin:

#17

Ummmm…no and no. However, I think there are people on this bb who are more qualified.

#18

Ummmm…no and no. However, I think there are people on this bb who are more qualified.

I don’t doubt that there are many more qualified people on this bb, or at least some who know more about racing.

But. . . .Do they live in California? Are they celebrities who have an ability to gather the press for any pronouncements, comments or photo ops? Did they express an interest in filling the position? Would they lend a bit of glamor to the racing board?

Panties seem to be in a twist for not much of a reason other than Gov S didn’t consult COTH before making his selection and/or BD’s hair doesn’t pass muster among some of the respondents.

Anyhow, it doesn’t seem he did her a big favor: http://dist05.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={BB47C0BF-FD31-457A-ABF2-3BA40E07003B}&DE={07D5E911-F534-4F52-95E6-2E4D190E54BB}

#19

Everyone is screaming for there to be change in racing-well they brought in an outsider, one that can ‘see the forest for the trees’, and now you all are screaming about it? Talk about not giving people chances-perhaps she’ll do a great job. I think she will.

Um … not everyone. Plenty of people couldn’t stand the guy (and re the two terms: lots of presidents we’d disagree on served two terms; does that mean “everyone” liked all of them, too, and that they did a lot of good? ). But, please … let’s not drag some old dead guy and his politics into a horse racing thread.

Over half the country! And tell me when did any President get 100% of the vote:lol:
Not dragging a ‘dead guy’…he was an actor turned politician, just as Bo is doing. THAT is my connection.:smiley:

#20

Being a political appointee to the California Horse Racing Board is not the same as being a politician.

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