Over the weekend, Anthony “Van” Jones stepped down from his position as Special Advisor (a.k.a. czar) for green jobs. But on Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm the appointment of someone equally radical, Harvard Law professor Cass Sunstein.
Mr. Sunstein is an opponent of one of America’s finest traditions, hunting. In his essay “The Rights of Animals: A Very Short Primer,” Sunstein states, “We should focus attention not only on the ‘enforcement gap,’ but on the areas where current law offers little or no protection. In short, the law should impose further regulation on hunting.” In the next paragraph Sunstein continues, “We might ban hunting altogether, at least if its sole purpose is human recreation. (Should animals be hunted and killed simply because people enjoy hunting and killing them? The issue might be different if hunting and killing could be justified as having important functions, such as control of populations or protection of human beings against animal violence.)”
The urge of an altogether ban on hunting is an outrage. The law regarding most hunting is already considered by many to be highly regulated, albeit sometimes poorly. I don’t know if Mr. Sunstein can claim any authority on the topic of hunting, but it is obvious that Sunstein has either no comprehension of or no respect for the cultural value of hunting. His lack of respect for this American tradition is terrifying. Even conservative Democrats in the House are scared by Sunstein’s views. Rep. Dan Boren, an Oklahoma Democrat, said of Sunstein, “I don’t believe he should be appointed to anything.” I couldn’t agree more.
There exists a balance in hunting. Responsible hunters have the utmost respect for their quarry and minimize pain and suffering to the animal. Urging an outright ban on hunting is extreme. Only someone totally unaware of the nuances of hunting, or bent on a radical agenda, would even suggest such a ridiculous idea.
Some who should know better, including 18 senators who belong to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, are failed Americans with their support of Sunstein. These 18 members voted to confirm Sunstein’s appointment. These senators have failed in their commitment to support sportsmen across the nation. I will list each one’s name, state, and party for you. All should be targeted for strong (but polite) rebuke. Mr. Sunstein can’t help who Mr. Sunstein is, but your Senate and President Obama should not allow this anti-hunting radical into office. You should let them know that you don’t want Cass Sunstein working for you.
Sportsmen Senators Hall of Shame
Baucus (D-MT)
Bennet (R-UT)
Casey (D-PA)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hatch (R-UT)
Johnson (D-SD)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-CO)
Udall (D-NM)
