savagman Report post Posted August 26, 2009 This should concern all of us. I included a sample letter to your Senator a the bottom of this post. Please let your elected officials know how we feel. By Rob Sexton, Vice President for Government Affairs One of the most openly animal rights supporting bureaucrats is about to be confirmed to a position in the White House, and the hunting, farming and research communities have hardly fired a shot. I am writing about Cass Sunstein, a close friend of President Obama’s, and his choice to head up the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. This position is otherwise known as the “regulatory czar”, a person with authority over rules and regulations coming from the executive branch which includes the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. So what is wrong with Sunstein? Mr. Sunstein claims that, “we might ban hunting altogether, at least if it’s sole purpose is human recreation.” He has also indicated support for allowing lawsuits on behalf of animals, a right currently only extended to human beings. These quotes were of concern enough that two Republican US Senators, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia and Jon Cornyn of Texas, placed a temporary hold on the nomination. But for reasons not completely understood, both removed their holds, clearing the way for the nomination to proceed to a vote. I think I know the reason. The Senators are not hearing from sportsmen…or farmers about why this nomination is terrible for our country and the future of hunting, conservation and farming. We have no right to expect these Senators, both advocates of hunting, to walk the plank when our own community is largely silent. Oh not completely silent. We’ve issued press releases and on line alerts and other such obligatory hand wringing. But seasoned senators know the difference. They know that if this nomination were really important to us, they’d be hearing from hundreds of thousands if not millions of sportsmen and farmers. So what’re we waitin’ for? President Obama appointed Eric Holder, an openly pro-gun control attorney general. He appointed former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to be Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack vetoed dove hunting legislation while Governor. He tapped Lisa Jackson, fresh from her campaign to shut down bear hunting in New Jersey to be the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. None of them have openly written about shutting down hunting. But Mr. Sunstein has. None of these others have written about lawsuits by animals. But Cass Sunstein did. Worse, it is bantered about Washington DC’s political inner circle, that Mr. Sunstein is under consideration as a future Supreme Court justice by President Obama. How about the prospect of the first openly animal rights judge on the nation’s highest court? One explanation I have heard for our community’s silence is that Mr. Sunstein is going to be confirmed regardless of our opposition, so why use up valuable political capital? I guess my answer is this: Why have political capital in the first place if not to use it to try to block an animal rightist from being seated in a high level White House position? Further, I don’t believe that people and national, state and local sportsmen organizations give their hard earned money to the US Sportsmen’s Alliance to see us only get involved in the easy fights. So this past week, USSA circulated a letter for organizations to sign on opposing this nominee. Fifteen organizations joined. The letter will be sent to Senators this week. Although a step in the right direction, we need more than just a letter. So this week, USSA is calling on these fifteen organizations and the rest of the sportsmen’s community to fire up our grassroots supporters and turn them loose on the US Senate. To ask our contributors and members who give us money to fight the tough ones to join us by calling each of their two US Senators, asking them to oppose the nomination of Cass Sunstein as Regulatory Czar. [/color]Sample letter. I am writing to express my concern to you over the nomination of Cass Sunstein to serve as the head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). Mr. Sunstein is a dedicated anti-hunter and avid animal rights supporter. He has argued in favor of allowing animals to sue people in court and stated that we “we might ban hunting altogether, at least if it's sole purpose is human recreation.” If confirmed by the Senate, he will be in a central position to block or overturn regulations that protect hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation in general. Please oppose the Cass Sunstein nomination.. I hope that you will be able to help and look forward to hearing your response. You can find your Senators contact information here http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_info...fm.cfm?State=AZ Eric www.ussportsmen.org Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yote sniper Report post Posted September 9, 2009 As a farmer and hunter I researched up on your post and you are correct savagman and I contacted my u.s. senators and expressed my strong opposition to his nomination thanks for posting this topic I hope others will follow as well. The senate was supposed to vote today so please call your senator now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hendo9 Report post Posted September 21, 2009 WE ALL NEED TO PUT OUR TIME INTO STOPPING THIS OR WE WILL BE OUTLAWS HUNTING!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ghost hunter Report post Posted September 22, 2009 By now, you all should know that he was confirmed by the Senate 63-22. 5 Senators who usually back the USSA (U.S. Sportsman's Alliance) broke and voted in favor. Not sure who they are, but if they are from your state, write and thank them for nothing. In addition to the USSA, there were 15 major sportman and conservation groups who submitted letters against Sustein. Obama: "Cass is not only a valued advisor, he is a dear friend." Stand by, things will probably get worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
