Is There a Vegan In the White House? PETA, Rejoice!
Soon-to-be-President Barack Obama has appointed animal advocate Cass Sunstein to head the relatively obscure, yet powerful Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
The regulatory czar, as the position is generally called, is responsible for every regulatory agency in the country, such as the EPA, and will oversee all administration rules.
Sunstein is best known for his balanced views between government regulations and cost-benefit analysis and for his theory of behavioral economics and he is widely considered to be a great choice for the office. However, a new controversy is arising over his views on animal rights and animal welfare.
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Sunstein, a vegetarian, co-authored the book Animal Right: Current Debates and New Directions, and has advocated for much stricter regulations of almost every industry that uses animals, including entertainment, clothing, science and agriculture. The Center For Consumer Freedom claims that he will even attempt to outlaw meat-eating and hunting.
What some are criticizing the most is Sunstein’s argument that animals should be entitled to legal representation in court- a bold claim that, if enacted, would drastically change the role that animals hold in this country. Sunstein advocates banning hunting unless it is for food and says that animal suffering needs to be a priority of humans.
But before people worry that Sunstein is going to force everyone in our country to go vegan, it should be noted that his views are rooted in pragmatism, and that animal suffering is his primary concern, not necessarily animal liberation:
If we focus on suffering, as I believe that we should, it is not necessarily impermissible to kill animals and use them for food; but it is entirely impermissible to be indifferent to their interests while they are alive. So too for other animals in farms, even or perhaps especially if they are being used for the benefit of human beings.
While I would be more than happy with a leader in Washington who does openly advocate animal liberation, I understand that on a sensitive issue like this, any progress is a big stride. Maybe Proposition 2 was just the beginning of a new wave of animal welfare concerns? I can only hope.
Photo Credit: MVI on Flickr under Creative Commons License
Sunstein’s appointment gives me hope (and anything that riles the Center for Consumer Freedom–which I call the Center for Animal Slavery–does too!)
But on the other hand, one of Bush’s speechwriters and the guy who wrote Sarah Palin’s speech to the RNC, Matthew Scully, is an ethical vegan, and he didn’t do a darn thing to advance the cause of animal rights while he had the chance to influence the president and the Republican Party.
Uh, it says he’s a vegetarian, not a vegan.
Elaine,
It’s phrased in a question, not a fact. Frankly, someone with high political career ambitions probably couldn’t openly admit to being a vegan, so who knows if he is or not.
But judging by his writings, he sure ought to be.
-Alex
Three more cheers for Obama! If Obama can appoint good people to offset the damage done by the Bush Administration catering to industry and lobbyists, and encourage business –for whatever reason — to change its abusive ways, then more power to him — maybe there’s hope for us all yet!
PETA= People Eating Tasty Animals.I am a proud hunter and MEAT EATER.Without hunters ,just what do you think would happen as you build your big faNCY HOMES AND ENCROOCE even further into wildlife’s habitat???? And if hunting is so unethical and unnessesary,next time before going to the grocery store to buy your steaks and pork chops or chicken,Go to the slaughterhouse that supplied those meats that”you didnt have to hunt or kill for” and then think to yourself which is more humane.A quick killing bullet from a hunters gun or how they kill animals in a slaughterhouse.You might just find yourself asking for hunting advice or sitting next to me in a treesatnd watching for Bambi.
Jim- Very original joke. Never heard that one before.
There was no mention of hunting in this post at all. Though since you brought it up, Sunstein is not in favor of banning hunting if it is for food- he is in favor of banning hunting for sport and for pleasure, which I completely agree with him on.
While I am a vegan and don’t eat any meat, I am MUCH more in favor of someone hunting their meat than having it come from a cruel factory farm. I think most vegetarians and vegans are with you on that issue.
About your assertion that hunting is good for wildlife and habitat- I think you should do more research into the impact that hunting has on animals. There is little, if any, evidence to suggest that hunting has a positive effect on wildlife.
The people who write on these blogs are in no way in favor of building homes that further encroach into habitats. We are also conservationists. Hope this clears some things up.
-Michael
Yes SIR,I’ll be glad when sunstien get in and get’s the laws passed where the animals can sue! I got a Asil cock who’s goeing to sue the HUSA,Sunstein, PETA,coalation’s that banned cock fighting, States and Governments for over a trillion dollars,yes sir ,he told me so,said he could have been a world champion by now and they took it all away from him!yes sir, he also told me he had a birth certificate showing he was born right here in the United States as was his mommy and daddy and he ain’t ashamed to show it to the world,said he don’t like communist people puttin down our CONSTITUTION or takin away our FREEDOM’s, Yes Sir,he’s mad,yes sir he sure is.
If there was any doubt in my mind what side of the animal rights issue to be one, the unintelligent comments from yellowjacket and Jim have definitely convinced me not to be on their side.
This could be great news for animals, and for humans, who may begin moving towards a more peaceful, compassionate, empathy-based world.
I see this as a sign of hope for all peace loving persons and our animal co-inhabitants!