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
I am so happy and proud of Obama’s choice! He is a truly noble soul and I think that America finally has the chance to become a leader once again..a compassionate one.
As Obama said, “Our planet is changing and we must change with it!” So for him to choose Sunstein is no surprise. Finally animals voices can be heard. No more torture, no more inhumane killings, horrid and disgusting living environments- it can only get better. There is a golden light at the end of the tunnel and we will see great things in our lives!
Hooraaay!!!!!
I think Sunstein is an open thinker - that’s at least a start to the closed mindedness that many have regarding animal issues - especially if it affects their *meat* consumption.
I like him because he is a proponent of free speech. And believes that communities ought to be provided facilities for “open debate”. Certainly this can only help any cause for activists… especially concerning animal welfare or “rights”. We need to inform and educate people that there is indeed a problem with animal agriculture - right now, 90% of the people are in the dark about where their meat “food” comes from.
http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/SUNWHY.html
I hope this new cabient member does bring many reformd to how amiericans view and treat animals. we have for too long abused and exploited animals for our own selfish desires and pleasures. It is time for animals to be set free just as finally the slaves were set free from the horrible oppression and cruelty of being owned with no rights or say in thier welfare.
I hope this new cabient member does bring many reforms to how amiericans view and treat animals. we have for too long abused and exploited animals for our own selfish desires and pleasures. It is time for animals to be set free just as finally the slaves were set free from the horrible oppression and cruelty of being owned with no rights or say in thier welfare.
“consumer freedom”, what a joke. That is the most spinningly misnamed organization in history. The center for “corporate” freedom is much, much more accurate and appropriate. They don’t give a damn about the consumer, or our well being, only the bottom lines of the corporate interests that fund them and their propaganda.
[...] advocate and author of the book Animal Rights: Current Controversies and New Directions has been appointed to the role of Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Will we see a new administration that speaks up for the legal rights of those not fortunate enough [...]
Aside from our own views and often misconceptions on why we need to slaughter there is another issue. Many persons including my own step sister cannot afford store bought meat yet she has been brain washed and almost misinformed that this is the place to get protein and nutrition. We’ve been misled by certain industries who profit more from chicken than they do from chick peas. Sadly this is only the tip of the iceberg. I would hope that any politician would put their priority as a civil servant before their personal objectivs, otherwise I’d also want them out of office. I don’t want victory from a biased situation but I would be happy to see people given correct information so that they may decide themselves.
I see Cass Susteins’ appointment as hope to raise awareness of the suffering of animals. Yes, animals should be entitled to legal representation and protection especially in factory farms. What has not been mentioned enough is the unspeakable cruelty and the dreadful damage to the environment, due to factory farming. I can only hope that compassion for the animals will be a high priority. Mr. Sustein please do the right thing.
This is great news! I believe the animals are in good hands with our new president. There is HOPE against the suffering of factory farm animals and the appointment of Mr. Sunstein is definitely a step in the right direction. Yes we can, yes we must help animals against suffering and abuse. Today it’s against torture of humans and tomorrow against torture of animals. The time has come. Long live Obama and his compassionate staff!
This is a sign of progress! The animal farming industry is an environmental nightmare as well as inhumane and unhealthy. Personally, I don’t agree with any consumption of animals, but for those who do, scientific evidence has shown that organic, free-range animals have up to 89% less pathogens due to the lack of stress, chemicals and drugs. Factory farms for chicken slaughter in the US kill more animals in a year than there are the number of people living on Planet Earth. Scientific evidence has also shown that poaching and hunting has elimiated and nearly eliminated many species of fish and mammals. At least if people were forced to kill an animal they wanted to eat themselves, they would be more concsious of any waste, etc., instead of being completely detached from what that pile of “pork” or “beef” that is in that grocery store package and what negative impact on lives and the environment it had to become that slab of rotting flesh. Hopefully this appointment will bring education and debate publicly and into the school systems if nothing else!