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
Some of you guys are really out there. You think animals have the same rights as humans do? Are you serious? The Bible even states that “man was put on this earth to rule over all living things” but yet you want to make animals equal to humans. I suppose since that is in the Bible it most likely wont mean much to some of you. You guys don’t hunt but yet you want to take away one of my favorite past times. What do you like to do? What’s your past time? Let me know so that I can push my own agenda and take away your past time just because I don’t agree with it. What do I care, wont effect me any. Have any of you fished or hunted before? I would guess that most have not. How can you talk like experts about something you have never experienced first hand? Put your lattes down and leave your big cities and come out to the country. You just might learn something. As far as you animal extremists go, I’m glad your around. You guys look like a bunch of wackos to the general public and make defending my god given right to hunt so much easier.
Anyone who has anything to do with PETA is igorant of what their realy doing PETA HAS KILLED 95% OF THE ANIMALS THEY HAVE ADOPTED AND CALL IT COMPASSION
As an avid hunter, fisherman, and environmental conservationist that believes in global warming… and global cooling, (the cycle of water vapor and radiation from the sun… you know, that big yellow ball in the sky), I am concerned about yet another crackpot appointment by BO. You people actually think this Government cares about you? They only care about your wallets… and distract you with junk science and pseudo-intellectualism that tugs on the heartstrings of your ideology. They are using your “causes” to steal from you, and not correct the system that you believe oppresses you and the animals. If you don’t have the stones to train and quickly take an animal, field dress it, and cook it for your family… then you should not eat meat. It’s a choice… and most Americans are where they are because of personal choice. This appointment will only complicate the legal system… and funnel more cash to the lawyers… and the politicians that are all lawyers like Scheister Obama. Your “causes” will not be served… and you will be brought to your knees… and be begging for the $20 MILLION in Ham that your taxes bought and paid for. Goodbye liberty… buy a gun, hunt your food, grow your food on the land… and enjoy true liberty until this “Government” takes it from you.