2/20/04
Dear Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The editorial, "Off target/Hunting and fishing are
fun, not sacred" (February 19, 2004), did not go far enough. Yes,
it is ridiculous to protect hunting and fishing as a constitutional right,
but no, it is not "innocuous" and well intentioned. Knitting
is innocuous; recreational killing of animals is a sickness.
Hunting is on the decline, due to many reasons: less people
living in rural areas; an abundance of other activities for children;
and most importantly, the inevitable raising of human consciousness toward
animals. Those who profit from hunting/fishing and those unable to find
creative, rather than destructive, hobbies are in a panic.
Historically, incremental progress toward justice is followed
by repressive measures designed to maintain the exploitative status
quo. In addition to making hunting/fishing a right, animal exploiters
in various
states have passed laws against so-called "hunter harassment," against
documenting ILLEGAL animal abuse (such as on factory farms), and
against peaceful protest.
Animal abusers feel moral constraints do not apply to them,
and that any negative impact on fun or profit from their animal abuse
must be intercepted, by force of law.
Rep. Matt Baker, who introduced this shameful bill, is quoted
as saying that it is in response to "extremists" who are trying
to ban hunting and fishing. It is hunters who resort to "extreme" measures
to protect their corrupt actions, as a level playing field (both
in the woods and in the law) is not for cowards.
This travesty of a bill, HB 1512, is not just anti-animal.
Hunting also puts humans at risk. If passed, an antidote bill will be
needed: a bill giving the 96% of the US population who do not hunt, constitutional
protection from hunters. We have the right to live free of gunfire in
our communities; to be safe inside or outside our homes and cars from
being shot; to not have to witness bloody snow and wounded, suffering,
or dead animals in our neighborhoods; to not have to post OUR own property
against animal killers; and to not be afraid that our children's schoolmates
are hunters who lack compassion, but possess weapons.
Go to www.all-creatures.org/cash to
learn more about the true nature (actually, anti-nature) of hunting.
Susan Gordon, Representative
The Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting
Box 562
New Paltz, NY 12561
