No hunting on kings land peasant!
Newly promoted Washington official may pose problems for hunters
by Fred Aun/For The Star-Ledger
Saturday July 04, 2009, 10:18 PM
Hunters in New Jersey usually have their hands full keeping tabs on Trenton politicians with anti-hunting agendas. That doesn't mean they should take their eyes off public officials in Washington who might have similar mindsets.
The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) suggests one current example is President Barack Obama's choice of prolific law professor Cass Sunstein to head an important regulatory body. The president selected Sunstein - a friend and adviser who has expressed positions seen by USSA to be anti-hunting - to be in charge of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
Sunstein, who teaches at Harvard, could not be reached for comment. Thehill.com and the USSA report he has expressed some interesting opinions, including a view that aggrieved animals should be able to file lawsuits against humans (with, of course, the help of people).That, as well as Sunstein's comments during a 2007 speech, where he reportedly said hunting should be banned, played a part in prompting U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, (R-Ga.) to at least temporarily block Sunstein from attaining the OIRA position. Chambliss, who placed a "hold" on Sunstein's nomination, told reporters he wants to meet with Sunstein after this weekend's holiday break so he can discuss with him his points of view.
This is of importance to sportsmen primarily because Sunstein, as head of the information and regulatory affairs office, would have power to review and weigh-in on proposed federal regulations possibly including those that impact hunting and fishing, noted the USSA.
"As part of the federal budget office, the OIRA has extensive authority to perform data based cost/benefit analyses of all new federal regulations," stated the organization. "Though not allowed to issue opinions on the merits of any proposed regulations, the OIRA can block rules if it considers the supporting data not strong."
Chambliss reportedly is also concerned that Sunstein's stands on animal rights could have a negative impact on farmers.
According to reports, Sunstein's 2004 book, "Animal Rights: Current Debates and New Directions," contains a passage in which Sunstein wrote "animals should be permitted to bring suit, with human beings as their representatives, to prevent violations of current law."
While that might sound silly, he further explained that "Laws designed to protect animals against cruelty and abuse should be amended or interpreted to give a private cause of action against those who violate them, so as to allow private people to supplement the efforts of public prosecutors."
In 2002, Sunstein reportedly wrote that when it comes to animal-rights laws: "the spotlight should be placed squarely on the issue of suffering and well-being." No ethical hunter disagrees with laws prohibiting animal cruelty and abuse, but Sunstein has indicated he doesn't support hunting "if it's sole purpose is human recreation," reported Thehill.com.
In May, Sunstein's nomination was approved by the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, according to Thehill.com, which noted only U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) voted against him. On the bright side, at least for conservative sportsmen, Sunstein reportedly answered questions at the May hearing, about his writings on hunting.
"The law is authoritative, first," Sunstein said. "Second, I'm a strong believer in the second amendment to the United States Constitution. I'm on record as saying the second amendment protects the right to hunt. That reflects my own personal view. Hunters are among the strongest environmentalists and conservationists in the United States, and it would be preposterous for anyone in a position like mine to take steps to affect their rights or their interests."
Then there's the assessment of Sunstein by the Chicago Tribune. The paper said Sunstein is not easy to pigeon-hole and called him, "a high-wattage Harvard Law professor openly skeptical about various government rules" with a paper trail that "veers from liberal to libertarian, dedicated reformer to free-market devotee."
Chambliss reportedly said he wants to look Sunstein in the eye and gauge the man's true feelings. It seems sportsmen will just have to trust the senator's vision.