mkray’s Recent Comments

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  enviros uniting with "sportsmen"

  It is true that the Sierra Club and others sometimes work against hunting. My experience is this occurs when the hunters are behaving badly. For example, among hunters there is a significant constituency that hates predators. Hate isn't a strong enough word. Predators to them are just a 'bad' animal. They want them dead by any means and in any number. Yes animal rights people often object to those means, but environmentalists are correct to object to the numbers if they are detrimental to wildlife populations.
     I call myself an environmentalist and don't think animals have rights the ways humans do. But there is no shame either in wanting animals treated respectfully, with compassion and dignity. No one should feel like they have to leave their heart at the door to have a place at the discussion table. (I also notice that on other topics like factory farming where animals are treated horrifically, the enviromental damage is also pretty horrific- animal rights and environmental protection often go together.)
     It is very easy for hunters to wear the "conservaion" cloak when what they really want protecting are their own self interests and not the common good- their permission to kill and not wildlife and habitat for its own sake.On An emerging environmental majority? posted 3 years, 6 months ago 11 Responses