Animal Rights Radical in the Obama Administration

By Bob Ellis on January 19th, 2009

deerThe Center for Consumer Freedom says President-Elect Barack Obama’s pick for “regulatory czar” of the  White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Harvard Law School Professor Cass Sunstein, is a radical animal rights activist.

The piece points to a 2002 paper written by Sunstein entitled “The Rights of Animals: A Very Short Primer” as Exhibit A.

In this paper, Sunstein argues for the “rights” of animals and placing them on a par with the rights of human beings. He laments that current laws which protect animals from cruelty do not include hunting, medical research, and food animals.

He also argues that animals should have the right to bring lawsuits…with humans (presumably animal rights activists) as their representatives, of course.  Sunstein attempts to justify this absurdity by comparing it to adult representation of children in legal matters.

From his argument against using animals for food:

Killing animals, whether or not troublesome, is far less troublesome than suffering. But if, as a practical matter, animals used for food are almost inevitably going to endure terrible suffering, then there is a good argument that people should not eat meat to the extent that a refusal to eat meat will reduce that suffering.

Sunstein is also up for banning hunting:

We might ban hunting altogether, at least if its sole purpose is human recreation. (Should animals be hunted and killed simply because people enjoy hunting and killing them?

The article also includes a link to a video of Sunstein giving keynote speech at a Harvard University’s 2007 “Facing Animals” conference.  The video of Sunstein starts about  39:00 and includes this stronger affirmation of his desire to ban hunting:

“We ought to ban hunting, I suggest, if there isn’t a purpose other than sport and fun. That should be against the law. It’s time now.”

Things are not looking good for average Americans and their freedom, friends.

We are seeing nominee after nominee in the Obama administration turnout to be radical Leftists who do not hold the values upon which our nation was founded, nor do they hold the values of average Americans.  Most are hostile toward the freedoms we take for granted today.

Health Secretary Tom Daschle is an ardent supporter of government health care–an unConstitutional big-government measure which would rob Americans of their freedoms and their money.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is already talking about reinstituting the offshore drilling ban which was just removed a few months ago to deal with our nation’s energy needs.

EPA nominee Lisa Jackson is a disciple of the religion of anthropogenic global warming, a made-up farce based on a grain of science and handfuls of conjecture, engineered to emasculate the capitalistic West.

No, my fellow Americans,  things are not looking good in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Note: Reader comments are reviewed before publishing, and only salient comments that add to the topic will be published. Profanity is absolutely not allowed and will be summarily deleted. Spam, copied statements and other material not comprised of the reader’s own opinion will also be deleted.

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Categories: Commentary
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  • dfdouglas
    In addition, please read an article by the "son of Richard Berman" who is the devious mastermind behind the Center for Consumer Freedom and all the "MIS informational websites/front groups for Big Business designed to mis-inform consumers in the name of profits .......of which this anti-animal article has been based on......

    Berman's Son Calls Him a 'Human Molester'

    http://diggingthroughthedirt.blogspot.com/2009/...
  • Again, is Sunstein "misinforming" us? Right from the horses mouth he says he wants to do away with hunting and eating meat? Is he lying about his own views?
  • dfdouglas
    I think everyone should see this new and great website that exposes all of the mis-information these so called "godly men" are pushing as ethics and morality.............
  • Judi Hewitt
    Its about time animals were given better understanding and treatment. The writer of your article should try to get a conscience. So we all say good on Obama for his compassion and let all those idiots who think humans are the only ones to enjoy this world go hang!
  • "Better understanding" for animals who have no intelligence and no human soul. That says a lot about why you love Obama so.
  • Whit
    Global warming - a made-up farce based on a grain of science and handfuls on conjecture? Regardless of any new religious affiliation, it's a real phenomenon. Finally we can have some people in there that are aware. America needs to realize that we have to change our habits and outlook when it comes to energy. Put the ban on offshore drilling! Maybe that's what it takes for us as a country to turn to alternate sources for energy.
    And is our freedom seriously put in jeopardy with a threat to stop hunting? Hunting? You're scared that you will be stripped of your freedom to shoot animals? I say we have much bigger issues to get all worked up about. Barack Obama is bringing the revision we desperately need in this country. Have some faith.
  • dfdouglas
    I'm am truly sorry but you just proved my point, you can't write anything with injecting hatred..........OPEN YOUR HEART!
  • You are not truly sorry. You think God is a cosmic Santa Claus, all gushiness and love...while ignoring that he is holy and pure, and expect us to be holy and pure. You are profoundly wrong, and I hope you realize that before it's too late. God will not be mocked; he's not the pushover you think he is.
  • dfdouglas
    you are kidding yourself if you think this website is on par with the light of Jesus. This website promotes anger, hatred, war, divisiveness, narrow mindedness, hostility, all tools of the dark forces. You have become a channel for dark forces with your biting words of retribution, egoistic judgment and name calling.

    No where can I find words of harmony, unity, brotherhood for all, equality and love, an offering of peace or inclusiveness and tolerance. Light cannot shine in a closed heart, you have to OPEN YOUR HEART before your words will be worth of recognition......
  • If your idea of Jesus Christ is a moronic dullard who can be led to believe that he didn't really say the things he said, or didn't mean what he said, who smiles idiotically at sin, doesn't really care whether his followers live as the salt and light he told them to, didn't mean what he said when he said he was the only way, didn't know what he was talking about when he said that getting saved meant a life-changing transformation so radical he called it being "born again," can be led to abandon the standards he so clearly laid out for humanity, has nothing relevant to offer the world, was just fibbing to us about all that holiness and obedience stuff, and didn't mean any of that business about eternal punishment, then no, this website is not in any measure on a par with the "light of Jesus Christ."
  • Kate
    I just wanted to put in here that technically, humans ARE animals too. And no matter what your religion or political viewpoint, people can usually agree that suffering is a bad thing. But possibly not in the Dakota Voice.
  • Humans are more than animals. They have an eternal soul and are created in the image of God.

    And I don't believe in animal suffering, either. Like any good hunter, I believe in a clean kill if at all possible.
  • dfdouglas
    FROM YOUR OWN RADICAL CONSERVATIVE ALLIANCE:

    George W. Bush billed himself as a conservative in the mold of Ronald Reagan, but by any measure he’s betrayed the core principle of fiscal conservatism. He’s leaving President Barack Obama a massive national debt, out-of-control public spending, and the largest federal deficit in U.S. history.

    http://www.newsmax.com/index.html

    so who's deluded here,............ keep fighting for hatred, divisiveness, narrow minded interests, allow the dark forces to use you and you will not survive..........enlightenment is NOT based on material things..........it is a revolution in consciousness, every soul that has been forced to pander to the white right is now rising, words cannot stop us, you can join the rest of the world by OPENING YOUR HEART...........it is the only way you will survive........
  • Bush wasn't a conservative in most areas. And while he bears his share of blame for the debt, it was LIBERAL congressmen in both the Republican and Democrat parties who created this debt. If you remember anything from school, congress creates the spending bills and the president signs them into law--they originated with liberal congressmen, and Bush was complicit in their irresponsibility by signing them.

    Here at Dakota Voice, we are enlightened by by the only light in the universe--Jesus Christ. Our hearts and minds are open to his truth, and we attempt to take captive every thought that comes from darkness--including nut-job ideas that contend animals are on a par with human beings.
  • dfdouglas
    give it up Bob Ellis, your arguments don't hold the grain of sand they're based ......there too weak. The heyday of the white male tribe is over. You can't own the world any more, you can't strong hold politics any more, you can't force so called "religion' based on mis-construed biblical ideas any more. You are becoming a minority before your very eyes. You can try to spread hatred and divisiveness in the name of the bible but it won't work any more. Enlightenment is coming to the masses and when it comes you will have to the chance to open your heart and join us or go the way of the white slave owners...........
  • Yes, reason and sanity are far too weak. The Christian worldview that fostered the greatest, most prosperous nation in human history is far too weak. Enlightenment came to humanity and fostered an era of wealth and ease, so that even the poor have television sets, computers, cell phones, and so on.

    If liberal nut-jobs like this animal rights wacko ascend to full control, a dark age will come on this nation, and perhaps on this planet, probably worse than anything we've seen in a long, long time. And even you will probably be deep in the hurt locker when and if that happens; you're just too deluded to realize it.
  • Jennie
    You people are always calling people with compassion for the creatures of our planet, and animal advocates/activists, NUTS. If you stake your claims on the nutty, hateful Consumer for Freedom bunch, then you are a large NUT among the biggest NUT, CFF. Many people thought Martin Luther King and Lincoln were radicals because they wanted to stop obscene wrongs. Animal advocates only want animals to live in freedom from terror, pain and exploitation by human hand. As usual, you have the term "rights" for animals misconstrued and choose to do so - therefore you can holler about the Animal Rights Nuts. Its way past time for USA representatives to take a look at the betrayal of animals in our nation, e.g. Industrial animal production/transport/slaughter and the vile torture carried out by the REAL TERRORIST who purposely practice legalized animal abuse in institutional s0-called research labs - financed by our government and our tax dollars. Wake up and think for yourselves for once - let the animals have the life they deserve.
  • How does the reputation of the Consumers for Freedom, real or imagined, affect the reality and impact of what this animal rights nut Sunstein said? Does it alter what he said in the least?

    By the way, are you one of those animal rights nuts?
  • Jennie
    You are the one quoting CFF's current reporting on Sunstein. However, it does not alter the fact that untold numbers of animals are bred and sold purposely to the hellholes of research, wherein the exist in misery, terror, despair, pain and agonizing death, and that billions of animals are robbed of any natural life and their young, pumped full of antibiotics and steroid growth hormones for a quick piece of animal flesh, then transported in inhumane methods - at last slaughtered in the most brutal manner by a most likely illegal immigrant who, himself, is driven mad at the blood, screams and constant violence of our industrial killing factories. No, it doesn't alter anything Sunstein said....its CFF's mistaken entitlement that is disgusting - that animals are only things to do with as humans like, or for our benefit. The nuts are outside the animal movement, the ones who have convinced themselves that to intentionally abuse animals for any reason is ok, making life on this earth hideous and dangerous for animals.
  • No one is talking about the abuse of animals here, where they are sadistically tortured for no good reason.

    But Sunstein apparently is against hunting and even eating meat, period. And these sources show him saying it in his own word. No amount of "mistaken entitlement" or anything else from CFF can alter that.

    Sunstein is apparently an animal rights nut who thinks animals are on a par with human beings.
  • Jennie
    Perhaps you don't know what goes on in research labs, or in Animal Agribusiness - sadistic torture is routine, and sanctioned by our government, and you, obviously. Should we thank the Christian or Biblical doctrines for these abominations? Just so you are well fed, have your computer and TV - What a fantasy that provides a comfortable view for anyone who blindly stands on the twisted interpretations that allow you to collectively bring unnecessary suffering to animals - taken from words written by superstitious men in an illiterate primitive civilization. I repeat - Animal Rights means merely for them to live in freedom from pain, terror and exploitation by human beings. Is it too difficult to extend compassion to animals as well as to humans? Fortunately, we animal nuts can care about more than one thing at a time.
  • Actually I think things are very well.. America might finally start respecting the rights of other species. Friendly, intelligent, individuals from other species, and help eliminate some of the worst forms of specism.

    Take that from someone who supported McCain and only agrees with Obama on two major issues: Gay Marriage and Abortion.
  • In other words, someone who's pretty liberal, especially when it comes to life and morality.
  • You do know that the center for consumer freedom is just a front group funded by the tobacco and alcohol industries to make their products look "safe", right? Do a little research before believing their garbage: http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Cent...
  • Sourcewatch is a front group for the Center for Media and Democracy, which ActivistCash.com describes as "a counterculture public relations effort disguised as an independent media organization... it is essentially a two-person operation" run by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber.

    CMD has "progressive" bonafides dating back into the 80s and Rampton has made a career out of demonizing corporations and industries. He decries the PR efforts of industry, but praises the deception and manipulation of the masses by big-government entities that push the "progressive" agenda.

    ARPhilo, you have a career waiting for you at CMD! Deception and half-truths will be big for at least the next four years.
  • Check it out, friends. CCF exposed for what it is: http://www.bermanexposed.org/node/90
  • And I ask yet again: how does this change anything whatsoever that Sunstein said himself, from his own mouth?

    Are you next going to say that Sunstein himself is not a credible source?

    You guys are a real piece of work. ;-)
  • Did you bother reading the PDF posted and reading the context of the quotes? Here's the other half: Of course a legal ban on meat-eating would be extremely radical, and like prohibition, it would undoubtedly create black markets and have a set of bad, and huge, side-effects. But the principle seems clear: People should be much less inclined to eat meat if their refusal to do so would prevent significant suffering.

    I'm sure you can all agree that not eating suffering animals is a good thing. It's not an "animal rights extremist" perspective. It's a common sense perspective.

    But, I can already tell many of you are lacking common sense if you follow the CCF as a fact source. Have you seen this yet?
    http://current.com/items/89754418/head_of_cente...

    CCF is paid for my tobacco, alcohol, and other companies to take things out of context and protect their profits. Thanks for falling for the joke guys. I hope you will pull your heads out of the sand now.
  • ARPhilo, the cow on my plate isn't suffering. But he tastes pretty good.

    And as for your aspersions against the CCF, I'll ask the same thing I've asked of several animal rights wackos here: does anything about the CCF alter the veracity or impact of Sunstein's own comments?

    With his own mouth he has indicated he'd like to do away with hunting and eating meat altogether. What does the CCF's credibility have to do with what Sunstein himself has said? I think we both know the answer to that...but it does make for a nice diversion, doesn't it?
  • And that affects the accuracy or implications of Sunstein's published statements how?
  • Those who think hunting is cruel and unnecessary form their opinions on emotionalism rather than facts and conservationism. Deer, for instance, expand their population based upon the available food supply, which is practically unlimited in farming areas. Obviously, deer eventually die and thus the herd reaches equilibrium. How do deer die when they are not hunted? First, predation. Coyotes, wolves and mountain lions seek out the young, the weak and the old and feed on them. These are the lucky ones that only have to suffer a few hours before death comes. Next, cold and starvation. The food supply of the summer and fall is all gone by the time the snow and ice come and the now-expanded herd hasn't enough food for all. Some will have to starve and freeze to death before being eaten by the scavengers. Next, automobiles. Tens of thousands of deer are struck by cars and trucks each year with many humans killed and deer left on the side of the road to die of exposure, sometimes for days before dying.

    Anti-hunters seem to have an image of a scene from Bambi where the old grizzled and wise buck dies quietly with all of his little animal friends nearby to comfort him in his last hours. Yeah, right! That old buck would have been ripped apart by coyotes long before when he had shown the first signs of faltering.

    Hunters perform a humane and necessary function in the modern world. Certain animals must be culled to allow a healthy and sustainable population. Having dispatched more than a few deer in my life I can say with some authority that a well-placed bullet saves that and other deer the certain agony of a "natural" death. Besides, it's some good eatin'!
  • Joe
    Actually, this man is right almost entirely. I am a strong supporter both of unborn human rights and animal rights.

    Why would you want to support the continuation of virtually unlimited violence and cruelty toward animals?

    We human beings are natural raw fruit eating primates. Even if we required a small amount of raw meat (from small animals that primates MIGHT be able to catch and kill in a state of nature, only using our fangs and claws, such as they are) there is NO argument in favor of a vast and inhumanly brutal slave sytem for large herd animals such as cattle, animals who cannot be a natural part of any primate's diet.

    All or virtually all violence against animals is biologically unnecessary and therefore morally indefensible. Our arrogant and immoral species believes wrongly that it can do whatever it wants with other life forms and destroy their lives at will by the trillions throughout history. This is fundamentally immoral and needs to change.

    When supporting unlimited violence against helpless innocent living beings (animals) you place yourself on the same side as those who support unlimited violence against unborn children or those who believe the government has a right to commit unlimited military violence against other human beings.

    All higher animals have rights which we are bound to respect. It is only the weaknesses of human nature which prevent us from seeing this.
  • As our Declaration recognizes, human beings are endowed with rights by our Creator.

    That same Creator makes it clear that he does not endow animals with those same rights, and has approved the use of animals for food, clothing, etc.

    If animals do not get rights from God, from whom do they get them?
  • dfdouglas
    I think Cass Sunstein is a wonderful choice to represent the "New Change that is Coming to America". Yes, there are some that are afraid of change and will go kicking, screaming and fighting all the way, same as those darn slave owners but in the end the slaves, the tortured and beaten will win. The end of the stronghold of the male white tribe is coming.........
  • Chuck W.
    Good - the radical fringe hunting advocates would gladly kill, gut, skin, and eat their own mothers to keep their "right" to the "sport" of hunting.
  • Pam
    Responsible business leaders are coming to the conclusion that profit-margins are not the be-all and end-all. Many are changing-- if not their views on animals, the environment, and human rights around the world---- at least their policies and actions in those areas. After all, it's not in the interest of business to alienate customers who are becoming more and more concerned over the kind of cruel disregard for others that permeates industry focussed only on bottom-lines.

    If Obama can appoint good people like Sunstein to offset the damage done by the Bush Administration's catering to industry and lobbyists, and push business --for whatever reason -- to change its abusive ways, then more power to him -- maybe there's hope for us all yet!
  • Larry
    Be sure of what you believe. Wars will be fought over this new Global Warming religion.

    Lar.
  • dfdouglas
    they're already being fought and the light is winning..........
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