Palin's Last Shot On Wolves & Ashley Judd; Congress Shoots Back

Several days have passed since Sarah Palin's final stop on the "Quitstock" Tour. I feel like I've awoken from a strange, surreal dream. I can't yet tell if it was real or not.

I listened closely to Palin's final speech as governor. Her classic "word salad" style is no less confusing in print. What Palin was supposed to read off the teleprompter--what was released as the transcript, and what she actually said, are two different things. AKM at The Mudflats blog transcribed the actual speech and deserves the "Golden Comma Award" for her efforts.

Palin's politicization of the troops was vulgar. Her right-wing claim to the second amendment was offensive. Her verbal spanking of the "media" was laughable-the same media she was so grateful for covering her "exit strategy" from the governorship of Alaska.

With such a large national audience, Palin didn't talk about the plethora of issues facing Alaska. Why would she? She has much bigger fish to fry. She decided to slam Ashley Judd instead. Yes, really.

I don't know Ashley Judd, but I like her. I know this must shock the Palinistas; they think I dislike Sarah because she's pretty. According to Palin, she is some sort of Hollywood pixie; a "delicate, tiny, very talented celebrity starlet." I don't judge Ms. Judd on her stunning appearance; but on the criteria of her politics...just like Palin.

"...you're going to see anti-hunting, anti-second amendment circuses from Hollywood and here's how they do it. They use these delicate, tiny, very talented celebrity starlets, they use Alaska as a fundraising tool for their anti-second amendment causes. Stand strong, and remind them patriots will protect our guaranteed, individual right to bear arms, and by the way, Hollywood needs to know, we eat, therefore we hunt."

The second amendment doesn't afford citizens the right to shoot wolves and bears out of airplanes. I know. Why the founding fathers didn't think of that is puzzling...oh, wait, the Wright Brothers weren't born yet. I don't remember Palin mentioning that the only president to suspend the right to bear arms was George W. Bush during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Sarah brought up a fight she lost. Ashley Judd's ads fighting Palin's policy on aerial hunting and the gassing of wolf pups still in their den, were effective. While governor, Palin dedicated $400,000 to fight against the citizen initiative to ban the practice. Her faith based science included bears in the aerial program. As incendiary as the topic is, bringing it up in her final speech was more telling. Mean-girl, high school, vindictive Palin had to get another shot across the bow of the SS Ashley Judd.

The late Charlton Heston, president of the NRA, was from Hollywood. The lionized President Reagan was from Hollywood.

As an Alaskan who has trapped and hunted, the aerial killing of animals is to hunting what hiring a hooker is to dating. A sure thing, with no work. No wonder it appealed to former governor Palin.

Just this week, Congressman George Miller and Senator Dianne Feinstein have introduced the Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act, federal legislation to end the controversial practice of using aircraft and gunmen to chase and kill wolves in Alaska. Please contact your legislators and tell them to support the PAW Act.

Follow Shannyn Moore on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shannynmoore

Comments

[BN2112]

At the risk of repeating the obvious that may have already been posted--SP says "We hunt because we eat".
1. Alaskans eat WOLVES!?!?!
2. Ever heard of farms, fruit, vegetables, grains?

[MadCroation]

You can't shoot a domesticated wolf ( Dog ) why should you be able to shoot a wild one?

[user168]

There's something worse than death. It is to live without humanity – “the fight for survival” of the whole, by the whole, and for the whole! The "brutal" part of aerial hunting leaving the dying wolf longing for her wolf pups in their den knowingly that she can no longer fulfill caring for them is that it demolishes humanity as a whole, in all of mind/heart/soul, leaving us wondering what "education" is for, after all.

Heroes die for humanity, and yes we eat for humanity. But why "aerial hunting and the gassing of wolf pups still in their den"? Are they "truly" in-Palin's-way that there's no room on earth for them?

I'd like to thank Mockley for posting this: "The balance of nature is a precarious thing and the entrance of man into the equation is a recipe for disaster."

[Virginia Plain]

A very good post, User168.

[miastella]

Why, why why are wolves. . . DOGS being shot at all? I thought they were endangered. Why would you shoot a dog? The picture with this article brought tears to my eyes. I have never understood the "sport" of killing animals. . . innocents for no reason. I'm Native American and we use what we need. How does dog taste? If they aren't eaten, then Why?

[kareemachan]

The powers that were in AK wanted more moose, caribou, and deer to hunt, so they decided to get rid of the wolves. We were supposed to take comfort in the fact that they were going to "scientifically" study the wolf paws they brought back as proof they were killed. They did similar things when I worked for the Forest Circus in Alaska in the 80's by doing "moose burns". This meant burning large areas of forest on the Kenai peninsula so the next season there would supposedly be lots of new growth for the moose to eat. Dumbest thing I ever saw.

[mockley]

Thanks for the post Shannyn.
The killing of wolves in any way is wrong. The balance of nature is a precarious thing and the entrance of man into the equation is a recipe for disaster.
For those of you interested in a better understanding of wolves, may I suggest picking up a copy of "Never Cry Wolf" by Farley Mowatt, who is a national treasure here in Canada. It was also made into a movie which remains faithful to the book.
I assure you will have a different perpective on these wonderful creatures.

[Virginia Plain]

Thank you, Mockley. For the post, and the book reference.

[meadow20]

I would place trapping in the "brutal" column right along with aerial gunning. Leghold traps inflict horrible injury especially in freezing weather. The animals struggle and struggle to get away pulling tendons, dislocating joints and breaking bones. If they're lucky they can chew off their own feet to escape. Of course they may die later from the wounds and stress. Snares, wire cables, that are set to slowly strangle an animal to death would be a crime if perpetrated on domestic animals. Foot snares are as bad if not worse than steel traps. Not only would you have to not be squeamish to trap, you would have to be heartless.

[mrskorn]

I agree. I tried to post a picture of a wolf caught in a snare (it was deleted) and it is not a pretty sight. How much work is setting a trap or a snare? Killing is killing no matter the method. However you do it, you have the advantage and you take the chance that the animal will suffer. I respect people's right to do it and am not saying they shouldn't, but I don't see why one way of killing is better than another .

[DCinFrance]

In the end, all killing is brutal. It is the end of life. And if there is one universal truth on this planet, it is the fight for survival. She's right about one thing in an indirect way. We kill to eat. There's no getting around it. Whether we coach it in terms like harvest or hunt, something must die so that we might live. It takes incredible effort to live other than how we have evolved...­be it vegetarian or suicide (stop...no­, its not at the same level--but they are both contrary to our evolved existence).

So, we are left to some notion of morality to killing; be it ourselves or other living things. Any slaughter house video will leave you squeamish.­..as well as the rest you suggest. Any true view of war will easily do the same. There is no honor in taking life, yet, we are left with little choice. At what point can I not be heartless?

[Virginia Plain]

Good post, DC.

I was faced with the same dilemna and became a vegan.

[kareemachan]

One of the most heart-wrenching moments I ever experienced having to do with trapping was when I lived in Alaska. I was getting some film developed in a photo store when a trapper came in to pick up a photo he had had enlarged to poster size. He proudly showed all of us a photo of a beautiful lynx with its foreleg mangled in a trap, and you could see that it knew it was going to die. Not that I had ever draped myself in furs before that, but after you couldn't have gotten me to touch a fur garment with a 10-foot pole.

[demimckingwoodtx]

People love their lives, whether it's rural, city or a little bit of both. There is no compromise with ppl's lives when it comes to taking care of their families and I can understand that, whether it is hunting, fishing, selling pelts, or raising vegetables. But I do not agree with aerial hunting in no form and wish that it is banned. Hunting just to hunt and to get game trophies is another no, no for me.

[denicci1977]

Disgusting of her to pull the troops in on her quitfest.

[user168]

What is a mother? What is a mother to her offspring? Which offspring does not deserve to have a mother? A mother is a mother, whether it is Palin's life or the wolf's life as a mother, sharing the same 'mother kindness' in a 'God' given universe. Ignoring the meaning of 'all babies need nature's (mother) love and care' is ignoring truth, taking "the meaning of life" to a falsehood.

[isadora]

Is Ashley Judd little or tiny? There is no question that she is talented, and the spots that she has done reflect intelligence. $aint $arah, it seems, has an intense problem substantiating much of what she says. What do the repubs care? The men in that party apparently want a hot babe who can fill their requirements as a moral example and 'ideal' family woman. There are repubwomen who openly adore her because "a woman in their (and God's) party has an important position." You guys keep $$ as your pinup babe (back to the good ole' days of WWII) and we dems will continue to have female representatives and other office holders who actually have substance and intelligence--and care about women. Best bumper sticker of the election: Pro Woman Anti Palin.

[normathumb]

Has Palin actually eaten wolf? Pretty close to eating dog, has she tried huskey or malamute?

[PatA]

Scott1560.­..you are so, so wrong..."T­hose who firmly believe in animal rights go after everyone, but most are easily exposed for playing politics, don't care abut life.."

What a twisted mind you have. I'm sorry for you. How dare you slander good people who step up for animal rights? Who are you to say what kind of person I am? You don't know me, thank God.....an­d you can't talk about me without my defending myself and others who work for animals.

I also work to take care of people.

What, sir, do you do?

[kareemachan]

Well, I guess when you can't think of a good argument, you just make overgenera­lizations, like scott.

[jazabelz]

Join "Defenders of Wildlife" and stop these barbaric acts once and for all!

[mrskorn]

If you read the bill, it is not outlawing ALL aerial killing, it is just eliminating the option for private citizens from hunting that way. The state can still use this method as population control. Why wouldn't the bill cover ALL aerial killing? I don't like it, but If the state is going to do it anyway, why does it matter if private citizens help them out? They could save the state money.

Here's the whole bill:

http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=c889c91f-5056-8059-765d-986a0b21aba0&Region_id=&Issue_id=

[Shannyn Moore - Huffpost Blogger]

The state can use it for emergency use; rabies, etc. The viagra deprived citizens have no business shooting from planes. Wolves run in a strait line...eas­y out of a plane.

I have snared wolves with my father. I lack a squeamish nature when it comes to hunting on the ground. Wounding an animal out of a plane with nowhere to land and "finish the job" is vulgar. What the country needs to know is Alaskans who are pro-hunting think she is guano crazy with her policy.

[Virginia Plain]

Shooting a wild animal from an airplane is not ok, but catching one in a snare, where it may suffer for many hours (even knawing at it's own limbs in an attempt to escape) is acceptable - for the non-squeamish.

Puzzled, squeamish, anti-hunting, vegan.

I eat, therefore I shop.

[mrskorn]

If it has to be done, who cares who does it.

Any hunter or trapper has an unfair advantage over animals and take the chance of wounding an animal and then needing to finish the job. And I don't think a snare or trapping is much better. Like the other poster said, often the animals die a slow death.

My friend lost her dog in a trap and it was traumatizing for her.

[demimckingwoodtx]

I lived in Alaska for over 15 years, and not a hunter myself I love it that that part of the country do subsistance killing in rural areas, and a lot of people do not understand this unless they would have the experience of flying into a town to shop for groceries and clothing. But to kill from a plane is cruel and unusual punishment and the practice should be stopped.

[demimckingwoodtx]

People that live in cities have not a clue of what it is to not have food in the long Alaska winters, and that some need to add on the their meals with a hunt.
So Squemish people, the phrase should be "We eat, therefore we hunt only what we eat".
If vegetarians like being respected for their meals, so do meat eaters, and to squirm is rude.

[OdinsEye]

"Wolves run in a strait line...eas­y out of a plane. "

Never shot from a moving aircraft, have you.

[pennygirl]

if animals were meant to be painfully slaughtere­d.. they are just "objects" like a tree...
then they wouldn't of been born with feelings

So to see them as nothing more than a moving "plant" .. is blocking their feelings/pain out of your mind

I actually like hunting.. for food.(I personally don't do it).. but not for sport. If someone kills an animal, quickly I hope, and packages it up and eats it .. good! I find that more humane than buying packaged meat from factory farms.

But this sport thing.. messed in the brain. Something is not connecting in there. Seeing something suffer is not "fun" and if it is to someone..t­hat is scary. Just another reason ms. palin creeps me out.

[zola77]

100% agree with your comments on there being something twisted in believing killing and/or maiming an animal to be a sport. Killing is about power, not competitive sports.

[Scott1560]

It is first and foremost about eating! All kills were celebrated by our ancestors, but that did not diminsh the reason for the kill. Not much different than getting a bonus w/our paycheck. You can celebrate, but the cash will probably go to bills.

I hunt and I defy you to tell me why there is any dif than you (if you eat meat) going to the grocery store for a pound of hamburger? Actually, if you know how it works, my kill is faster & cleaner, far more humane than a slaughterhouse killing. Why would you have a problem? Or is this an elitist thing where only designated hitmen can kill, provide my family w/food? And what suffering do you refer to? You really believe that a slaughterhous offers less suffering than a clean shot? Your experience in such matters or are we dealing w/pure emotion, that meat grows on trees?

[Scott1560]

And power is what puts each creature ahead in the food chain. You want humans to fall behind? Why?

Sorry, but I've never understood, could never comprehend why libs want us to fall back a step or two from the top of the chain? Would you prefer that lions be released into our neighborhoods, grabbing whatever food they can find? It really is a matter of eat or be eaten, the reason we have meat & fish departments at the local supermarket and why we kill creatures that destroy crops.

[Scott1560]

Competitive shooting consists of hitting paper, metal & clay targets. I'm not aware of using living creatures as targets. That wouldn't even make sense, would be absurd.

Let me guess.....­.You don't own a gun, have never gone hunting or shot in competition, yet you know more about it than those of us who have shot for many years. In my case, over 40 years and not a single bank robbery or murder on my rap sheet. Go figure?