rssPredatory Practices
Thursday, September 11, 2008 at 9:44 am
- 100 Comments
The wolf is an intelligent, handsome creature and, for many visitors to Alaska, an integral part of the state’s wild appeal. Wolves live in complex social structures, mate for life and don’t attack humans — it’s easy to see in them the family resemblance to mankind’s best friend.
That’s what makes it so painful to look at the video of an aerial wolfhunt in Alaska that has been circulating since Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was nominated as Sen. John McCain’s running mate on the Republican ticket.
In a program begun by ex-Gov. Frank Murkowski, and intensified by Palin, Alaska has sponsored the aerial hunting of more than 800 wolves since 2002 — out of a state population of perhaps 9,000. Pilots chase the wolves through the deep snow, sometimes for miles, until the exhausted animals have slowed enough to be blown away with shotguns. Then the plane lands and finishes the job, unless the wounded wolf has managed to crawl into the deep woods to bleed to death in solitude.
Palin, who won office with the support of powerful hunting groups, has intensified the “cull.” She pushed to offer a bounty to hunters who brought in a left wolf paw (lopped off with a chain saw) and extended the kill order to grizzly and black bears — including sows and their cubs. Before a state court ruled the practice illegal, she offered a bounty of $150 for every slain wolf.
Hunting groups support the program, arguing that it increases the availability of game for poor Alaskans, and the sporting chances of hunters like Sarah and Todd Palin themselves, who have their sights set on moose. But wildlife viewing brings far more tourist dollars to the state, where only 14 percent of the population hunts.
Grey wolf (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services)
As John Toppenberg of the Alaskan Wildlife Alliance puts it, the 60,000 square miles where the cull takes place are mainly used by “fat-ass trophy hunters on all-terrain vehicles, not Native peoples who need them for subsistence, with rare exceptions.”
Critics say Palin has shown a strong bias for hunters. Her staff recently wrote a statute that would permit her hand-picked Board of Game, whose seven members all favor killing predators, to operate without written guidelines. Another bill, currently undergoing legal review, would prohibit Alaskans from putting pro-wildlife propositions on the ballot, by declaring wildlife a “state asset” whose fate can be determined only by the state .
To fight a ballot measure against the hunt, Palin’s government spent $400,000 to produce a report countering arguments that the hunt is inhumane and scientifically dubious. Meanwhile, 174 members of the American Society of Mammalogists wrote to Palin, unsuccessfully, to ask her to reevaluate the science.
In 1996 and 2000, Alaskans voted in favor of ballot initiatives to end the aerial hunt. This time, Lt. Governor Sean Parnell put the measure on the primary ballot, ensuring that Republicans — who were turning out in larger-then-usual numbers to vote on their scandal-ridden congressman and senator — would make up the bulk of the voters.
In the Aug. 26 primary, the measure to end aerial predator hunting failed winning only 44 percent of the vote. Parnell’s special assistant, Jason Hooley, said the state was obliged by new statutory language to put the measure on the primary ballot.
Many hunters oppose the aerial kills as cruel and unfair. Interestingly, the stomach-churning film that is circulating on YouTube (it was produced by Defenders of Wildlife), in fact depicts government hunters shooting wolves with tranquilizer darts, in order to study them. “The reality is much more gruesome,” says Toppenberg. “They get hit with buckshot, it goes right through and their blood splatters all over the snow.”
The hunts often take out alpha males, leaving younger animals that don’t know where to make dens or find ungulates at certain times of the year. “Then you have them going into rural villages and eating dogs,” Toppenberg said. “You’re creating wolf problems rather than solving them.”
The program was disturbing enough to have provoked Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) last year to introduce legislation designed to curtail predator-control programs, except as a last resort. Palin denounced the bill, applauding her own programs as “widely recognized for their excellence and effectiveness.”
But Steve Stringham, a wildlife biologist and author of six books about bears, says Alaska has never established what numbers of moose and caribou can be sustained by the environment. If they shoot too many wolves and bears, he noted, “the potential for overgrazing may be high.”
Stringham has lived closely with Alaskan wildlife. He spent the winter of 1972 in the Wrangell Mountains, 100 miles from the nearest grocer. Bagging a moose for eating was a matter of life and death. “In those situations you don’t have a great appreciation for wolves, until you bag your moose. Then you don’t mind the wolves so much.”
He has raised orphaned wolf pups, and had friendly wild wolves sit a few feet away from him. He’s also been out snowshoeing when packs of wolves surrounded him, a harrowing experience. “Part of you is saying to yourself, ‘There’s never been a reported case of wolves attacking and killing a human in North America.’ The other part of you is going, ‘Of course, this wouldn’t be a reported case either.’”
“But trophy hunters were a bigger problem. Before I got my moose I felt like shooting the damn trophy hunters out of the air. “
I reached wildlife biologist Vic Van Ballenberghe on his cellphone in vast Denali National Park, where he’s spent parts of the past 28 years observing moose. Van Ballenberghe is sickened by the atavistic hunting of predators from airplanes, but he’s also worried that willy-nilly wolf slaughter will hurt the moose and caribou.
When moose and caribou get too numerous and overbrowse, the plants don’t grow as well and the resulting food shortage can weaken the animals, leading to disease outbreaks. In the 1970s and ’80s, the slaughter of wolves in the Tanana Flats area, south of Fairbanks, led the moose population to explode from about 2,800 to the current level of 17,000. The moose in that area are sick, Van Ballenberghe said. “We’re waiting for a bad winter and that population will crash.”
The current predator-control program reminds Van Ballenberghe of the 1930s, when Alaskans shot, poisoned and ran down as many wolves and bears as they could. “Blasting wolves from an airplane is not something most people think is a good practice,” he says. “ You can call it anything you want but it’s a pretty ugly business.”
And there’s no convincing evidence that moose or caribou populations are particularly low in most of the area where the hunt is taking place. “Hunters always say there’s not enough game,” said Van Ballenberghe. “No matter how much there is, they always want more.”
In the recent campaign, hunting groups sent fliers to every voter in the state — warning that wolves would kill their dogs, threaten their kids and take food off the table. Some voters found the wording of the initiative confusing.
“We got more than a hundred calls from people who said they’d mistakenly voted the wrong way,” says Toppenberg. Hooley, Parnell’s spokesman, said the wording of the measure had been in place since 2005 and was well-reviewed by its proponents.
Palin’s dismal environmental record makes environmentalists cringe. She’s not convinced that global warming is man-made, sued to stop the listing of polar bears as an endangered species, and moved forward a mining plan that some believe threatens wildlife in Bristol Bay—her daughter’s namesake.
None of this seems to bug Alaskans overmuch. “We’ve got a lot of, ‘Kill them all, let God sort ‘em out’ mentality up here,” says Toppenberg, who was a cop in Colorado before moving to Alaska in the 1990s. “Hopefully, the lower 48 will become aware of the extremeness of Sara Palin’s positions. She’s for cut, kill and drill. Frankly, that’s not even good for tourism.”
100 Comments
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
If you always cheer for the underdog, your blood will run cold watching this video. They hunt from a plane and they take the genetic best. The cowards! The fat cowards!
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Just think. We could be replacing 'Cheney' style hunting with 'Palin' helicopters and shotguns.
Now that's what I call really scary.
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 8:22 pm
Only for humans. She does not give a rat's back side about the remainder of God's creatures.
She takes great pleasure in killing these defenseless animals. Life begins at conception, but ends when Palin decides to use her gun. Gee, she even takes pleasure and smiles while she is killing God's creations.
Republican For Obama
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Wow…
You'd certainly have to be a pathetic sort of human being to honestly sit in a plane on your fat lazy butt and run animals down to exhaustion. All I got from this was the fact that Palin should have herself run down by a plane, and see how much fun it is.
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
Don't wolves hunt the weak, sick, very young or very old. That leaves the strongest to strengthen the herd. Don't human hunters usually go after the “trophy” kill- the best, strongest, etc… which actually weaken the herd? They are much better caretakers of this world than we are. Here's something to keep in mind when we play “God” and decide that we are the species that really matter….
“If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.”
Comment posted September 11, 2008 @ 9:42 pm
Not all humans, just humans in utero. If you're out of the womb, you're fair game – Palin supports the death penalty. There is nothing about her that represents reason, logic or common sense.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 12:07 am
This is as the republican say a pattern of behavior that should seriously be looked at. She has murdered animals and now she wants to murder the rest of the children in America by getting into a war with Russia. Have we not lost enough of our young children for a lie. When will the right wing nazis stop this madness.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 12:32 am
What is the difference between chasing a wolf or a bear for it's fur with an airplane until it drops from exhaustion and then shooting it….
and walking up to baby seals and clubbing them for their fur?
And from there, we can argue abortion. No abortion until the child is born, but then it's OK to toss it in a Dumpster?
There is a moral disconnect in here somewhere.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 10:52 am
Talk about a “Wolf in Sheep's clothing” Palin is it.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Great story. You don't have to be an animal rights supporter to think hunting wolves from helicopters and planes is disgusting. Not to mention those rich trophy hunters bagging their moose.
Oh my god, America, are we really going to elect a cranky old man and his “cut, kill and drill” sidekick? It can't happen here, can it?
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 4:06 pm
I just watched the Video and my heart is just broken as I look at the beautiful picture of my wolves sitting on my wall in front of me. They are by far one of the most beautiful creatures on earth, and they bother nobody! If I could come face to face with Palin I think I'd take her out to the open land in Alaska, leave her there and then come back with a plane and hunt her down so she can see what these poor animals are faced with, and I'd put some of the fat asses that do the actually gunning right along side of her. I just cried and wanted to throw up after seeing the video, it's so very, very sad.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
I do know that I am going to print out this article and put them in as many mailboxes as I can in my city and point people to the video because seeing is far more effective than just reading about it, and then I'll pray to God that this woman doesn't getting anywhere near our White House, and with any luck at all she'll be replaced as Governor of Alaska with someone that actually has a heart and love for our All American Wolves. God Bless the Wolves and Bears of America!
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
why dont you let the press and tv in on this issue, let the entire country decide Palins fate, not all republicans are against animal rights, may be the independents and some republicans will go over to Obama. Shame on Sara Palin.
Comment posted September 12, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
Bald Eagles are predators too and they kill and eat salmon so I'm sure Sara supports killing them as well along with owls of course another predator that kills mice and list goes on and on. This woman is simply a common criminal when you factor in all the other skeletons in her closet.
Let's hope The National Enquirer comes out with the whole truth sooner rather than later as they do have proof on what they are reporting. Interesting reading on http://www.nationalenquirer.com with more coming in the near future.
Comment posted September 13, 2008 @ 2:13 am
Sarah Palin is a monster in hockey-mom clothing. The facts in this article MUST be brought to the awareness of as MANY potential voters as possible! The T.V. networks have,so far, done a half-assed job of exposing her extremism to the public, compared to some of the print media and several excellent web sites. Perhaps Ms. Huffington, as a public figure, could bring these horrifying facts about Sarah Palin to the attention of the television networks as well? She would be doing the American people a huge benefit if she did this!
Comment posted September 13, 2008 @ 3:46 am
I have been a member of Defenders of Wildlife for years now. We have watched and fought against Sarah Palin for her treatment of wolves and her gleeful approach toward killing them from airplanes, denning the pups (a practice of dragging pups from their den an shooting them), watched the belugas in the Cook Inlet go from 1300 to 350 (and yet she says the numbers are increasing, can she do math?). She is suing the Bush administration for listing the Polar bears on the ESA ( can there be a right of Bush?). I have watched everything on the news and Joy Behar was the only person to really talk about these things at any length. Please, someone, get this out to the public! I , for one, will be giving as much money as possible to get the add on the aerial gunning of wolves run over and over again. We, from Defenders know her well, and to us she is Satan! Cut, drill and kill! We call her the Killa from Wasilla.
Comment posted September 13, 2008 @ 9:31 am
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/campaign/signatu…
No one may read this but I am a animal lover and I believe that Palin is a danger to this country.. she has already been a danger of course to wildlife and environment. above is a link to sign a petition against shooting wolves.. maybe some folks here could check it out.
Comment posted September 13, 2008 @ 10:13 am
I hope her face gets burned off with acid or someone douses her in gas and lights a match.
This woman is a witch, and needs to be drowned in a vat of feces pronto.
Comment posted September 13, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Here's where to donate to get more Ads to run in swing states with a different video clip also
<a href=”https://secure.defenders.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&df_id=1547&1547.donation=form1&s_src=6JY08WDC4F&s_subsrc=6JY08WDC4F_EJI08D1web&JServSessionIdr012=4fnyb3qbp3.app20a”>https://secure.defenders.org/site/Donation2?idb…
Comment posted September 14, 2008 @ 2:21 am
She disgusts me to the point of vomiting!
Quite simple……….no compassion which in her position, could spell BIG TROUBLE for everyone living in the beautiful USA.
No compassion for animals whatsoever and without compassion and respect then she deserves none.
Seems strange she says she is PRO-LIFE, but it is fine to kill newborn pups and bear cubs?????
Confused?
I say…………throw her to the wolves, but they are such intellegent and gentle creatures that they would merely step over her. Perhaps they may just give her a good old spray instead!
She may as well be in the plane with HER gun in her hand, pulling the trigger.
She is behind the slaughter and pretends to care about the native peoples in Alaska, when in fact her only reasons are her own selfishness and devotion to her many friends at the Board of Game……which as stated truthfully in your editorial, are all hand picked and fellow hunters!
We are not all so stupid to fall for your falseness MS PALIN!
Comment posted September 14, 2008 @ 2:40 am
To add……would Palin explain how it is she is PRO-LIFE……but is in favour of the death penalty? Does this mean that its ok to kill once your born?
And to think she tries to portray such a 'christian thinking mind' when she is capable of allowing her friends to slaughter our wildlife and go out and do it herself also!!!! Im sure if we are speaking on religious terms, our god did not wish for people to hunt for SPORT or FUN.
Leave our wildlife alone as it is meant to be.
When you interfere the problems arise and our whole eco system is put at risk.
Why dont you just admit your real reasons for wanting our wolves and bears slaughterd……..instead of talking around the reality of your thinking?
You want them DEAD so you can go kill yourself more moose and caribou!
So you blow your figures out of proportion in an attempt to make it look like these animals numbers are decreasing.
I hate to inform you PALIN, but we really are not as stupid as you assume us to be!
Comment posted September 14, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
Lets make this LOUD! Tell everyone who will listen. We can stop her yet!
Comment posted September 14, 2008 @ 7:34 pm
I completely disagree with the aerial hunts that Palin, obviously, supports. Let wildlife regulate themselves and take the humans away from the equations. They were fine by themselves, before gunners tried to help by cowardly killing wolves out of the air. Some say that, “it is the only way to get to these wolves, by air.” Well, then why are they able to get to the moose and caribou by foot, if in indeed, is where the wolves are. As I said, it is a cowardly act that should be stopped!!
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 10:19 am
You know – And you wonder why there is Eco-terrorisim!
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Just another example of the Sarah Palin nobody seems to want to know about. “She's a woman, and that's good enough for me!” is the standard Palin-Right-or-Wrong rallying cry. It's pathetic.
I say, give the wolves helicopters and shotguns and let's see how they do against these heartless trophy hunters. Turnabout is fair play.
RFK said we get the government we deserve. Don't we deserve better than this?
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 5:45 pm
To Jennyjoo – Great question, and probably not a snowball's chance in hell of ever being answered, considering the way the McBush campaign keeps Palin on such a short leash. Obviously she's qualifice to run with the big dogs but not to undergo the same scrutiny. Hypocrisy, thy name is McCain.
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Unfortunately, while American voters pay constant lip service to the woes of negative campaigning, the truth is they eat it up like chocolates. They admire Palin for her “take no prisoners” attitude, even though her policies regarding this question, as well as education, science, religion and women's rights are anathema to virtually every “progressive” culture in the world. No wonder Europeans hold us in such contempt.
If we are unable to win with Barack, then there is no hope America will become, anytime in the forseeable future, anything even remotely resembling an enlightened, progressive society as our forefathers envisioned.
Drowning out the McCain/Palin inauguration ceremony will be the unmistakable sound of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and George Washington…spinning in their graves.
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 6:25 pm
SHE IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY. PRO LIFE SHE SAYS.. THAT A JOKE RIGHT? IF SHE IS PRO LIFE AND A RELIGIOUS PERSON A LIFE OF ANYTHING NO MATTER HOW SMALL IS IMPORTANT. SHE HUNTS TO KILL. NOT TO STAY ALIVE. SHE IS A POOR EXCUSE FOR A DECNT PERSON. SHE IS A HORROR. LIFE IS FILLED WITH EVIL AND THIS WOMAN IS THE MOST HIGH OF EVIL. LYING, MURDERING LOUSE.
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 6:41 pm
To acoustictherapy…….
no my questions remain unanswered of course! But WE know the real answers.
We know the real reasons for this unhumane slaughter and that is she DETESTS wolves as they are a threat to her and her hunting buddies!
They dont want the wolves killing her precious Caribou and Moose. Wake up Palin and smell the roses…..read up on Nature and Ecology and then perhaps when you inform yourself better, you will realise this world isnt all about 'YOU'.
I always assumed those with religious beliefs were more compassionate, but maybe you just live by your own rules and delete that feeling when it suits you to do so.
Cant quite understand why this ongoing abuse with aerial hunting is not all over the INTERNATIONAL MEDIA????
Would definately smear some blood on that otherwise 'sweet' and 'innocent' facade she attempts to fool others with.
Im just grateful I have some intellegence to be able to see the truth! As it seems the rest of you do also……..BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!
Comment posted September 15, 2008 @ 7:33 pm
Here are Sarah Palin's reactions to the Defenders of Wildlife ad:
http://whatissarahthinking.blogspot.com/2008/09…
Comment posted September 16, 2008 @ 10:13 am
The most high of evil? Think about what you are saying. Please, take a minute and think about what you are saying.
Thought enough yet?
I don't think you have. Please think some more.
Ok. Now listen up.
Evil is not killing 800 WOLVES in 6 years. WOLVES, WOLVES, WOLVES, WOLVES, WOLVES?
I will give you some examples of evil.
Evil- September 11, 2001.
Almost 3,000 people died going to work in New York and Washington D.C.
Evil- Bill Ayers.
Participated in the bombings of New York City Police Headquarters in 1970, of the Capitol building in 1971, and the Pentagon in 1972.
Yet, Mr. Obama calls Bill Ayers “respectable”.
Sarah Palin is not evil. She is a hunter. There is a big difference.
If hunting was illegal, it would be bad. But hunting is not illegal.
The left wing has no way of attacking any of Sarah Palin's actual record or stances on today's conflicts, so this is the kind of stuff you will see.
Wolf hunting will not be one of my main concerns when I vote in November.
McCain/Palin 2008
Comment posted September 16, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
View slideshow from Anti-Palin rally this Sunday in Anchorage, AK
go to:
http://bigshow.bigfolio.com/?s=000011662&t=0e6a…
Comment posted September 16, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
Why isn't hunting illegal? Do you think lobbyists have anything to do with that?
If a human being has the capacity to KILL a living creature, and this same human being claims to be a Christian, such a person is committing evil acts. It also speaks about CHARACTER (not that this is important to Republicans).
It's OK to murder wildlife (it's quite gruesome if you know anything about aerial hunting….) and it's OK to kill children in Iraq. Hmmm… How exactly is that Pro-life? That makes absolutely no sense. Think about it.
Do you own a dog? How would you feel if Palin chased your dog until it dropped from exhaustion and then she blew it away with her gun? Do you care at all? Do you feel a twinge in you CONSCIENCE?
Thought not.
I am NOT part of the “left wing” I'm a thinking person, an AMERICAN who has the courage to speak out against cruelty. You condone cruelty.
Blood will be on your hands if you vote McCain & Palin.
Anyway, this woman is not very intelligent. One of the first things she did after becoming Governor of Alaska was to INSTALL A TANNING BED. Look it up. It's a fact.
Brilliant. Think about it.
God Help You.
Comment posted September 17, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
Wow, I have a headache from reading that.
I have a couple of questions for you. Ready?
Here I go.
Do you use shampoo in your hair?
Do you eat Jello?
Do you eat meat?
Do you eat yogurt?
Do you own a dog? If yes, do you feed that dog?
Well genius, if you do any of these things, then in your own eyes, based on what you just told me, you are commiting a sin and an evil act. Now, do you feel a twinge in your conscience?
Now. I have another problem with your statement.
Since you seem to be the expert on aerial hunting “(it's quite gruesome if you know anything about aerial hunting….)”, which you probably have never even heard of until you seen the biased commercial, I would like to ask you and all of the other people who call these wolves “harmless” and “cute”.
Have you ever seen a pack of wolves attack a deer?
Oh man, sounds like the commercial, “they attack in the winter, when the deer have no where to hide.”
Predators and Prey is apart of our wildlife and hunting is apart of the culture in some parts of the great country I am so proud to call home, the USA. Blood will not be on my hands when I vote for McCain/Palin on November 4th.
Also, I find it extremely insulting that you would even begin to insult myself as well as our entire military by asking “and it's OK to kill children in Iraq?”. You are obviously uneducated on our military processes in Iraq if you think that we are murdering children in Iraq. Our military is in Iraq and is trying to make a free country out of Iraq and give these children a bright future. Please do not ever insult the military of our great country again.
Next, this woman is not intelligent? The governer of the state of Alaska, the Republican nominee for Vice President, and a extremely smart college graduate, is not intelligent? That is the most absurd statement I have ever heard. I do not agree with many of Mr. Obama's views, but he is in no way, shape or form, an unintelligent man. Both members of each ticket are highly intellignet individuals.
She installed a tanning bed? Okay, so what? Dwight Eisenhower (One of our great President's) installed a golf putting green right outside of the White House and did not receive any scrutiny.
God does help me and you every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day. Without God nothing is possible. I have a strong relationship with the Lord and appreciate everything He has blessed me with.
If you would like to hear about Mr. Obama's stance on the War from a Veteran, please view this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8
If you would like to hear about Mr. Obama's stance on the economy, please view this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM3Ls8NNc5Q
If you would like to view Joe Biden's and Bill Clinton's thought's on Mr. Obama, please view this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMYty1PgHEg
McCain/Palin 2008
Comment posted September 18, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
“Hopefully, the lower 48 will become aware of the extremeness of Sara Palin’s positions. She’s for cut, kill and drill. …”
I hope everyone who reads this will buzz it up to put it on top of yahoo news and send it around the country via email and forward it to local and national(cable) news outlets and demand to ask why the mainstream media has ignored this!
Comment posted September 18, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Well there you go….a typical non thinking idiot for McCain/Palin.
“If hunting was illegal it would be bad”? Interesting rationale. Slavery used to be legal. But something tells me you'd have the same opinion about that.
Ethical hunters condemn the practice. Might as well put them in cages and shoot them.
Grow a brain.
Comment posted September 18, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
Well hello to you too Linda.
Thanks for all of the nice words.
I felt like I was reading something a two year old would write.
Do you eat meat?
Do you think that the cows, pigs, chicken and the other meat you eat just lay down and say “Slaughter me!”. No, they are basically hunted. I love how everyone is so hypocritical on their stance with saving animals. Because the same people that are so concerned about these animals, go to their local deli and pick up a nice rotisserie chicken right after work.
Also, I find it very ignorant of you, to assume that I would support slavery. That is completely untrue and you should feel ashamed of yourself for even writing that. I am actually part Jamacian, and if slavery were legal, that would make me a slave. So think about what you are writing before you write.
I do think about who I support, and I understand that McCain/Palin is the only way our great country can be safe, and once again become a strong economic country.
I grew a brain a long time ago, and I use it.
Use YOUR brain, instead of listening to the liberal media.
Comment posted September 18, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
I am shocked and appauled that Sara Palin supports this type of brutality!
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Thank you Arthur, and to the others, for putting this story online. It's disturbing to say the least that an elected official advocates this brutal slaughter of wolves, their puppies and also of bears and their cubs. Just recently, I read about those 14 little wolf puppies that were pulled out of their dens and shot in the head; that is, after the wolf parents had been shot to death by aerial guns overhead in a plane. I mean this is unprecedented in modern history isn't it? – there are plenty of scientific facts to support the argument for wildlife management, but this is not management – this is sport slaughter. For me what makes it so sickening (that keeps me up at night really) is the fact these hunters chase these animals down in remote areas where these animals aren't bothering a thing – it is THEIR habitat, not ours after all. Defenders of Wildlife.org has the full story for those who care to educate themselves about this alarming practice. I have tried to get this information out to the biggest names in print, TV, etc. and Defenders is the ONLY source that cared enough to reply to my email begging for someone in the media, etc. to report on this story. For those who cannot see the ruthlessness in this practice, I pray for your soul because you surely don't have a heart.
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
I think it's YOU that should check their facts. We are not discussing wildlife management or hunting as a necessity to survive, we are talking about the ruthlessness of individuals who participate in and condone aerial animal kills. When you research this story enough to learn that 14 wolf puppies were pulled out of their dens and shot in the head (which is supposedly illegal) right after the 7 adult wolves had been shot (so now the argument is that it wouldn't be fair to the pups) it really makes one stop and think about what type of individual would go for this, I mean it's downright scary. They are elected officials after all, so we do have a right to know about Palin's stance on such matters so the public can make an informed voting decision. Contrary to yourself, MANY of us do care about these matters when making a decision on Nov. 4, 2008, even us right wingers.
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
I'm with you! Defenders is the ONLY source that has replyed back to my pleas for getting this story out to the masses. I will FOREVER support them. Where is Anderson Cooper, where is Ellen, where is Oprah – all these supposed animal lovers? I've written them all to no avail. Let's pass this on to as many people as we can by doing just what we are doing, posting on sites. Love and Peace fellow defender of the innocent.
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Very well said….you should work on the campagin. Agreed!
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Sarah Palin is not a “hunter.” She is a slaughterer, a mercenary and an animal abuser. She shoots the wolves for sport froma plane (talk about an unequal playing field!), then sells tourists the right to a photo, holding up the dead animal's foreleg, for $150.
She reminds me of the white settlers who came out West in the 1800's and mercilessly slaughtered virtually the entire bison population strictly for sport, leaving their carcasses to rot in the sun, to the anger and shame of the Native Americans, who killed only what they needed and utilized every part of the kill for food, crafts and shelter.
One can only wonder how she reconciles this brutality, along with her support of the death penalty and the Iraq War, with her claim to be “pro-life.” Apparently she's not “pro-Iraqui (or any other non-Christian, either, for all we know) life,” or “pro-criminal life,” and clearly she's not “pro-animal life,” so…um, what sort of life, exactly, is she “pro?”
It seems to me that “Thou shalt not kill” is pretty unambiguous. I'm no expert but I'm pretty sure that Sarah Palin, and her ilk, are definitely *not* what Jesus had in mind when he was laying down the rules for living a good Christian life!
As for the “left wing” (whatever that is) having “no way of attacking” Palin's record or policies…Jeez, man – what color is the sky in your world? The news is full of examples of the kind of person and politician Sarah Palin really is, and new outrages are being exposed daily.
Let's start with the obvious ones:
* She is gainst abortion in all cases. Period. Let the mother die – tough luck – or make her bear and rear the offspring of her rapist (or her abusing father/brother/uncle).
* She is a strict Creationist,believes. She believes it should be the main theory of human existence taught in school and considers “evolution” just another theory. She believes, and has said more than once, that dinosaurs roamed the earth 4000 years ago.
*She was for the Bridge to Nowhere and earmarks before she was against them (funny how the Republicans were okay using that against Kerry in '04. I guess what's good for the goose is *not* good for the gander).
*Believes global warming is not caused by human activites. What does cause it, Sarah? Sunspots? God hugging us tighter? Or is it those damned trees again (per Ronald Reagan) spewing out all that CO2?
*Hired friends and family to crucial state posts as governor, whether they were qualified or not, and summarily fired anyone who disagreed with her (this is well-documented).
*Attempted to intimidate the Alaska Attorney General into firing her ex-brother-in-law because, basically, he pissed her off. Can you spell T-R-O-O-P-E-R-G-A-T-E?
I'm sure I've left some out – there's so many to try and remember – but I'm counting on the good folks on this forum to fill in the blanks.
Comment posted September 19, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
You gave me one fact. Puppy wolves were killed. Ok. 3000 People were killed going to work on September 11, 2001. I am more worried about keeping the people of this country safe then keeping the 14 puppy wolves in Alaska safe. But, if you would rather not survive this war with crazy, radical terrorists, and let the wolves survive, vote for Mr. Obama with his history of experience and reform in the Senate (HAHA :). Again, the wolf population will not be a concern of mine when I vote in November. The economy, national security and many other things that are actually a factor in our everyday lives will be. You are not a right winger, so stop trying to impose on the readers of this blog that you are. Put this into perspective in its effect of our everyday lives and make the right choice in November.
P.S. AcousticTherapy, I do not have enough time to contemplate how erroneous and uninformed you are, so I am going to get a good night sleep, and try and get rid of this migrane your response gave me. Then tomorrow, I will read what you wrote again really early in the morning, take a couple of Advil and write my response. It is depressing that people think like you in this world. Have fun listening to recordings of whale songs while I am gone.
McCain/Palin 2008
Comment posted September 24, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
What impacts me the most about this article is that we need to pay attention to what our candidates for President and Vice President do/have done/can do about issues that we care about. Yes, we are in a financial crisis but let's not forget there are so many other issues at stake. Thank you for putting this out there. It makes sense for us to consider.
Comment posted September 25, 2008 @ 10:57 am
the culling of predators is a common and necessary practice in many states. and overpopulation is worse for many animal species than you might think. hunting or harvesting these animals is a more humane option.
Comment posted October 2, 2008 @ 5:40 pm
I agree with you to a point….yes over population is an issue for many animals. Here in Ohio it's deer. I just disagree about aerial hunting.
Comment posted October 15, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
First off, aerial hunting has significantly decreased the wolf population. At one time, let’s remember that wolves were on an endangered species list and were protected. With the rate that aerial hunting is going, the wolf population will once again decline. For one, I strongly agree with animal rights. If any of you have a problem with this, let’s throw you out in the snow and shoot you down from a plane, cut off your leg and see how you like it. There are more humane ways to keep populations in check.
RealTime- no one wants to hear your crap. Whatever you think, you think, but let us think what we would like. It sounds like one of your favorite topics would be the 9-11 attack. I barely remember that day and I wasn’t old enough to know the meaning of a terrorist attack, but looking back, it was a devastating day in America’s history. When you see the footage of it, and hear of the thousands of people that died, you feel horrible, wondering WHY it happened. Well, it turns out, some of us feel the same way about the wolves. To lose precious attributes of American wildlife is devastating, and the fact that it is through aerial hunting is even more retched.
I agreed with Obama a long time ago. Not only because of this, which in all honesty I didn’t hear about until perhaps two weeks ago (just shows you how much the US wants to keep us in the unknown), but because of McCain’s stance on the War on Terrorism and etc. I understand that pulling out immediately could possibly mean some unhappy people, but think of all the men that are stop-lossed. Ever watch that movie?
Think now.
Aerial hunting is a devastating blow to our natural wildlife and let’s not forget it.
Yes I eat meat and am not a vegetarian. I whole-heartedly admit to that.
I say—think what you want to think, but don’t force your opinions on other people.
Comment posted October 21, 2008 @ 2:47 pm
This is disgusting! This practice should be stopped!!!
p.s. I found Toppenberg's “fat-assed” comment inappropriate. I know many hunters who are buffed to the hilt and many fat people who are ardent animal rights defenders. Stick to the issue, he is no prize appearance wise himself!!!
Comment posted January 31, 2009 @ 5:38 pm
nice article! nice site. you're in my rss feed now ;-)
keep it up
Comment posted February 1, 2009 @ 3:49 am
Nice post. Have bookmarked your blog and will be sure to come back soon!
Comment posted March 24, 2009 @ 8:07 am
What a useful and great info !! Tq very much..
Cheers!
Comment posted May 21, 2009 @ 5:10 pm
All you people saying that this is beneficial for animal overpopulation are a bunch of idiots. You are using the same tired line to justify killing animals for the hell of it. If these so called hunters didn't hunt natural predators to begin with, we wouldn't have the problem of animal overpopulation that you you people speak about. Mother nature takes care of its own and she will balance things out. It is us humans who chronically upset the balance and now you want to talk about animal overpopulation? Open your eyes!
Comment posted May 22, 2009 @ 12:10 am
All you people saying that this is beneficial for animal overpopulation are a bunch of idiots. You are using the same tired line to justify killing animals for the hell of it. If these so called hunters didn't hunt natural predators to begin with, we wouldn't have the problem of animal overpopulation that you you people speak about. Mother nature takes care of its own and she will balance things out. It is us humans who chronically upset the balance and now you want to talk about animal overpopulation? Open your eyes!
Comment posted July 10, 2009 @ 3:29 am
Palin needs medical help,she's a fricking nut case.
Comment posted August 16, 2009 @ 11:10 am
Palin needs medical help,she's a fricking nut case.
Comment posted August 18, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
This unbelivalble practice must be sopped!!! …. who is the man to decide something about mather nature ……. thanks for the great work you are doing.
Pingback posted August 25, 2009 @ 4:08 am
[...] Predatory Practices | The Washington Independent washingtonindependent.com/5517/predatory-practices – view page – cached Gov. Sarah Palin’s predator abatement program doesn’t give the wolves a fighting chance; she tried to strip power from their defenders, too. — From the page [...]
Comment posted October 4, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Sarah palin is just cruel and heartless. She wouldn't like being hunted down in a plane, now would she?? That freak needs to be taught a lesson…. Very, very soon. And she is not a hunter, she is a murderer.
Comment posted October 4, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Look, Sarah Palin is not a hunter. She is just cruel and enjoys it. You act like wolves have no feeling, like there just there for sport. What these people are saying is that she is just being mean, Ok? Hunting IS a good thing. Hunting deer and caribou, moose and other plant eaters that is. Please, why don't YOU take a bit and think about it. Thought enough yet? I don't think you have. Ok, so listen up. I'll give YOU some REAL examples of evil. Do you have children? Sarah Palin once ordered that a wolf den be dug up and the pups shot in the head. Many had to be shot again. Wolves don't die the first time they are shot. And then when they do they die painfully. Sometimes when all they can do is lay there, the so called hunters come and do bad, horrible things to make them die. Now, I want you to think long and hard on that. You want to die peacefully don't you? Next time, before you coment on something about animal rights and you get all cocky and decide to start correcting everyone, stop and think, “What would I want if I were an animal?” Then maybe you'll think a little more before you take the humans side.
Comment posted October 4, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
I was replying to Realtime. Just so everyone knows.
Comment posted July 21, 2010 @ 9:24 am
i like the angle of your article ! wolves show their neck after a battle is given between 2 males. pay per head sportsbook I think this is dialog !
Comment posted July 22, 2010 @ 4:00 am
Great article written on my life, help, Thank you for your article, hope to become friends..David Heinemeier Hansson..thanks
Comment posted August 21, 2010 @ 6:19 am
the culling of predators is a common and necessary practice in many states. and overpopulation is worse for many animal species than you might think. hunting or harvesting these animals is a more humane option.
Comment posted August 23, 2010 @ 8:36 am
cheap LV handbags </div>
chanel handbags online</div>
Comment posted August 23, 2010 @ 8:38 am
wholesale new era caps</div>
handbags wholesale</div>
Comment posted August 27, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Good indeed. I don't want to miss this opportunity. Thanks for such information.
Comment posted September 17, 2010 @ 1:14 pm
In that unadorned sentence, Roosevelt summed up his highest purposes and his lasting accomplishments. The New Deal’s legacy was to give countless Americans, who until then had never had much of it, a strong sense of security. And with it, Roosevelt gave them a deeper sense of having a stake in their country and a bond with their countrymen.
Comment posted October 13, 2010 @ 6:22 am
The Democrats have to do two things. Put people to work, even if it means another WPA. Put people to
Comment posted December 10, 2010 @ 12:53 pm
The Epi Leather, shiny palladium hardware, rolled leather handles with ring attachments, and Louis Vuitton Canvas engraved padlock on the side of the bag make this handbag truly standout. Instantly, I fell in love with the balenciaga bags Speedy in black! It was gorgeous, sophisticated and I thought it would lovely in my collection. I absolutely loved the Speedy Cube, but due to the ultra high price I turned to the Epi collection for a more affordable take on a black louis vuitton belts handbag. At the moment, I have four different louis vuitton clutches in my collection going on a 5th in two weeks and I thought it was quite senseless to even think to getting lousi vuitton Speedy 30. So I change to search for a black Jimmy Choo clutches I came across the Louis Vuitton Leather Lockit and it was love at first sight! I have been eager to own a Louis Vuitton store Outlet in black for some time now. If the Catier bags doesnt interest you in black, it also is available in Cassis, Ivoire, and Red. My personal favorite is the black, and I just may add the Louis Vuitton discounts Epi Leather Lockit to my current wish collection. By the way, if you think the price is high, you can visit our online store to choose some Louis Vuitton multicolor for you. I change to search for MiuMiu tote I came across the Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag. Epi Leather Lockit and it was love at first sight! The Louis Vuitton Epi MiuMiu online have always been a favorite to me, and when I saw that the lockit came in Epi Leather also I was took. For some odd reason,cheap lv handbags sale, I have never taken notice of this particular lockit handbag before and I must say it is stunning.The features of this handbag are absolutely beautiful. Written by Louis Vuitton Trunk On Sale.
Comment posted December 29, 2010 @ 7:55 am
Sarah palin is just cruel and heartless. She wouldn’t like being hunted down in a plane, now would she?? That freak needs to be taught a lesson…. Very, very abercrombie polo soon. And she is not a hunter abercrombie polo , she is a murderer.
Comment posted December 29, 2010 @ 7:56 am
All you people saying that this is beneficial for animal overpopulation are a bunch of idiots. You are using the same tired line to justify killing animals for the hell of it. If these so called hunters didn’t hunt natural predators to begin with lacoste shirts , we wouldn’t have the problem of animal overpopulation that you you lacoste shirts people speak about. Mother nature takes care of its own and she will balance things out. It is us humans who chronically upset the balance lacoste shirts and now you want to talk about animal overpopulation? Open your eyes!
Comment posted March 24, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
extended the kill order to grizzly and black bears — including sows and their cubs. Before a state court ruled the practice illegal, she offered a bounty of $150 for every slain wolf.
Comment posted March 24, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
extended the kill order to grizzly and black bears — including sows and their cubs. Before a state court ruled the practice illegal, she offered a bounty of $150 for every slain wolf.
Trackback posted March 24, 2011 @ 5:15 pm
You have chek this website out….
Hey I found this web site to be really fascinating! Bookmarked!…
Comment posted April 9, 2011 @ 2:26 am
the lower 48 will become aware of the extremeness of Sara Palin’s positions
Trackback posted April 14, 2011 @ 2:19 am
Hey {this is a|this can be a|it is a} {real|actual} cool {website|web site}…
Hey I discovered this website to be actually fascinating! Bookmarked!…
Comment posted April 14, 2011 @ 11:32 am
His ascension will be short lived. Assuming a democratic president, he will be allowed to retire very quickly. He is not popular with the brass, and showing up your superiors, kissing ass to a criminal president will end your options moments after he is gone. A year at most.
Comment posted April 26, 2011 @ 7:36 am
Last week we started discussing the Breitling Avenger Seawolfluxury Breitling watches and its new facelift. The new Breitling Black Bird called the Breitling Bentley and it introduces for the 1st time its own 100% in-house Breitling Chrono Avenger movement.The Breitling Chrono Cockpit is available in four versions including steel, steel with a gold bezel, steel with a two tone Breitling Chrono Matic bezel, and all gold. Other features include diamond polished hands, square grid patterned zone, and quarter hour markers on the Breitling Super Ocean bezel.
Comment posted April 26, 2011 @ 7:36 am
Last week we started discussing the Breitling Avenger Seawolfluxury Breitling watches and its new facelift. The new Breitling Black Bird called the Breitling Bentley and it introduces for the 1st time its own 100% in-house Breitling Chrono Avenger movement.The Breitling Chrono Cockpit is available in four versions including steel, steel with a gold bezel, steel with a two tone Breitling Chrono Matic bezel, and all gold. Other features include diamond polished hands, square grid patterned zone, and quarter hour markers on the Breitling Super Ocean bezel.
Trackback posted April 29, 2011 @ 5:15 am
Hey {this is a|this can be a|it is a} {real|actual} cool {website|web site}…
Hey I discovered this web site to be actually attention-grabbing! Bookmarked!…
Comment posted July 5, 2011 @ 11:27 pm
sometimes for miles, until the exhausted animals have slowed enough to be blown away with shotguns.
Comment posted July 7, 2011 @ 12:43 am
Hunting groups support the program, arguing that it increases the availability of game for poor Alaskans, and the sporting chances of hunters like Sarah and Todd Palin themselves, who have their sights set on moose. But wildlife viewing brings far more tourist dollars to the state, where only 14 percent of the population hunts.
Comment posted July 16, 2011 @ 3:00 pm
That’s a cool collection of sharing tools. Thank you. I use “addthis” on my site. It looks pretty nice and is very customizable.
Comment posted July 23, 2011 @ 3:46 am
A very detailed introduction,thanks for sharing these useful information! Hope that you will continue doing nice article like this.
Comment posted August 6, 2011 @ 11:53 am
Resources like the one you mentioned here will be very useful to me! I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
