photo by bobster1985
Yes, we get it. Palin is a tough chick. She’s just one of the guys. She’s a mother of five, a hardcore politician with a wide array of talents under her belt, and a youthful, Tina Fey-like appearance.
Pretty impressive. But even feminists, like ‘Vagina Monologues’ creator Eve Ensler, are steering clear. Now, I’m not going to preach my political views here. But I am going to explain why, as a vegan, you should fight against Palin’s savage methods.
photo by xoque
Let’s start with Palin’s father, the varmint hunter, who’s pickup truck, according to Newsweek, has a sticker that says “VEGETARIAN–OLD INDIAN WORD FOR BAD HUNTER.” Palin’s father also shot a grizzly bear, the skin of which is displayed proudly on Palin’s couch. Also in Newsweek is a photo of Palin holding the large sockeye salmon she caught. Now, one thing I must note is that she and her husband used to kill all of the animals they ate. If the only way people could get meat was by killing the animals themselves, I know there would be far more vegetarians in the world. But she clearly has no problem with this, which actually scares me even more. She loves to hunt. She enjoys watching animals suffer. And it’s quite clear that she kills animals, not just for food, but for sport. She kills far more animals than she could possibly consume.
photo by peupleloup
“She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip. She has shot hundreds of wolves from the air.” (Eve Ensler) Aerial hunting is a method of hunting from an airplane, which gives the hunter an unfair advantage over the animal (I mean, even more unfair than just using a weapon). In addition “animal rights activists call it inhumane, since airborne gunmen rarely get a clean (i.e., relatively painless) kill.” source This lifetime member of the NRA offered cash incentives for hunting wolves.
photo by dobak
According to journalist Glenn Hurowitz in his Huffington Post exposé on Palin, one of her first acts in office was to offer a $150 bounty for “private hunters [to] take a small plane and chase down wolf packs until they’re exhausted and can’t move” and then “shoot them from the air or land and execute them at point blank range” and then “strap the wolf to a plane, cut off the wolf’s left forearm, and bring it to the state Department of Fish and Game for their cash reward.” for more of this interesting CityBeat article go here.
This “hunting” includes allowing the Department of Wildlife Conservation to enter wolf dens and shoot wolf pups in the head. The reason she wants the wolves gone is because they prey on moose and caribou, animals which hunters like to kill for their own dinner. She claims it’s “wolf control”. New York Times Article.
photo by ucumari
Polar bears are clearly suffering the effects of global warming and are dying rapidly, yet Palin feels they should be taken off the endangered species list. Even if she does think global warming is a myth, can she deny the fact that this beautiful species is clearly approaching extinction? NWF article.
The polar bear should be removed from the endangered species list because its protected status will hamper drilling for oil and gas in Alaska, the state’s Republican Governor has demanded.
Sarah Palin is suing the Bush Administration over its decision last week to place the animal under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, claiming that climate models predicting the continued loss of sea ice – the main habitat of polar bears – are unreliable.
-Tim Reid, The Times
Her complete disregard for wildlife preservation is nothing short of frightening. In addition to polar bears, she wants beluga whales removed from the endangered species list. When asked about environmental issues, Palin said, “Having a clean record on environmental regulation is critical to getting ANWR open and maintaining our fisheries, mining, timber, and tourism industries.”source
In honor of unnecessary drilling, she is willing to risk the extinction of several species. She encourages people to eliminate wolves while elsewhere in the country people struggle to preserve the drastically diminishing wolf populations. Not to mention it’s cruel and unnecessary. PETA Article.
For the sake of the animals, for the sake of wildlife, and for the sake of humane practices, we cannot allow this woman any more power than she already posesses. We’ve come so far and have much more work left to do. We cannot afford go backwards.
Emily Rutherford Says:
Totally agree. Palin’s positions on certain issues are downright scary. Her viewpoints on the death penalty, the environment (drilling in a national wildlife preserve!), the Iraq war, and animal rights are disturbing.
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
Maria Rose Says:
You are so right. I find it very disturbing that this woman would be first up if John McCain wins. I am horrified that she has gotten such a positive reaction. Her disregard for life is disturbing. Veganism and animal issues aside I find her general perspective to be shockingly simplistic and naive.
September 26th, 2008 at 10:12 am
tim foxley Says:
I heard she eats puppies for breakfast!
LOL!
You guys need to get a clue.
September 27th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
McCant and Failin 08 Says:
Here’s a cool McCant and Failin 08 PDF file.
http://savefile.com/files/1797889
Enjoy.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Brian Says:
Aerial hunting is not just some cruel act created by cruel hunters. It is intended to protect caribou and moose from over populated bear and wolves. Caribou and moose are vital to the survival of native populations (who don’t have grocery stores and who’s short growing seasons make sustainable gardening impossible) and average hunters alike.
I don’t know Sarah, nor do I have a political reason to reason to say this, but as a hunter (read: not for sport) “40 caribou at a clip” is not only false, but blatantly so. The Alaska State website states (http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=hunting.40milecaribou)that the bag limit on caribou is 1! So, the Governor of the state violated the state law 39 times!
Alaska is a different life than the one that is generally offered in the lower 48. Do not judge, or attempt to smear someone from Alaska until you have at least made mention of this fact.
I am not a vegetarian, however I admire the commitment required to be such. Slants such as this, take away from this and even turn me off to this lifestyle.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
bwe2005 Says:
One of the most naive – uneducated – foolish and dangerous arguments I have ever seen!
Maybe you should take a long walk in the wilderness that you envision as some sort of paradise. Just google how many children are eaten by lions in those areas of the world where wildlife management is not practiced.
September 27th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
contrary1 Says:
I do agree she isn’t a good choice to be in line for the top job in the U.S.
Makes me really doubt McCain’s reasoning abilities.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Ric Says:
Yes it’s disturbing to read Palin’s background and I read also Barack’s background and it’s even more disturbing.
Don’t just read what the national media feed you. Research for yourself to get a fair information on each candidate to really know who they are.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Serena Says:
I completely agree with you Palin is a horrible possibility for Vice President. She obviously has no regard for animals or the opinion of the people. She also has no sense of moderation or cohabitation. It’s not necessarily about what she has done but more so the extent in which she has tried to do it.
September 27th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Ray The Money Man Says:
I am a vegetarian and I will be voting for McCain/Palin. I life in the west and sorry, there is a real world where cuddly little bears feed on deer just like Ms Palin does. Just because I don’t do it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Welcome to the jungle…..
September 27th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Brian Says:
Ray The Money Man says Welcome to the Jungle, as he ironically makes the case against a McCain/Palin presidency. Upton Sinclair’s book, The Jungle, detailed the excesses of that era’s Money Men, and the Jungle they had created for Cuddly Little Robber Barons to feed on Deer children working in sweatshops. My grandpa hunted squirrel because of his Great Depression memories, which is a far cry from shooting wolves from the air. Would you care to buy a distinction Ray?
September 27th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Emily Says:
Well said, Brian. And I must point out that to anyone that knows my views on veganism they know that I am well aware of and fully accepting of the fact that there are carnivorous creatures in the world (this is directed towards bwe2005 and Ray The Money Man). However humans are not designed to eat flesh, nor do we need to.
And to the other Brian from an earlier comment- I mentioned those details about aerial hunting in my post so please read the entire post before commenting. Also you say “Do not judge, or attempt to smear someone from Alaska…” you’re expecting people not to make judgements about the person running for V.P.? And if Alaska is so different from the lower 48, why should I feel comfortable with her running the lower 48? And to make a comment about this post turning you off from the vegetarian lifestyle is sad and childish. I read a similar comment on a post about Palin where the person said they were going to vote Democratic this election but just out of spite they were going to vote for McCain and Palin instead. Sounds idiotic doesn’t it? To let one post make or break your views on something?
Thanks to Tim Foxley for his insightful comment…
And to Ric, if you viewed any of my sources you’d know that I went far beyond reading just what “the national media” was feeding me.
I encourage readers of this post to click on the links I provide. They are informative and more elaborate than my one post is. And may also help explain a lot of what I talked about a little better.
Thanks to everyone that has been commenting. I had no doubt this post would stir up some controversy.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:11 am
abram Says:
Emily, I agree with you that Palin scares me, especially in regard to her savagery toward criminals and toward Russia. And I agree with you on almost every point but one: How can you say humans aren’t designed to eat flesh? I’m not disagreeing preemptively, but what do you mean? Obviously, we CAN get nutrients from other sources, but we have evolved to the point where we can get nutrients safely from meat as well as from plant sources. Morality aside, it appears that we can, indeed, eat flesh. As to hunting, I think that if you are going to eat meat, it is much better to kill the animal yourself. I do not mean to cause it any more pain than as little as possible, OR that we should kill more than we should eat, but would you say that the meat industry (chicken houses and slaughter houses) is more humane than a single hunter going out and killing food for him/herself and family? I don’t hunt, but I see little wrong with it if you are carnivorous already. But seriously, Palin is bloodthirsty and disgusting.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Emily Says:
Abram,
What I mean is that humans are not physiologically designed to eat meat. Here’s a little animated piece that examines the different traits in carnivores vs. herbivores and how it relates to the humans. http://www.happyvegetable.com/blog/carivore-vs-herbivore/
I do completely agree with you that hunting the animal you eat is much more humane than the horrors of mass slaughter and torture that take place in slaughterhouses, but the hunting I bring up here goes beyond killing for food and delves back into methods of mass slaughter, such as with aerial hunting packs of wolves and shooting wolf cubs in their dens. Here’s an interesting article on wolf control http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9801E7D7113EF937A25750C0A9629C8B63
September 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
abram Says:
Lol, that’s a cute video. But the point I was attempting, perhaps badly, to make is that we aren’t physiologically evolved to eat just meat, but nor are we physiologically evolved (by the way, I prefer “evolved” over “designed”) to eat just plants. We have, luckily, evolved to be more polyphagous–which means that we can survive in greater diversity of environments. We are omnivores, which leaves our consumption up to choice when both meat and plants are available. The fact that we can digest and catabolize meat is proof that we have evolved to be able to do so. But please allow me to reiterate that I agree with you on everything except the physiology facet of your post. As well, it is better to be vegetarian in regarding energy levels of food, and water consumption of cows(for example) vs. corn or soy.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:16 am
eddie Says:
now i want to vote for her (and mccain) even more!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Mikkel Bue Says:
“She enjoys watching animals suffer.”
-How do you know this? Now I agree that she does not seem very sympathetic, but you have absolutely no basis for that claim. Obviously an outburst of unnecessary emotion. That is just stupid.
October 1st, 2008 at 12:18 am
ramsak Says:
I am an Alaskan resident, and i have to say that this is the biggest load of bull that i have ever heard. I am not a palin supporter, but “She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip.” implies that gov. Palin is spraying automatic weapons at heards of caribu. Get a clue people!!! In this state it is important for the wolf populations to be regulated or the moose/caribu populations will be killed off and in native villages(where they actually need to hunt to eat) will have no way of surviving. Thats great that you don’t eat meat….more power to you! However, most of us “carnivores” respect the fact that you don’t eat meat. Maybe you should respect the fact that we do.
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:43 am
Emily Says:
To the nay-sayers of this post- not a single person has brought up taking polar bears and beluga whales off the endangered species list. Or the fact that she doesn’t believe in global warming. How do you guys feel about that?
And ramsak, a bumper sticker that says “VEGETARIAN-OLD INDIAN WORD FOR BAD HUNTER” does NOT lead me to believe that this family of “carnivores” has any respect for “herbivores”.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 am
Tiffany Says:
Why does every one have to be so extreme? The Polar Bears and Beluga Whale thing sucks, but I doubt that will actually go through. Anyways, I believe that it is far more respectable to eat the animals that you kill, global warming is bull and it doesn’t matter if you vote, the president is hand picked, I think that Bush is a clear example or this. I suggest focusing your energy on something more positive, your conscious will thank you for it.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
David Andrew Brault Says:
To Emily: First and foremost thank you for your site. i must say as a disabled vet, raised as a vegetarian in the 60s and 70s, that everyone has the right to “post” their beliefs. I know because i bled for you all to have this right. While i absolutely believe in animal rights, i am more concerned with the suffering of tens of thousands of children right here in the USA. Those that are abused and those that go to bed hungry every nite. I wish some of the passion i i have witnessed on this site was applied to them.
October 3rd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Danny Says:
David: It doesn’t have to be one or the other. It is actually possible to care about both starving kids and animal torture. Most of us do
October 4th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Pete Says:
I began reading this article with great interest, and then saw your comment that “she enjoys watching animals suffer”. What tripe.
I myself am a vegetarian, but I would never be so foolish as to claim that hunters *enjoy* inflicting suffering.
I will kill a spider if it’s in my shoe, but I get no pleasure from it.
And, as Brian pointed out, the claim about killing 40 caribou is just completely made up (either that or you are making some very serious accusations!).
To your point about her global-warming denial; exactly what does that have to do with being vegan (which is seemingly the point of your article)?
And, as Tiffany pointed out, the removal of Polar Bears and Beluga Whales from the endangered list is an extremely unlikely scenario. It sucks, but once again you need to keep this in perspective. It is not a reason to vote *against* her, because any educated person can tell what the outcome will actually be.
The sticker on her Dad’s car? I actually find it quite funny. It is not encouraging people to hunt, or to eat more meat, or anything like that. It is a little bit of amusing lexicology.
It would be nice to think that there was a little more research in your rant.
I hope Palin loses the election for entirely different reasons.
I am a gay male, raised in a very religious household, and her anti-gay views and extreme right-wing beliefs scare the crap out of me.
October 4th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Saetian Says:
People who like Palin for the reason that she is one of those hunters who helps to cull a certain number of animals for the sake of another species is full of themselves. Who is man to interfere with the flux and wane of the wild? It’s more or less for human benefit. Leave wildlife alone…it’ll perform eugenics BY ITSELF. Species die, species adapt. It’s been going on longer than man has walked the earth.
October 5th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Emily Says:
Thank you Saetian! Finally someone points that out. That is exactly what the article I linked to after “It’s cruel and unnecessary” says, but again, many people seem to be avoiding my links and sources and are still asking where I got my info, like Pete.
And as for the people who think I’ve got no basis for saying she ENJOYS watching animals suffer– she kills more animals than she could possibly consume and loves to hunt. “Sport hunting, where animals are not hunted for food or profit, but for the ENJOYMENT of the hunter, is subject to increasing criticism. To many, it is repugnant that people should ENJOY killing animals. Those opposed to sport hunting believe that we have no right to kill animals simply for our own ENJOYMENT. Sport hunting often revolves around the acquisition of a trophy.” http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/EnvFacts/facts/hunting.htm (But, again I must point out that I do feel hunting purely for sustenance–which does not include arial hunting– is much better than the millions of animals that are tortured in slaughterhouses every day) It’s a simple “if, then” scenario: if you enjoy hunting, then you enjoy watching animals suffer.
Here’s a video from the Defenders of Wildlife that backs my argument about aerial hunting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQobIUE1zTU
October 5th, 2008 at 7:07 am
Heather Says:
I’m a vegan and I fully agree with every word that you wrote. Sarah Palin and her complete disregard for environmental concerns and animal welfare are horrifying to me.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Anon A. Moose Says:
So what you are saying is that animals should have more of an advantage? I would not be opposed to hunting melee style. Sword combat with a wolf would be rather exhilarating, but I don’t know how painless of a kill it would be.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
FX Says:
You, Sir/Miss, are an outright blockhead. There is nothing wrong with killing animals(humans included). Laws were made up by animals(humans). Right and wrong were too. Universally there is no right and wrong. Life feeds on life. You make plants suffer, and you do not care(this is proven, plants suffer, they bruise, and they die, they are life). Just because a particular form of life has what… a face? A brain? What? What makes animals so fucking special? I personally find plant life much more interesting and beautiful than most animals. And I think you’ll burn in hell for destroying plants(j/k I’m atheist), harvesting it for slaughter, etc. Either choose to respect ALL life… or continue being a hypocrite. The Native Americans respected life. They would use all of an animal, and give thanks for it’s sacrifice, and comfort an animal as it dies. It’s not much… but eh, it’s the thought that counts.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Emily Says:
By this reasoning, you are saying it is ok to murder other humans. Who’s the hypocrite now? And thanks for calling me a blockhead. It’s not something I get called enough. It’s kind of funny. I agree eating plants can seem hypocritical because they live and breathe. But I don’t hear their screams and see their intelligent faces staring back at me. So I guess ultimately, by not eating meat I am doing one more good deed for the animal’s lives I spare, and for the planet I’m helping save. I don’t admit to being perfect. I am a living, breathing creature that also needs sustenance. I just try to keep the suffering I inflict to a minimum.
October 20th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
fffff Says:
I’m no Palin fan but fuck you hippies.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
fffff Says:
“I’m a vegan and I fully agree with every word that you wrote.”
Big surprise there. Such individuals.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Emily Says:
That’s new. Calling vegans hippies. Very original. And blatant jackassary is really original, too. I’m happy to discuss issues with people but making rudimentary statements like “fuck you hippies” is childish and boring.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
fffff Says:
So why are you replying to it? ahaha check and mate hippie
October 20th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
fffff Says:
In all seriousness, Palin’s position on animal rights is the least of our problems. Or at least–should be. For those with priorities, at least.
I’m sure you’re deeply absorbed in the image of a progressive liberal, but none of that matters as long as you’re a slave to morality. It’s getting harder and harder to tell the right from the left as the days go by, they’re all self-righteous twats.
October 20th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Emily Says:
Yes, but I write a vegan blog, not a political one. I write about things relevant to veganism. Though I do have political opinions and do care about the upcoming election, I don’t preach politics here.
October 20th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Blake XVX Says:
LoL listen to all you idiots
telling the person who published this site
etc..etc.
that she/he is wrong
and that Palin is doing nothing wrong
but so called “ANIMAL CONTROL”
are you fucking stupid?
What Palin is doing is completely retarded
and people like her are the reason why this earth is suffering as it is, and these animals are on the endangered species list in the first place.
Killing wolf packs because they make it more difficult for them to hunt moose is bullshit.
In the process of this, your going to wipe out the entire native wolf species of Alaska.
I don’t understand the joy or thrill someone would get from hunting an animal that are trying to live there life’s day to day in the NATURAL environment. Sorry but they were here first and we invaded on them..they didn’t invade on us, and humans using guns..what the fuck is that? How is a man made piece of machinery in any way fair to an un armed
animal trying to live it’s life?
The only reason why people get attacked
while they are out wandering about is because our civilizations have invaded the animals
natural living habitats..
fucking idiots >.<
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 am
rtl Says:
Emily, I am not a vegetarian even though I have considered becoming based solely on the health benefits. So, i have nothing against vegans or vegetarians. But i would like to say something concerning this- “a bumper sticker that says “VEGETARIAN-OLD INDIAN WORD FOR BAD HUNTER” does NOT lead me to believe that this family of “carnivores” has any respect for “herbivores”.” All i have to say about that is lighten up you stiff bitch. Its just a joke. Its not an attack on you or your ways. I believe “Carnivores” to be more respectful because they dont try to force their views on “herbivores”. Vegans and vegetarians are constantly trying to force their way of life upon us meat eating folks. And i dont find that respectful. And another point id like to make. The very animals you defend eat other animals and make them suffer. So obviously eating meat isnt such a bad thing since it occurs in nature.
April 14th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Seattle Pest Control Says:
Fantastic stuff as always. Keep it up.
July 28th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Thaddeus Groner Says:
Da mein Sofa schon ein bisschen auseinander fällt und überall Kratzer hat, würde ich mir gerne ein neues Sofa kaufen. Da meine Katze auch ganz gern mal Sofa missbraucht, sollte es aus einem guten Stoff sein, denn Leder fällt ja schon mal weg. Ich weiß leider nicht, welche Materialien besonders unempfindlich und robust sind, daher hoffe ich hier ein paar Empfehlungen zu bekommen.
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:53 am