Sen. Bob Menendez intros CECIL Act to restrict big-game hunting

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Sen. Bob Menendez has introduced legislation to curb trophy hunting of endangered and threatened species after the demise of Cecil, an African lion whose death at the hands of an American hunter touched off a social media firestorm.

The Conserving Ecosystems by Ceasing the Importation of Large Animal Trophies Act would extend restrictions on the import and export of animals that are being considered for inclusion under the Endangered Species Act. Currently, the restrictions apply only to animals already on the list.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had suggested the African lion be listed as “threatened” in October, but has yet to confirm the listing.

“Let’s not be cowardly lions when it comes to trophy killings,” said Menendez, a new Jersey Democrat. “Cecil’s death was a preventable tragedy that highlights the need to extend the protections of the Endangered Species Act. When we have enough concern about the future of a species to propose it for listing, we should not be killing it for sport.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/bob-menendez-cecil-lion-act-legislation-curb-hunting-africa-species-120857.html?hp=l2_4

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Question - how much time did they spend crafting the legislation, and how much time did they spend coming up with a name that spelled "CECIL"?

[ffr]

1. This is why I only vote for Democrats

You know they have your interests at heart. NMR

NO
MORE
REPUBLICANS

[calimary]

2. THIS ^^^^^^^^^^

[roguevalley]

9. ditto times a trillion. I live across from a guy who went to Africa last year and

went all over. He killed 37 animals. I could shoot him. I can't even look at him. Fuck him and trophy hunting.

[samsingh]

3. good

[left-of-center2012]

4. Just curious

What's going onvwith Sen. Menendez's legal problems? He was on C-SPAN yesterday badmouthing Obama.

[BlueEye]

8. He filed a motion to dismiss all three charges eleven days ago.

I don't suspect he'll get his way.

His views on Iran and Cuba are an embarrassment to the Democratic Party, to be honest.

[bluestateguy]

5. Can we have a senator introduce it who is not under indictment?

Bob Menendez should not be taken seriously in any way.

[FlatBaroque]

6. Thank you.

A corrupt SOB.

[DashOneBravo]

26. + 1

[onethatcares]

7. could we instead

have the senator introduce something about financial transaction taxes or expansion of Medicare or Social Security.

As much as I hate to say it, this shit drives me nucking futz.

I am a Democrat, I'm a farking LIBERAL FOR CHRISTS SAKE, but I'm tired of hearing about the fucking lion. I don't think luring him off the preserve and killing him was correct and proper, hell I don't think killing him at all was correct and proper but there are more important things in life than grandstanding on a cat trophy.

Offa my soap box now.

[roguevalley]

10. I can do two things at once. Personally, I applaud him.

[onethatcares]

11. don't get me wrong.

the guy, dentist, human whatever is a douchebag to have killed Cecil. I just think there are better things for the senator to promote. IMHO, I think he's feeding distractions.

[Flaxbee]

15. It always takes something outrageous and heartbreaking (and publicized) for Congress to act

I wish Cecil were still alive and the idiot dentist had no weapons, however, at least Cecil's death might actually lead to some reforms. I can hope.


Menendez can promote more than one thing at a time. Saving this planet's diversity and all of its life from the destruction of a single species (ours) is just as important as any other issue, if not more so. If we don't take care of this place and its diverse ecosystems, nothing else really is going to matter.

[MH1]

14. The loss of species is a real concern for all humanity,

even if some humans don't know it yet.

Lion populations are dwindling and if we don't act soon enough it will be too late, as it already is for so many species.

It is not about "just a lion".

It is not just a lion.

[onethatcares]

16. I agree, all the way

I tried to show that in my post. Apparently I failed. I apologize.

I do not want any of the magnificent creatures to be hunted nor do I want the forests to be clear cut.

It's my personal opinion the senator should have spoken out long before/

come on guys, give me a break, I"m not the wordsmith a lot of you are.

[red dog 1]

12. Kicked! .....Thanks for posting

And thank you too, Senator Menendez.

The Obama administration has a terrible record on saving endangered animal species, including the Gray Wolf.

Obama's Dept. of Agriculture routinely flies USDA planes with sharpshooters to shoot wolves who live in OUR national forests at a cost to the taxpayers of over $3,000 per wolf.

That American dentist who shot Cecil with a bow & arrow should be ashamed of himself, IMO.
(Cecil suffered for 2 days with that arrow in him until they finally shot him & cut off his head so the dentist could have it as a trophy)

[Flaxbee]

13. kicked. thanks for the news... this type of legislation is long overdue but

I'm glad someone has proposed it (though he'll be attacked by the NRA lunatics, no doubt).

[passiveporcupine]

17. thank you Bob Menendez!

Let's hope this passes.

[ejbr]

18. Not for nothing...

but what about a bill called Bi-partisan Legislation Against Cops Killing Senselessly (B.L.A.C.K.S.)? Just a thought...

[kwolf68]

21. Get started on that

The problem isn't a goddamn law to prevent police brutality, it's that they don't seem to ever face any accountability.

And if this issue isn't to your liking, find another thread that is more intune with what is important to you. There are TONS of threads involving blacks getting ambushed by the police. I don't go there and complain that thousands of children die of starvation every day, even though that may be "more important".

[ejbr]

24. i'l l do as I please, thank you...smooches!

and if lawmakers are going to get involved with the death of one lion and not the abuse of police power, then I reserve the right to call bullshit,.

[X_Digger]

19. Hrmm, depending on the text, this bill might do more than folks think.

Many animals are proposed for protection, then months or years later, science shows they're under no threat. PETA loves to browbeat folks into 'considering' species that they know damn well aren't threatened.

USF&WS are very good about CITES classifications and species identification (I've worked with them in the past importing tropical marine fish.)

Everything from bath sponges to common restaurant fish have been 'considered' recently.

[kwolf68]

22. Even if an animal isn't "under protection"

What possible reason would there be to import exotic species other than to feed the exotic pet industry and place local ecosystems in peril by bringing in feral creatures?

[X_Digger]

23. CITES also covers plants and byproducts as well. (Think furniture, musical instruments, fabrics..)

The nordic pine veneer in an ikea table may have a species that was 'under consideration' for CITES listing for many years.

[restorefreedom]

20. love it

my fear is that the wing nut house repups will not pass it. then again, the pressure is on.

[jberryhill]

25. Will this also cover hunting for girlfriends in the Dominican Republic?

[Warpy]

27. Only if you chop off their heads and skin them

to use as trophies.