War on hunting in Kansas? More ridiculous legislation

[proud2BlibKansan]

What God hath given, will PETA take away? Not in Kansas

TOPEKA | Is there a constitution-protected, God-given right to hunt, fish and trap?

There is in Nebraska and 15 other states, but Kansas and Missouri are not among them.

That would change in Kansas under a measure given first-round approval today by the Kansas House: A constitutional amendment that would guarantee the God-given right to hunt, fish and trap. If it gets a two-thirds vote today and the Senate acts later, then the resolution could go to Kansas voters in November.

Are these outdoor activities being threatened?

Rep. John Grange, an El Dorado Republican, said hunting and fishing are under attack by animal rights groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Are they rights given by God?

Well, lawmakers can point to a passage in the book of Genesis in which God gave man “dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all living things that move on the earth.”

I guess lawmakers are just doing the Lord's work.

http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/10819

[KansDem]

1. There might be a loophole here...

dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air and all living things that move on the earth.

Now, I'm not a lawyer or Biblical scholar, but it seems to me that if you kill something, that thing ceases to be a "living thing that moves." Therefore, you can't have dominion over that which you kill.

Also, "hunting" itself isn't "killing." I mean, it might imply it, but I could go out and "hunt" for "living things that move" and once I found them, I could say "Wow, look at that 'living thing that moves'" and be done with it. I don't have to kill them.

It seems Kansas lawmakers haven't really thought this one through, which doesn't surprise me.

Oh, and incidentally, in spite of my DU name, I'm really a "transplanted Californian."

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. You should write your rep and tell him that

:)

[JDPriestly]

3. Hunting deer thins the herds. It is a good thing.

And, sorry, animal activists, much as I love animals, I doubt that Americans would put up with cows in the streets -- or breed or feed them if they were not good for milk and meat. Same with chickens. Chickens roam free in some parts of Hawaii (on Kauai), but generally allowing those types of animals to roam free in urban areas is not a good idea. And people will not take care of very many of them just because they make nice pets. Exotic birds, dogs, cats, even rabbits and white mice make better pets. Hunting and raising animals for meat are fundamental traditions in our society.

In some areas of southern Ohio, there are too many deer, and they are regularly killed on the highways.

[maui9002]

4. Not really the issue

I doubt there is a legitimate threat to prohibit hunting and fishing in Kansas. It seems to me that this is another example of a state legislature making a political statement--and these types of measures often get traction because they evoke an emotional response. "What, those crazies at PETA want to take away our god given right to hunt and fish? Well, they can only after they pry this rifle (fly fishing rod) out of my cold dead hands!" In Arizona, the legislature is considering a bill that would require public schools to accept students' personal religious viewpoints as answers to tests or assignments. Despite arguments by the sponsor of the bill (a Republican), this is not a big issue in Arizona and does not require legislation.