PETA - We told you so!

[Guest Rob Ward]

Alan,

 

I would indeed like to be a member, could you give me some details?

 

Regards

 

Rob

[Guest waterman1013]

Rob

 

Click on the link to the left SACG, print off the application and get it in the post.

 

Mike

[Guest Dave Pugh]

The extreme views of PETA and their forthcoming activities are finally waking up the complacent majority to the very real threat that angling faces. It's about time.

 

And I detect the belated, distant glimmer of realisation that our fate is inextricably linked with that of foxhunting. Whether you personally support it or not is irrelevant, you should support the right of those who chose to hunt foxes to do so, it is exactly the same right that we have to hunt fish.

 

One odd note, MPs voted according to their consciences on fox hunting, it is a shame they do not think that we are grown-ups perfectly capable of exercising our own consciences.

[Guest dug6]

Thats an interesting one about MP's consciences Dave i'll use that in my letter writing.

Funny,I didn't think MP's had a conscience.

[Guest Dave Pugh]

There was no party whip imposed so MPs voted according to their personal feelings. Although the anti-hunting sentiment is strongest in the Labour party there were plenty of Conservatives that voted for a ban.

 

There are reasons why the vote was unwhipped, Labour gained a large chunk of its majority last time in rural seats, simply because of widespread disaffection with the Tories, a vote against fox-hunting is a vote-loser for Labour so they call it a "free vote" knowing that only a handful of Laour MPs will vote against it, they move a little nearer to their idealogical goal without associating themselves directly with a policy that has frightening long-term implications for our freedom.

 

So we are disenfranchised because no political party will defend the right to hunt or fish. I am, by nature and background, a socialist of sorts, but now there is a comparitively left-wing government in power that is ready to make dangerous concessions about our liberty to a vociferous (and well-funded) minority. Who can we vote for that will defend us?

 

I joined the Countryside Alliance last year, they are the only organisation that will defend all field sports. Sadly they have made a complete mess of defending fox-hunting. Will anglers do any better when it is our turn? There is one thing we could do that might make a few MPs think again - join the Countryside Alliance on their Liberty nd Livelihood march on Sunday 18th March, carry a placard with your fishing club's name on it. If it gets seen on the TV you will frighten a few MPs and wake up the other members of your club to the threat they face. There are no half-way positions on this issue, you either give a damn or you don't. Of course, there is another option - you could just pretend that it is someone else's problem and hope that enough of them turn out to save you the bother.

 

I feel very strongly on this issue, it's not just angling, but the frightening way that everyone feels that they are qualified to make statements on subjects of which they have no personal experience. How many MPs have attended a hunt? How many PETA supporters have been fishing? If you don't play the game you shouldn't make the rules.

[Guest Newt]

Originally posted by Nobrott:

Hunting is a peculiarly British institution with few participants on a global scale.

 

Say what??? Not meaning to flame but you really should get out of Europe more often. I think you will find that most countries with significant amounts of open, public land have hunting unless they are a dictatorship where guns are banned except for military and police. North America, Africa, former USSR, large parts of China, etc.

[Guest Nightwing]

What Newt said!

There are over 2,000,000 hunters in Michigan(my home state) alone, and most of US(I stress the us) are fisherman also. That is just one state. Where did anyone get the idea that hunting was a "Brittish thing"?

Solidarity, both within the fishing, and the outdoor community in general is how we have protected our priveleges over here, and it is the only way you all will prevail over there. If they get your hunters, you are next on the chopping block.

[Guest waterman1013]

Hey Guys

 

I think our common language is getting in the way again. Hunting (British) in this context means with horses and hounds, chasing nice cuddly foxes over fences and fields. I think you guys are talking real hunting with guns and stuff in woods and forests. Oh that we could do the same.

 

We have all sorts of wild game that might benefit, moronic MPs, bunny huggers and PETA spring to mind.

 

Mike

[Guest DCB]

Careful out there.

I think I'm right in saying that in Europe hunting includes shooting and fishing.

One other area we should monitor in case some crap that effects our sport sneaks in under the guise of 'hunting'.

[Guest dug6]

Dave Pugh- I thought the CA were doing a pretty good job with the defence of hunting especially when you consider that they're up against the RSPCA and two thirds of the house of commons. The great british public, on the whole don't give a stuff about hunting, they think, and rightly so in my opinion, that there are many more important agendas that MP's could busy themselves with.

 

Nightwing-Yes solidarity is the way forward, the problem is the fishing fraternity is split over this, some think we should side with the hunters/shooters, others think anglers should go it alone.Hmmmm.