Following the news that President Bush is fast-tracking the death penalty comes an equally disturbing announcement. Now, he's greasing the gallows for wild animals, by way of a new Presidential executive order that "facilitates hunting heritage and wildlife conservation opportunities." Section 2, point C spells out the grim program: "Manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in a manner that expands and enhances hunting opportunities, including through the use of hunting in wildlife management planning."
This is one of the most cynical orders to have been produced by our compassionate conservative President, who is making dark use of his remaining time in office. The country isn't lacking for hunting opportunities and wild animals can't take another hit. For the past eight years, Bush has waged war on the homeland through every department, agency, and bogus study his appointed buddies can come up with, gutting wildlife protections, unravelling environmental protections, and selling off our heritage (even wild horses!) to the lowest bidder. As Bush amps up mining, drilling, and grazing on public lands, wildlife that has endured for eons may be gone within this century. The situation is so dire that even environmental groups and hunting organizations have joined together in protest, each well aware that our heritage runs deeper than pulling a trigger.
While Bush was governor of Texas, convicted murderer Karla Faye Tucker asked him for a pardon. He declined the request. When Tucker Carlson asked him what happened in a profile for Talk Magazine, Bush mocked her plea in a bizarre and cruel imitation of someone pleading for her life. A little while later, we made him our President. Some say take heart, his term is almost over. The man who is deaf to cries of pain will soon be gone. But the new executive order tells us otherwise. President Bush is not just running out the clock, but doing an end-zone victory dance on our grave.
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