Well, it's official. An ugly and selfish end to four years of hard work by hunters, anglers, and our conservation groups. If you aren't pissed off about this, then I'm not sure what it would take to raise your ire.
http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/hunting-fishing-bill-dies-sportsman-bill-108763.html
These people need asshats of the largest size possible. Both sides. 3XL is probably too small.
To see them use our issues, on a bill that has so much support as it was crafted, for the sole purpose of posturing for elections shows you that they care nothing of hunters and anglers. We are taken for granted, used for a stepping stone to the next rung on the ladder of political games.
In some respects, it is Cruz and his blowhard "Yes men" who have me even more PO'd. They knew that littering this bill with amendments would kill it. And, that is what they wanted, as a few D's might be able to show some progress on something important to their constituents, as could some R's.
And the reason that ticks me off more is this. I don't have much expectation that Reid and most his urban pals are going to worry about my cause. Yet, Cruz and the Tea Baggers claim to be champions of our issues because we own lots of guns and are mostly right of center. They take for granted that hunters we will stand in line "for the brand."
This bill, one so important to those Cruz will claim he represents, was essentially killed by him and his pals for the sole purpose of his position in the Senate leadership after the November election and his goal for the 2016 Presidency. If that isn't proof that their political ambitions are more important than the lip service they provide hunters and anglers, then I am not sure what more will show it.
Imagine letting a clean bill go up for vote. It would have passed with flying colors. Anyone voting against it would have some 'splaining to do back home. But, that would be too much of a positive outcome and it would have been a political opportunity that was squandered; something just too tempting for those with huge political dreams.
I'm tired of being taken for granted. I'm tired of seeing hunters blindly give these jerkwads a free pass, especially the snakes who show up at hunting/shooting trade shows, blowing smoke of what good guys they are and how they will represent us, only ro go and pull this crap.
Eff that. If some want to "stand in line" and behave like good little political pawns, they can go right ahead and sign up. I'm not standing in line and I'm not going to behave.
If hunters don't wake up and start lambasting the Cruz's of the world, the same as we like to hammer Reid, then we are going to get what we deserve; a political railroad job like we have never seen.
And with that will go a 125 year conservation legacy that was handed to us; a legacy that we let fall apart because we were "riding for the brand."
My brand is hunting, fishing, and conservation. I have no use for R or D, Liberal or Conservative. Any hunters and anglers who want to ride for those brands of R or D, Lib/Con, can do so knowing they have screwed over the future for their children and grandchildren. No need to stop by my camp and share a fire if you are riding for one of those brands.
If Harry Reid, Ted Cruz, or any of those who use hunting and fishing issues for currency to buy political favors, think that I ride for their brand, they better brace for some bucking and kicking. To continue taking hunters and anglers for granted is no longer acceptable.
The entire lot needs an ass kicking of the highest degree and the sooner hunters and anglers start taking names and laying the political boot to most of them, the better off we will be.
