Vote against the Right to Hunt and Fish Admenment

On November 2, 2010 when we go to the polls to cast our vote for the next governor of Tennessee, U. S Representatives, State Senators and State Representatives, on that same ballot will be the opportunity to vote for an Amendment to the Tennessee Constitution guaranteeing our right to hunt and fish.

What? Yes, friends we are being asked to amend our noble and beautiful State Constitution which outlines the functions and responsibilities of State government and limits the scope of state government with a frivolous amendment to protect our right to hunt and fish.

The proposed amendment would add this language to the Constitution:

The citizens of this state shall have the personal right to hunt and fish, subject to reasonable regulations and restrictions prescribed by law. The recognition of this right does not abrogate any private or public property rights, nor does it limit the state’s power to regulate commercial activity. Traditional manners and means may be used to take non-threatened species.

Did you not know that the right to hunt and fish was was being threatened? Well it is not. However, unlike freedom of worship and the right to a trial by jury and the right to navigate the Mississippi, the right to hunt and fish is not specified. It is not guaranteed.

If that alarms you, neither is the right to operate a motor boat on the lakes of this great State, to drive a car, bird watch, eat fatty high calorie food, or watch football on TV in the State Constitutions. If we guaranteed all of our rights in the State Constitution it would be a very long document.

The argument for passing this amendment goes like this: The animal rights folks (PETA) are well funded and passionate about stopping hunting and fishing. If we stand by and do nothing, some day we may no longer have these rights.

OK, I think we can use the same arguments on any number of things. Some tree-hugging environmentalist, especially canoers and kayakers find motor boats offensive. Noisy motorboats disturb the calm quite enjoyment of nature and the wake of a motorboat can upset a canoe or kayak. If we stand by and do nothing, some day we may no longer have the right to motorboat.

A lot of concerned nutritionist and other food Nazis think the world would be better off if we banned all McDonalds and other fast food. If we stand by and do nothing, some day we may no longer have the right to eat at McDonalds.

Remember a few years ago when a report came out that said that more men commit spouse abuse during football playoffs? I think this was proven to be a phony "fact" but the argument was that all of that testosterone and adrenalin made men more violent. If we don't watch it, the feminazis will ban football. If we stand by and do nothing, some day we may no longer have the right to watch football.

This is nuts! My examples are as valid as the proposed amendment regarding hunting and fishing. This amendment was placed on the ballot by our state legislature, passing the house by a vote of 90-1 and the Senate unanimously. This does not mean the proposed amendment has merit; just that we have a bunch of gutless wimps in the legislature who will pander and give in to any pressure group if there is not an equally powerful pressure group on the other side.

In order for this amendment to pass it must get "yes" votes equal to 50% plus one of the number of votes cast in the election for Governor. So, not voting for this proposed amendment is the same as voting no. Please do not vote for this stupid, frivolous, unnecessary amendment.

Politician pay a lot of lip service to respecting the constitution. Respecting the constitution is not only a matter of not passing laws that conflict with the constitution but it is also not cluttering the constitution with meaningless provisions that more appropriately belong in memorializing resolutions.

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