On 4/5/2012 I wrote to Rep. Mark Amodei in opposition laying out my reasoning why he should OPPOSE passage of H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012:
Dear Rep. Mark Amodei:
I OPPOSE PASSAGE of H.R. 4089, the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012. This bill would ensure the continued lead poisoning of bald eagles, condors, loons, swans and other wildlife. The misguided and purported “Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012″ would prevent the EPA from enforcing federal regulations intended to protect wildlife and people from preventable lead poisoning. The NRA claims that removing toxic hunting ammunition is “extreme” and somehow anti-hunting. What’s so "extreme" about insisting that bald eagles not starve to death because their digestive system has been shut down by lead poisoning? There’s no reason for this preventable wildlife epidemic to continue. There are plenty of lead-free, nontoxic bullets available on the market today in all 50 states. What’s needed now is a nationwide shift away from these toxic ammunition. I urge you to vote NO when this bill comes up for a vote.
Note that I “OPPOSE” passage to HR 4089. I subsequently wrote another email to Rep. Amodei regarding the ambiguity within this bill and whether hunters, because of that ambiguity, would be able to trophy hunt in our national parks and drive a number of animal species into extinction for their mere pleasure. Apparently, I need to send Rep. Amodei a dictionary so he can look up just exactly what it means when someone opposes something. Here’s a copy of the response I got from his office today with his signature affixed. And NO, I am NOT pleased.
April 26, 2012
Dear Ms. Rock:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Sportsmen’s Heritage Act of 2012 (H.R. 4089). I appreciate hearing from you on this issue.
I think you will be pleased to know that I support H.R. 4089. As a fellow sportsmen, I voted in favor of this legislation because the public interest is better served through policies that ensure opportunities are facilitated to allow fishing and hunting on federal public land. Recreational anglers, hunters, and associated industries protect our public treasures by generating billions of dollars of critical funding for fish and wildlife conservation, research, and management.
Specifically, H.R. 4089 would require recreational hunting, shooting and fishing to be recognized activities on all Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, with exceptions including national security. This legislation would also clarify that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the jurisdiction to regulate traditional ammunition with lead components and lead fishing tackle on federal land.
H.R. 4089 passed in a full vote of the House of Representatives on April 17, 2012 and now awaits further action in the Senate.
I appreciate the fact that you have taken the time to apprise me of your opinions and hope that you will contact me again should you have any further comments or concerns. If you would like additional information on my activities in the House, please visit my website, www.Amodei.house.gov or connect with me on facebook.com/MarkAmodeiNV2 and twitter.com/MarkAmodeiNV2.
In closing, please know that I consider it a privilege to serve and represent you and your family in Congress.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Amodei
Member of Congress
MEA/rg
This is NOT the first time he (or his flunkies) has written back to me flaunting his SUPPORT FOR exactly what I’ve clearly written to him in OPPOSITION to, as though I would find hi position pleasing. Apparently, he just doesn’t bother reading our actual letters to understand our concerns. I was furious as I read his gloating comment about the EPA not being able to do a damned thing about the lead-poisoning of our Nation’s symbolic bird, the bald Eagle. Instead of ensuring the protection of Bald Eagles, I guess than means HE approves of the slow lead poisoning of an elegant and supposedly protected symbol of our nation.
It’s time we amassed our efforts to vote him OUT of office!