Special Report: Which Presidential Candidate Offers Our Biggest Hope For Our Outdoor Heritage?
September 4, 2008
John McCain or Barack Obama. Biden or Palin? Which of our Presidential candidates represents the best possibility for a clear-cut future to our Outdoor heritage? Which candidate will fight for our outdoor rights, fight global warming, get our nation away from foreign oil, and represent the “new” direction that each party is spewing towards a different government?
I thought it might be a good time to check in on two of the leading outdoor and conservation organizations in America. The National Rifle Association (NRA) and The Sierra Club are both big advocates of legislation geared towards each of their agendas. They are both very similar in some ways, while vaguely differing in others.
The NRA prides itself on second amendment rights-for those of you that don’t know, that’s the right to
bear arms. It is a highly controversial stance, but one the NRA takes pride in protecting. This year, the NRA has promoted gun rights in Washington D.C., which recently helped to overturn the complete gun ban in our nations capital. They have also promoted opening up our National Parks to less stringent gun laws-making it legal for citizens to carry guns in our National Parks, with a valid permit. The NRA also promotes conservation, and views hunting as a way of stabilizing wildlife populations.
The Sierra Club believes in protecting our natural resources, finding ways to improve upon the enjoyment and protection of our environment, and also in providing a sustained effort to fight for America’s endangered species. They believe in non-destructive outdoor recreation. They are currently against initiatives to allow oil drilling in our National Parks and coastal areas, banning guns in our National Parks, and look down upon hunting as a means to sustain and enhance certain wildlife species.
These two organizations both believe in certain conservation measures, yet, they also have a very different outlook on what they do. They both encourage the outdoors enthusiast or sportsman to take action by getting involved in the voting process. Each organization has a vast network of chapters, represented in all 50 states, that are easily accessed for those willing, and they both look for volunteer efforts by their memberships. The NRA is definitely bigger and more represented, but The Sierra Club carries the same type of government persuasion and backing.
Now that we have each of their agendas down, let’s take a look at some recent headlines from each organization. The following headlines and links come directly from recent news releases from the National Rifle Asociation:
- Alaska Voters Shoot Down Predator Control Initiative–8/27/08
- 76% of Sportsmen Say They Prefer To Elect A President Who Hunts or Fishes–8/22/08
- State To Vote On Plan To Scale Back Cougar Hunting –8/13/08
To top things off, here’s three headlines recently published by The Sierra Club:
- The Palin Doctrine–9/03/08
- Hurricanes: Three Years Later-Five Truths–9/02/08
- Denver 2008: “America We Can Not Turn Back. Not With So Much Work To Be Done”–8/29/08
If we take a look at these recent headlines, by both organizations, we can quickly come up with each organization’s prospective Presidential candidate. The Sierra Club’s stance is a bit more than suggestive. With Sarah Palin taking the nomination to be Sen. John McCain’s vice-presidential running mate on Sept. 3, 2008, The Sierra club quickly had an anti-Palin message as it’s leader. This message, “The Palin Doctrine” seems to try to align Mrs. Palin’s political stance with that of Barack Obama, while also suggesting that Palin is for some of the very issues that John McCain has fought against Obama’s camp about, namely, oil and oil drilling. The Sierra Club is against John McCain and Sarah Palin.
The NRA’s headlines are a bit more obtuse and less suggestive, but if we look at he bigger picture, we can quickly se their side, as well. Take their second headline: 76% Of Sportsmen Say They Prefer To Elect A President Who Hunts Or Fishes.
It is a well-known fact that Sarah Palin is an avid sportswoman. She hunts and fishes, and her parents own a sporting lodge. Her husband is a world champion snowmobiler—three times. She frequently goes on hunts or charter fishing trips and is a huge second amendment backer, as is war hero John McCain. The National Rifle Association is against Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Don’t believe me? Check out this headline from the NRA: On The Second Amendment, Don’t Believe Obama!. Enough said.
Here’s my dilemma:
I support BOTH of these organizations. I am all for gun rights, protecting the environment, conservation, and protecting our wildlife heritage. I believe that, if used responsibly, hunting and fishing can benefit the environment and even promote growth of certain species populations. I am undecided on the oil drilling issue. If it were proven that there could be an added benefit, that wouldn’t take 10 years to produce–I would be all in. That’s not the case, though, and in fact, many suggest that the oil drilled in our National Parks would equal less than 3% of our country’s needs. If that is the case, than I have to ask…why bother?? The money could be used in a better fashion..say solar and wind power initiatives or even clean coal technology.
Much of the 2008 Presidential race is shaping up to be based on these exact issues. Barack Obama is against gun rights. McCain is for. Obama is against Drilling in our National Parks, McCain is for. The confusion over some of these issues has many people focusing on both candidates and doing their own research. Sarah Palin is an avid sportswoman—so is over 40 million Americans.
People who play in the outdoors are more likely to vote for outdoor initiatives, yet, Palin is also for drilling in our National Parks. Barack Obama’s gun rights record speaks for itself-he is definitely an ‘anti’, yet believes that global warming is one of our biggest issues. John McCain actually agrees on this issue.
I think from an outdoors and sportsman standpoint, that John McCain and Sarah Palin represent the most likable duo. Their records and persona leave little in question other than the fact on oil drilling. Digging deeper in to the Republican basis for outdoor initiatives, George W. Bush, whom many say that John McCain’s policies will follow, has done little to promote the outdoors. He has established a couple more areas of protected land, yet, he is currently trying to change the Endangered Species Act. One, that I might add, that could result in dire consequences for species such as the wolf and Florida Panther.
So Who Is My Candidate Of Choice?
From gun rights to global warming, John McCain and Sarah Palin, hit all the right issues. Oil drilling may be a long shot solution to a growing problem, but if they stay on track, can provide the other areas with results, I might be able to deal with one inconsistency in my personal beliefs. Sarah Palin is also from Alaska, where the oil drilling in our nation’s parks has become the battleground. Being an outdoors enthusiast, it would be very hard for me to believe that she would do anything to harm this land that she covets. For the outdoors enthusiasts and sportsmen, McCain and Palin’s track records are undeniably hard to find fault with. I think I have my choice for President in 2008, how about you?
sources: NRA, The Sierra Club Photos: courtesy of Moose’s Wild America
All Logos represented do not suggest the backing by that organization, nor are they implied. Each logo is copyrighted by their respective owners: The National Rifle Association, The Sierra Club.
This Special Report is being ran simultaneously in U.S. Outdoors Today. If you decide to link to this article, please drop me a comment and I will add a link to your site in this post. Also, if you would like to reprint this article on your own site, please leave a comment below, then forward the link to me through my Contact Page of where the article is found.
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Politics |
[...] Special Report: Which Presidential Candidate Offers Our Biggest … [...]
In my opnion the Sierra Club has long ago been taken over by environmental extremists. The NRA is the only one that remains true to its orignal purpose to protect 2nd amendment and hunting rights. If Bill Clinton hadn’t vetoed ANWR over 10 years ago we would be getting this oil today and maybe we would not have seen this spike up. Drilling everywhere is what we need plus all other sources, Nat. gas, oil shale, and coal. Use of these resources has all been stopped or slowed by the Democrats. Just how long do you think it will be before we get a lot of solar and wind on line? Mass use of these green sources are very far away as replacing our fossil fuels.
You make some very good points. I think most of the current problems started before Bill Clinton, and relate to how this country handled the fuel crisis of the 1970’s, early 80’s. At that time, the issue was coal. Some of the same debates took place 30 years ago–some good plans were spoken of (including the prospect of mining on protected land)that, at that time, could have provided a way out. There are many similarities to what was taking place then, compared to now. Then, people spoke of massive changes-including our reliance on foreign oil–but never carried through with their plans. 30 years later, we find ourselves back in the same ship, sinking at a faster rate. They say that history repeats itself. For this particular problem, we are seeing what results from no action. If the economy would turn around, gas prices mysteriously take a sharp drop—I think you would find, that in due time, this problem would once again be forgotten to the next generation.
Now is the time to act and make these needed changes. Obviously, this problem won’t go away, and eventually would pop up again. We need to ensure that we are doing everything we can to get away from this county’s dependency on foreign oil.
Wow, unfortunately I think that the bigger picture gets lost on so many proclaimed outdoorsmen. And I have to disagree with your stance Jason. At the core of this is how we treat the environment. That makes for a healthier outdoors for humans, animals and, most importantly, future generations. If we look at it from this perspective, McCain’s stance on the greatest challenge we face - global warming - is more talk than action. While McCain certainly would not be the pillage type president that Bush has been, Obama would be far better for the environment. Palin, has stated that she does not think that the science behind global warming has proven it is occurring. A more environmentally friendly president would be better for adventurers across the globe.
Obama is also not “anti-gun rights.” That is a gross misstatement. Being in favor of limiting guns specifically produced to kill PEOPLE does not make one anti-gun. He, nor any Democrat running for any office higher than city councilman has espoused removing gun ownership rights for hunters and gun aficionados.
I know many fishermen who would fish the seas until there are no more. I know of hunters who would pay for the ability to kill the last of a species. I know farmers who would poison the land they love until it is barren. Don’t assume that a hunter would do the right thing, or that someone from a ‘wild place’ would never harm the land they love. The individual’s point of view is far more important than the activities they participate in.
So I have to disagree ardently with your choice and go so far as to hope that you would reconsider. At least if you are in a swing state. Hailing from Louisiana, I’m red-locked!
Why would Obama be better for the environment? He talks a mean talk, but he has not done anything to prove that what he says can be made possible. His home state of Illinois just closed 10 state parks for lack of funding…
I did write this piece to spark some discussion on the issue.
Mike, in regards to gun rights and the environment, my piece was meant to expand on the fact that people, like myself, can actually be environmentally aware, while also believing in the right to bear arms. The Sierra Club and the NRA would have you think otherwise. Rather than come together on this issue and understand that the second amendment is a given right to this country, and environmental awareness should be a bigger issue, both organizations are splitting the people into factions that just aren’t true. Many hunters are for conservation and protecting the environment, likewise, many environmentalists hunt.
In regards to Obama’s gun records, he has voted 98% of the time for any measure to restrict gun ownership. His voting habits, or rather actions, speak volumns more than his words. He can say he isn’t out to take guns away, but his previous votes clearly show otherwise.
You clearly show that hunters and fishermen, could both take their recreation to the limits and wipe out a species. What you fail to mention is that many environmentalists continue to break the nation’s laws, as well.
You are correct when you say “The individuals point of view is far more important than the activities they participate in”, yet, Barack Obama who stands on the podium and glorifies ‘change’ is but one man. If someone could do everything that he has stated, than that man would be a very powerful man-let’s not forget that words are only that. He still has to worry about convincing the older establishment in Washington to back his plans and policies. As close as this race is going to be—neither the House, nor the Senate, is likely to be Democratically controlled and in his favor. It will be a battle ground to get anything accomplished, once again. Same goes for John McCain. I am going on the two’s previous voting records for my stance. John McCain can protect this country and make the right decisions when it comes to national security. I can not put my trust in a man who has no prior experience dealing with these problems.
Once again, I might be biased on my thinking. I have a son in the United States Army, who is currently helping to protect our country-I want to ensure that he has the resources to do his job and protect this great country of ours. This isn’t all about the environment, nor gun rights, but who we feel can actually run this country and get a job done if it comes down to it. McCain would not hesitate to protect this country…Barack…I am not so sure.