Frist wants cockfighting to be federal felony

[shockra]

Friday, 06/24/05

Frist wants cockfighting to be federal felony

Associated Press

KNOXVILLE — U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, responding to a cockfighting raid in Cocke County, said he opposes the betting blood sport and would like to see it become a federal crime.

The practice of gambling on razor-equipped roosters fighting to the death "is wrong and irresponsible," the Tennessee Republican told The Knoxville News Sentinel's Washington bureau Wednesday.

As Senate leader, Frist scheduled a successful vote on the floor in April to pass a bill that would make it a felony rather than the current misdemeanor to be involved in interstate commerce of animals for fighting. The measure also would make a felony of interstate commerce in the sharp instruments used on fighting roosters' legs.

Under the bill, the penalty would increase from the current maximum one-year sentence to as much as two years in prison. A felony conviction also ends one's rights to own a gun and vote.

Frist said the goal was "to impede the sport," and he hopes the House also passes it.

U.S. Rep. Bill Jenkins, R-Rogersville wants to keep cockfighting a misdemeanor and criticized federal authorities for taking part in the June 11 raid in Cocke County, part of his district.

:wow:

Posted in GD.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3975826

[Piperay]

1. WOW

what a switch for the cat killer, must be some money in there somewhere cause no way can I believe he discovered compassion. :freak:

[Warpy]

7. It's a class thing

and cockfighting is practiced by those shabby poor people who screw up his view.

I live in a state where it's legal. The birds are fed raw meat and abused so they'll attack anything that comes near them. After the fight, the loser is dead or dying and the winner is badly injured. Both are just thrown into a corner to suffer and die.

It's an ingrained part of the culture around here and declaring it illegal will just force it underground where nothing will change. I'd prefer to see it regulated to the point that the birds are treated humanely and euthanized after the event if their injuries are severe. I'd also ban the use of metal spurs.

Someday the culture around here might mature to the point that blood sports involving animals are no longer particularly attractive. Until that happens, I'd rather regulate it than drive it underground.

[flvegan]

2. Some of the biggest asshats in our govt. are currently backing pro-animal

legislation. Hell, Santorum (of all people) is backing the new anti-puppy mill bill.

Yes, still very suspicious.

[smbolisnch]

3. Why do you think that is?

I certainly haven't seen a surge of compassion towards animal rights from the public, so what could be in it for them? :shrug:

[flvegan]

4. With Frist, at least, I think that it's more the gambling aspect

that he's against. Violates his moral code, I'm sure.

With Santorum, I think that puppy mills have really given his state a black eye. He really doesn't have much to lose, as the trade in PA is largely from the Amish community. It's an issue almost anyone can get behind (help the puppies!!) and makes him look good.

Of course, that's coming from someone with a huge bias looking for any angle to belittle him (and not the actual bill) on what may very well be an act in compassion.

[smbolisnch]

6. It may be an act of compassion.

I tend do do that-assume that republicans could not possibly do something out of the goodness of their hearts, especially for animals, but that is just a knee jerk reaction. My parents are republicans, and I know for a fact they would do whatever they could to stop puppy mills if they were in his position. Who knows? :shrug:

[Piperay]

9. I personally know

lots of repukes that are into animal activism. I think that because so many of them don't like people they bond with animals and then get into the animal rights. The stupid thing about it is that they don't 'connext the dots' and see that their parties policie's (against the environment) hurt animals even before it hurts people.

[Catchawave]

8. You can follow Humane USA PAC's

endorsements here: http://www.humaneusa.org/

Animal politics is non partisan, though watch carefully how they time certain bills. For example, nobody will vote against the puppy bill during an election year for fear they'll be labelled "puppy killers"...LOL.

Hey, whatever helps the animals! I'll fight for the protectors just as hard as I fight against the destroyers :patriot:

[Merope215]

5. Wow

It would make me a lot happier if Democrats were the ones sponsoring this kind of legislation instead. Because every time a Republican does something like this, it makes me respect him or her a little bit, and the cognitive dissonance makes my head spin.

Luckily, with Frist, all I have to do is think about what he did with Terri Schiavo, and it's okay again.

Maybe more members of Congress can get behind this. It would be wonderful to see real, strong, enforeceable animal cruelty laws, and they shouldn't stop at cockfighting. So, Sen. Frist, I still think you're a moran, but thanks anyway for the help.