Letters to the Editor: October 14 – 21, 2015

Kudos to Beyer For Fight For Animal Protection

Editor,

When former Rep. Jim Moran announced his retirement, I was skeptical that we could find another leader for Virginia’s 8th district as dedicated to animal welfare issues as he was. Despite taking office only nine months ago, Rep. Donald Beyer has already proven that he cares about and is willing to fight for the humane treatment of animals. Recently, he demonstrated his commitment to these beliefs when he introduced an amendment to strip harmful provisions from the deceptively-named Sportsmen’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act of 2015.

While Rep. Beyer’s amendment would have removed several damaging provisions, I am most grateful for his efforts to eliminate Title X and Section 302. Title X (the African Elephant Conservation and Legal Ivory Possession Act) would end efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to crack down on the illegal ivory trade by repealing restrictions on U.S. ivory imports and exports. Section 302 would allow the importation of 41 polar bear hunting trophies from Canada. This provision is even more outrageous because these polar bears were killed when the Fish and Wildlife Service was finalizing their decision to list polar bears as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act, and hunters were warned that they would likely not be allowed to bring their trophies back into the country. Section 302 would serve as a dangerous precedent for trophy hunters who take advantage of opportunities in other countries to hunt dwindling populations then seek retroactive protection to import their trophies under U.S. law.

This threat is very real – the Fish and Wildlife Service’s listing of African lions is imminent. If this precedent is set, we can expect to see many more lions, like Cecil, hunted for sport as they are on the brink of gaining federal protections. Although his amendment did not pass (Title X and Section 302 are still in the Act), Rep. Beyer sought to protect those who cannot protect themselves. His steadfast beliefs and actions make me proud to call him my representative.

Emily Connelly

Arlington

This November, Ask Yourself ‘What Is Important?’

Editor,

Falls Church, ask yourself, what is important?

Stable and safe neighborhoods?

Locally competitive city services?

Locally competitive schools?

Retiring in your own home?

Having your kids able to buy in Falls Church?

Having your kids able to raise kids in Falls Church?

More non-chain Mom and Pop shops?

Parking?

Traffic?

Green space?

Then vote for like minded candidates. Candidates, who will with prudence and objectivity, openly evaluate and post to the citizenry, the matters before them.

Clearly post why they individually believe Falls Church needs to move in a specific direction on a specific matter.

David Schwind

Falls Church

Letters to the Editor may be submitted to letters@fcnp.com or via our online form here. Letters should be limited to 350 words and may be edited for content, clarity and length. To view the FCNP’s letter and submission policy, please click here.