Amicus Brief by POMA

For those following the Professional Outdoor Media Association’s effort to combat U.S. v. Stevens (details below). SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT18 U.S.C. § 48 is overbroad and therefore unconstitutional. By its plain terms, the statute sweeps broadly: it criminalizes images “where an animal is wounded or killed” even if the underlying conduct, as with lawful hunting …

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A Discourse in Schooners and Candles

Patrick Burns, our friend and reader, can make an argument worthy of a terrier. His mind is unrelenting, unafraid to dig and always pressing home. While you may get in a bite or two, you’ll soon find all your exits blocked and him waiting with a snare. If you’re lucky, he’ll let you go unharmed. …

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Below the Fold

Readers please note a few photo-blogs from Steve just below Cat’s fine flowers. I just posted them this morning.

Wild beauty

Last weekend, my family went rock-climbing in the Wyoming Range. Even though Jim and I were much better at it 25 years/pounds ago, it was a blast. Cass will head off to college next month, so these are the good times. I’m not looking forward to the empty-nest thing at all, and am considering that …

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Quotes of the day

“In an 1879 letter to John Fordyce, Darwin wrote: “It seems to me absurd to doubt that a man may be an ardent Theist and an evolutionist.” “..I think the FDA’s war on raw milk in favor of pasteurization is a fitting allegory of American life writ large—all life must be killed before it kills …

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What is it?

This lovely young dog came to visit this past weekend. What breed is she? Those who already know– Brett, Chris, Daniela et al, please refrain from giving it away!. I’ll answer soon. (Photos by Daniela Imre)

“Eagle Warrior”

And while we are on weird images, Sari Mantila sends this from Finland, with that title. Actually it is an un- retouched photo of a Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus). But doesn’t it look like some weird ape- raptor conflation?

Disgrace

In Boston, the Franklin Park Zoo may close. As many as 165 employees may lose their jobs, and a large percentage of the animals may be euthanized. “These are extremely difficult times across the state, and there have been tough cuts in every area,” a [Governor Deval] Patrick spokeswoman, Cyndi Roy, said in a statement. …

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