The pen may trump the sword, but is the computer more powerful than the rifle?
On the continuing theme of wolves and their protected status under the Endangered Species Act: I have been mulling and meditating about this subject and the best way to proceed. In the time-honored democratic tradition, I begin by petitioning the government. My voice is only one. Those who care deeply about this issue should consider making their voices heard.
Here is the letter I sent yesterday to Barack Obama. Security concerns may delay it for weeks. E-mail to the U.S. President won’t permit the entire letter, so I sent a link. Perhaps President Obama will read some wolf poetry!
Forgive me, dear friends, if you tire of this subject. I must do everything possible.
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Re: Wolves and the Endangered Species Act
Dear Mr. President:
The specter of removing wolves from the protection of the Endangered Species Act is profoundly disturbing. Wolves have been hunted to near extinction by those who fear and demonize them. Thanks to federal protection, they are in the process of making a comeback. Whether these gains can be maintained in the face of climate change, loss of habitat, changes in food supply, and recurring cycles of disease and reproductive failure, is anybody’s guess.
Our history of extermination requires that we behave decently and tread very carefully now. Removing protection for wolves would be akin to eliminating the benefits of affirmative action for African Americans. They are, after all, doing well, or at least better. Past history creates present and future obligations, and this is no less true for our wild creatures.
Wolves have been captured, collared, and tracked by scientists who study them. Are we now, having habituated wolves to humans, to hunt them?
And how will we hunt? From planes and helicopters, with poison, traps? Where do we stop, and who will do the stopping, if the federal government steps out of the picture? Administrators subject to the control of those who loathe wolves cannot be permitted to make decisions regarding hunting. Departments of fish and wildlife do not manage hunters; they don’t have the will or the budget. In Colorado, hunting season has just ended. We see beheaded animal carcasses left to rot in campgrounds and along roads. It’s illegal, but it happens. What will happen to wolves when lack of oversight and enforcement is the order of the day? The prospect shocks the conscience.
Why is this administration so eager to de-list wolves? What trade-offs are you expecting? Why the closed-door sessions?
If ranchers and others in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are pushing for de-listing, it behooves us to address and attempt to remedy their legitimate concerns. Are compensation funds and procedures adequate? What are the real needs involved, and how can they be met – short of de-listing? The federal government is strapped for cash while its services are in high demand. I and, my guess is, many others would be willing to contribute to a well-managed compensation fund.
Humans have an unfortunate predilection for choosing who, human or animal, is worthy to live and who must suffer and die. That day is over. The time has come for wildness and human decency to flourish together on the face of this beautiful earth.
I invite you to visit www.sweetplanetpoems.com to read my wolf (and other) poems and to see my wolf pictures. I have looked into their eyes, and wolves are not the enemy.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Monica Glickman
Sweet Planet Poems 
😀
I will keep trying, Ela, thank you.
Good letter! Keep up the pressure! 🙂
You are most welcome my wicked friend…
Androgoth XXx
Hello Androgoth, Thank you for such lovely and generous words of support.
Indeed a most heartfelt letter that should break down the fences of power and let at least one man, just a man, who happens to be the President of the United States of America to see the sense and the true Spirit of the Wild…
I hope that this letter is read in the enthusiasm and the true mettle of one that wrote it, one that wishes nature to remain free of this most gruesome crime against the nature of the wild, and that the laws are upheld and the protection that was given under the Endangered Species Act, remains intact for the now and of the future…
A very nicely written letter my wicked friend… Well Done You
Androgoth XXx
You are most welcome Monica,,,any friend of the Wolf is a friend of mine 🙂
Dear Kenny, This is completely glorious! Thank you for taking the time to do such a lovely thing. Thank you, thank you! And I hope the new year is one of good health and growing strength for you. Monica
Merry x/mass and a happy new year Monica.
Thank you, dear ones. Your words of support encourage and sustain me. I hope your holidays are joyous. Monica
I am so proud of you, Monica
I hope the President answers you soon, with a positive response!
Peace to you, and the Wolves
Laz
Hi Monica.
I understand that Obama owns a dog ! and as the world knows the dog is the direct descendant of the Wolf. I wonder what his feelings would be if someone were to shoot his dog. I hope he shall read your most excellent letter and indeed look into his dogs eyes afterwards.
be well Monica.
Kenny2dogs.
I do hope the pen proves mightier than the rifle, Monica. and that President Obama does read your letter and follows the link and gens up on another point of view on these wonderful .
As Bluebee says, Wolves are not the enemy here, and surely this point will come across quite forcibly? I add my support to yours, in your endeavor to keep Wolves in their protected status., under the Endangered Species Act, any other course of action would be inhumane. To this day there is no documented case of a healthy wolf maiming or killing a human in the wild. They are normally shy when exposed to humans, and will avoid you in the wild if possible.
My hopes and prayers are with you in your seeking a ‘stay of execution’ for these wonderful animals, as surely once the protection is lifted who knows where the killing will stop. I despair for us humans , I truly do.
Penx
‘wolves are not the enemy’ – that is the crux of it, Monica. Hope Obama gets to read some wolf poetry and the computer proves to be mightier than the rifle. You just never know until you try…
A great letter my friend and I only hope that Obama will take the time to read and react on it as he cannot fail to see in the words that they come from one who truely has the predicament of the declining wolves at heart ,Proud to see someone prepared to stand up and be counted on a subject that many might find trivial but is however important to the coexistence of man and animal in this world of change that brings demise to these beautiful species , You have my support and respect on your endeavours
Ian aka Emu