Good news, animals! Cass Sunstein, a vegetarian, animal advocate and author of the book Animal Rights: Current Controversies and New Directions has been appointed to the role of Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Will we see a new administration that speaks up for the legal rights of those not fortunate enough to be born human? In Sustein’s own words:

If we focus on suffering, as I believe that we should, it is not necessarily impermissible to kill animals and use them for food; but it is entirely impermissible to be indifferent to their interests while they are alive. So too for other animals in farms, even or perhaps especially if they are being used for the benefit of human beings.

Now that would be progress!