SmallBoatBassClub.net

[Hawghunter]

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/saltwater/news/story?id=4975762

[Leadpipe]

THIS IS NOT A J0KE, please pay attention. Read the comments at the end of the story.
We must stand up against this.
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"Luck" is where "Preparation" and "Opportunity" meet.

[LilJakeC]

ROAD TRIP!!!!!! Time to go to DC They made a reference to the lead weights and lead shot that we all use is bad for the environment and it should be banned to use both of these. It makes no sense that they are just going to target fishermen and hunters for this. A ton of goods are made from lead. If they have such a problem with lead poisening us and the animals then why don't they lock us up in our houses because the commercial the EPA put out says that dirt contains lead and is bad for us. Nothing that they say makes sense. They say one thing and then go saying something else. KVD FOR PRESIDENT
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I'm just sitting here clicking my life away.

[Leadpipe]

You must Act NOW this is our fishing they are talking about DC FAX Electronic Correspondence
Senator Ben Nelson (D- NE) 202-224-6551 202-228-0012 http://bennelson.senate.gov/contact-me.cfm
Senator Mike Johanns (R- NE) 202-224-4224 202-228-0436 http://johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorJohanns
Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R - 01) 202-225-4806 202-225-5686 https://fortenberryforms.house.gov/contact-zip-auth.shtml
Representative Lee Terry (R - 02) 202-225-4155 202-226-5452 http://www.house.gov/formleeterry/IMA/issue.htm
Representative Adrian Smith (R - 03) 202-225-6435 202-225-0207 http://www.house.gov/formadriansmith/issues_subscribe.htm
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"Luck" is where "Preparation" and "Opportunity" meet.

[kaptain]

It’s funny, regardless of party affiliation, these guys used to do anything they could to get a photo op being on a boat or in a field… at least one to cater to the outdoorsman.

Oh well, lots of those in DC went to Ivy league schools and have lots of Doctorate degrees, etc. I think they must be smarter than me and I’ll just sit back and believe they know what they are talking about. If they say no fishing, I guess that is for the better…

It is amazing we are at this point…

[shad master]

Before everybody gets too worked up about this - read the document - here is the link:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/091209-Interim-CMSP-Framework-Task-Force.pdf

I think what you will take from this is that this is intended to, among other things, keep commercial fishing and shipping from having a ngegative impact on our waterways. There is nothing in there about stopping recreational fishing or boating. In fact the "memorandum" that established this group specifically talks about protecting recreational use of inland waters.

I encourage the moderators of this forum to be careful about letting politcal posts get too far out of hand - no good can come of it. Let's talk about lure selection and finding structure and leave the politcal discussions to the coffee shop crowd.
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Fishing is easy - all you have to do is the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place.

[treehunter]

i agree with shad not the place to talk politics...not that the insight or a heads up cant be posted...just not the place to discuss it
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i fish there fore i wish

[kaptain]

True... although the context of the espn article has specific points where these similar groups have gotten things they support get passed. Right now there is similar EPA legislation being considered to regulate "all passable" waterways in the US extending to little ponds on farms all over the country. There is some concern about over-reaching.

I'd argue that we should (and hopefully can) self-regulate passion and be respectful no matter what. Either way, politics are applicable to the outdoors and it is important to stay informed.

Plus, it fits the "what is on your mind" category

[shad master]

I disagree - issues are acceptable topics in the outdoors - politics is divisive - fish & wildlife don't care how you voted - the EPA has been around for at least 40 years and lots of the lakes that are now fishable is because of what they have done - this has occurred during administrations of both parties.

If there is something specific in the issue that would have an impact on recreational fishing, either here or anywhere else around the country - point it out - don't just make statements that "this adiminstration" is doing thus and so.
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Fishing is easy - all you have to do is the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place.

[shad master]

And just for your reading pleasure - check this out:

http://mediamatters.org/research/201003100014
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Fishing is easy - all you have to do is the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place.

[Leadpipe]

This IS the place to talk about the sport of fishing. When the weather is a topic of our fishing then we will talk about the weather. If the price of rubber worms is a topic of our fishing, then we will talk about the price of worms. And if there is a chance that the Government will take away our sport of fishing then It's up to us to talk about it.
It's not politics.......its fishing
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"Luck" is where "Preparation" and "Opportunity" meet.

[shad master]

Then please point out to me where it says that "the Government will take away our sport of fishing" - I have looked at the documents and I just don't see it
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Fishing is easy - all you have to do is the right thing, in the right way, at the right time, in the right place.

[Leadpipe]

paragraph 2, The Obama administration has ended public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing some of the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters.
I might be reading more into it then there is...
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"Luck" is where "Preparation" and "Opportunity" meet.

[kaptain]

See, we're doing a good idea on focussing on the actual topic

I don’t think there is a real threat of it being took away… I think the article was an opinion piece from that writer that simply was meant to alarm the fishing lobby to keep their heads up and pay attention or else.

His basis for concern is legitimate to me, as he points out the close associations of many federal appointees to some fringe enviro groups that are listed. To just name one for sake of time, Cass Sunstein has a long track record of pushing for no hunting, creating equal rights for animals as humans (including legal representation in a court of law), and other bizarre stances like rights for trees & plants… and he has prominent decision making role.

However, I do agree that the article was meant to drum up maybe some outrage when it really wasn’t necessary at this point. It was correct, however, to put a spotlight on some of fringe groups that support those that could have some major influence when determining an outdoor recreational agenda.

I wonder if this guy has more to explain where he's coming from... or if he'll leave it as it was.

[Hawghunter]

I think the jest of this is that the groups that are associated with this piece of legislation (NOAA) seem to have a similar adgenda that a couple groups from Canada (WWF and IFWA) had when they were able to ban spring bear hunting in Ontario. Obama Administration has seemingly decided to quit listening to public opinion on this (see health care) and may just go with what NOAA recommends. That threw up some red flags, not saying to expect fishing to be banned in 6 months time. But politicians are not always the most informed group when it comes to the outdoors, with some notable exceptions (both Bush and Clinton have attended Classics). See Michigan and until recently New York, where you cannot legally fish for Bass until well after the spawning period. Although I am not sure how that could be enforced.

I haven't sat down and read the counter point sights for this yet as produced here. And I am not the most politically savy person like others on this forum are. But in my mind this is just another example of our President telling us that he knows what we need and he will take care of it, no matter what the majority seem to think.

We have had discussions on this forum that were a lot more controversial and more heated than this will be. At the end of the day, if you are into the political side of it and want to contact your congressman on a subject, more power to you. I more follow this stuff at a distance and hope they do the right thing. I saw this on another site, thought it was interesting. I do realize there is always more than one side to the story and feel there is enough fisherman in the country that I doubt fishing will ever be regulated by the feds. But I bet the Canadian spring bear hunters felt the same way.