-- Fish are winning this battle with strong performances from their well-connected sponsors, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez.
-- People are losing with House Democratic leaders making Valley Reps. Jim Costa of Fresno and Dennis Cardoza of Merced look particularly impotent on water issues. Maybe they should change parties. They get more support on water from the GOP.
-- Straddling fence award goes to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who is trying to play to both sides of the water controversy. That hasn't help get one extra drop of water for Valley agriculture.
-- Mr. Irrelevant Award goes to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who has no clout in the Obama administration, and just delivers the bad water news to California that he gets from the Oval Office. Even if he wears a cowboy hat, he comes off as a city slicker trying to fit in.
-- In the also-ran category, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, adds nothing to the debate over farm water by asking Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to resign Friday. Does Nunes want to work for a water solution or is he just trying to grab headlines? That was a very weak move on Nunes' part. Of course, we barely hear from the other GOP congressman from our area, George Radanovich of Mariposa, so Nunes at least has a lead over his House colleague.
The governor's performance today was shameful. He stood there in front on thousands of people truly affected by this man-made drought and promised to do NOTHING.
No solutions, no ideas, NOTHING.
I agree with Nunes, Schwarzenegger has got to go, so should Salazar.
These guys are playing with people's lives.
Enough is enough!
First of all I want to apologize for voting for "Arnold the Fake".My gut said vote for Tom but I was swayed by "The Wizards" that it would be a waste and "The Jokenator" was a "Republican".Wrong. He has the authority to get things going but not the "Nads" so you are right Julius...He's a "Do-Nothing Democrat" masquerading as a "Republican".Please forgive me for falling for his and "The Wizards" B-S.
This site sucks...Sorry I asked to see the pine flat fishing reports, and all that comes up is the Millerton Lake report. Whats up??????
It's not exactly fair to reduce the eco-system we all live in, to "fishes"...but if'n that's what it is, then,...Hooray for Fish!
I am deeply troubled by all our Congressmen on the water issues.
Were they simply asleep at the wheel when critical issues were up for votes in Congress, or in our court decisions? Where was the outrage when from our leadership? After the fact does no one any good. Complaining and pointing fingers does not help either.
Our Agricultural economy has been raped, thousands of jobs lost, by frikin "endangered smelt".
Making this a partisan arguement is a cop-out as well. Let's get serious and not get played for fools by pointing fingers at eachother, or better, not let our leadership blame it on partisanship.
Personally I don't think we've made enough noise. I don't think the impact has affected enough of the country. The White House has big nationwide, and global problems to worry about so our water issue pales in comparison. All states have local issues they want attention for, and each is just as important to that state. Salazar shows up and we have a few people marching with signs...a gallant show but hardly enough to make folks in Washington feel any urgency. We know it's a huge problem but it seems we haven't conveyed that message with any real success. Arnold? Dianne? What will it take? Our agriculture feeds the country...perhaps we should start there.
By the way, I may be liberal but the decision to favor the fish over the people really smelt.
It sounds like more people are catching on.
I wish the Bee was behind us.
The Bee been critical of the Governor in the past; is standing idol while the Central Valley withers away not enough to demand action?
How the Bee would react if the Governor refused to provide them access to a stable source of Ink?!
It's not about the smelt folks. I hear a lot of violins playing for the water issue but when are we going to see some critical thinking applied to it? The “humans before fish” mantra has pulled many heartstrings but is only an emotional slogan. The issue isn’t about saving one type of fish. The Delta Smelt are an indicator species whose environmental needs indicate the health of the whole delta system, and the Delta is failing. We are having a drought; the third major drought in 30 years. Because of the drought there is less water feeding the delta system from the mountains. That results in more incursion of salt water that threatens the fresh water we drink. If we pump too much water out of the delta and salt water intrudes too far inland then water will need to be pumped from the feeder waters themselves. We are not set up for that, besides, if we did then we are no longer charging the ground water system and wells will dry up or become salt contaminated. We basically will be fouling our fresh drinking water.
You want to save jobs? Whose? The peat soil in the delta is one of the most fertile in the nation. Specialty crops, such as asparagus, are grown in the delta in quantities unmatched anywhere else in the United States contributing billions of dollars to the state's economy. Pump too much water, to water less fertile farms and those farmers and farmlands are the first to go. Two-thirds of salmon in California migrate through the delta. Last year’s shutdown of the commercial salmon fishing due to the fact that species numbers were so low that they were not sustainable, cost California $255 million and 2,263 jobs. They are shutdown again this year while the resource rebounds; which it is doing. Too much pumping in the Delta will upset the ecological balance and this will be a permanent loss. The list goes on and on.
The Delta acts like a filter, filtering out wastes as the water flows toward the sea. Wastes such as arsenic, boron, mercury, lead, selenium, etc. Pumping pulls water south from across the Delta and reverses the direction of the natural flows in the San Joaquin and other waterways. Too much disruption of the normal flow of the Delta can result in concentration of these hazardous contaminants that would usually be diluted as waters head to the sea. Think of the loss to humans if the Delta becomes contaminated.
There are many solutions folks that don’t involve the destruction of our Delta. We are in a drought, instead of shouting “humans before fish” why don’t we actually do something? All citizens should sacrifice for the good of the whole. A temporary moratorium on watering front lawns will free up a significant amount of water for farmers. It won’t destroy the fishing industry, ruin delta farming, contaminate the delta or our damage our drinking water supply. Anybody willing to sacrifice for farmers or is shouting about fish all we have in us?
The drought is not man-made; the lack of solutions to the drought is man-made. The problems we are having with the water supply were predicted in the 1980s but just like everything else, California refuses to believe or react until the problem is upon us. Our "leaders" and the public with their lack of votes for solutions caused this problem. Do you realize how silly California must look blaming it all on a fish?!
Ditto
Brian: As one who voted for Tom and railed against the conventional wisdom that it was throwing my vote away, I appreciate and accept your apology.
It's not California.
Many of the posts show strong indication of the ignorance about the meaning and significance of MONITOR SPECIES. Kim Tanksley is one of the rarer individuals who understand the great importance of the smelt. It's not just some fish winning the battle, but hopefully with it the entire delta and in the long run, the viable survival of the Central Valley. It was to be hoped that we have learned from the loosing battle of the monitor frog species, its disappearance and a disturbed natural balance at the site. There is so much talk about God's design being perfect. But what is design and what is being given all the rope we need to hang ourselves?
I would encourage all of the egg-heads on this post to take your message to the good people on the West Side of the Valley. (Mendota, Firebaugh, Huron, etc.)
Look them in the eyes and tell them why their government stands idol as their land dries up and their jobs disappear.
Explain the complex environmental situation the delta creates, convey to them the importantance of the smelt and other species, and then tell them how to FEED THEIR FAMILIES.
Finally, remind them how this isn't about fish versus people.
You make a point for people un aware of the facts. The problem is if your so concerned for the delta is the fact that Sacremento, and Stockton are dunping millions of gallons of their sewage water in the Delta EVERYDAY.If you think the pumps are killing fish then tell me how much does Ammonia and other solutions used in the treatment6 plants affect the eco-system. SAVE OUR FARMS PEOPLE OVER FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is it? That's all you've got. Since Sacramento and Stockton are dumping sewage into the delta then it is O.K. to destroy the delta. Did you not read that if the Delta is destroyed it will be more than farmers out of work and water?
This egg head is from a long line of farmers who scratched a living out of the west side of the Valley. When there were droughts my grandparents and parents adapted. They went hungry. They even lived for long periods of time on fried wild mushrooms they sent their kids out to find. Those farmers who understand the environment and how important it is to their long-term livelihood already know that it isn't fish versus people. You can't take from the environment what it doesn't have to give. Where to you think this water comes from? The mountains with very little snow pack to charge the system. It's easy to blame the government but I don't see a lot of people willing to give up something to help those farmers. Again I will ask. Do we all need green lawns? Isn't a brown lawn a smaller sacrifice than destroying an ecosystem? Putting our fresh water supply at risk? Choosing west side farmers over delta farmers? Choosing west side farmers over fishermen? Our leaders need to look for long term solutions and have the b*lls to start on them. In the short term, our leaders should force us all to give up something to help those who need it. Green lawns for farmers! There is a rally cry that is sustainable. If enough egg heads get the point across you can say thank you next time you drink a tall glass of cool water while you munch on your west side vegetables.
In terms of my front lawn and western civilization in general, is Bluegrass/Rye/Fescue an "indicator" or a "MONITOR SPECIES?"
Neither. An "indicator species" is one who is used to determine the status or health of the environment but is also itself endangered. A "monitor species" is one that is also "monitored" but is not yet considered endangered. The words are sometimes used interchangeably depending what state you are in. Some states also call them both "priority species". Given that Bluegrass/Rye/Fescue do not meet these requirements then it's just "grass". As for western civilization... I believe there are very very few civilized humans on the planet let alone in the west. I'd call the word civilization a "misnomer".
Dang Bart. I poke fun at you all the time and... nothin'... no chuckle, not even a slap. You used to be a lot more fun. I'm starting to miss Brian Murray... and that is sad. It's too easy to be mean to TC and redpeach is gone (though secretly I wonder if Roxanna is redpeach.) Brian.. darlin'.. say something to make me mad. Mike D and Scot are back... see? there is a heaven.
http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_12183397
Governor Schwarzenegger if you read this blog, just a reminder. I once promised never to support any idea you would promote in the future. The future is here and I intend to keep my promise to you by voting in opposition to Propositions 1A-F on May 19. I hope Californians like me who have had enough of your green charade can line up enough spine to deny you totally.
Real intelligent voting criteria there, Bart. So, if Arnold is against gum disease, you're for it?
_____________________________________________
Thanks for the welcome, Kim. You appear to be doing a fine job, though, in battling the forces of ignorance and illogic.
It's funny how you stumbled on one of may favorite topics. As a matter of fact I do alot of patient education on the subject of gum care, especially with folks who unfortunately suffer from siezure disorder and are treated with dilantin. I hope you can find another cause to nail me on, until then I have not changed my mind.
Well, let's hope Ahnold doesn't come out with an anti-gum disease initiative, then. You'd either have to change your life calling or break your vow - not a pleasant choice either way, no doubt.
I just completed filling out my absentee ballot. NO TO TAXES, NO TO GIMMICKS AND DEALS, and NO TO GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER AND HIS CONTINUED EXPLOITATION OF CONSERVATIVE TRUST AND LOYALTY. NO ON 1A-F
I read your link. Did you know that the hunters in Arizona who are working with the lead ban say now that they have been using the new ammo they found it works just as well? It is true that the "unleaded" ammo is more expensive but isn't the cost relative to how bad a shot you are? Why don't hunters compromise and use lead at the range for practice and use unleaded ammo while hunting? I'm a little suspicious of hunters who blame their bad hunting luck on the ammo. If the extra ten bucks is such a monetary hardship, then wouldn't it be more frugal to go the the store and buy some hamburger? Better yet why not switch to bow and arrow? Real men give their prey a fighting chance. If one hunts merely for the sport of it then the added cost is just the added cost of the activity. Like the rise in the cost of fishing licenses, range fees, the cost of fabric for seamstresses (big jump there!!), boating fuel, etc. From your link it sounds like those folks are a bunch of cranky old farts that care for nothing or no one but themselves. I think they are bitter because they apparently can't hit the side of a barn and it's running up their ammo costs.
You surprise me by your words "green charade". One of your favorite memories was the peace and beauty of the Sierra from a fire tower... courtesy of responsible folks and their "green charades" but... you want to live your life just the opposite. I spell that H Y P O C R I S Y. I changed my mind. I don't miss your banter.
Arizona:
Responsive Management has been conducting a trends survey for the Arizona Game and Fish Department for the past two decades to monitor participation in, satisfaction with, and opinions on outdoor recreation in Arizona. In 2008, the trend study showed that watching wildlife away from home had increased, but there was a substantial decline in participation in off-highway vehicle driving as well as slight declines in boating, fishing, and hunting.
Arizona:
http://californiahuntingtoday.com/hogblog/2009/04/03/lead-ban-chronicles-new-suit-filed-against-feds-in-az/
California:
http://californiahuntingtoday.com/hogblog/2008/08/09/lead-ban-chronicles-anti-lead-propaganda-or-solid-science
I don't look forward to any more surveys coming out soon. The CDF&G has essentially documented a failed program by surveying the disaffected compulsary participants. The attitudes expressed by individuals and the conclusions are strongly negative for many well articulated reasons. Compliance/defiance toward the law are significantly out of balance. It will never change, lead and copper are different. They do not even share the same catagory on the periodic table of elements. For the best standard of contrast available just ask any Warden this question: What is the construction of the bullets you are issued?(when I as that question,they did not answer.) Again, ask a military rangemaster, sniper, soldier, sailor, airman, or marine: What are the components of your projectiles? And also be sure to ask them: What are the components that make up the billions of rifle and pistol projectiles that enemies shoot at you? G-r-e-e-n-c-h-a-r-a-d-e.
"It will never change, lead and copper are different They do not even share the same catagory on the periodic table of elements." B.T.
So what? The different atomic weight and/or valency of those two metals have absolutely no impact on the use of the amo. Shooting is not a chemical process. What counts is that lead is toxic to organic beings. Drawing conclusion from the posts, I would not let B.T. get anywhere near my gums.
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_12177294
For the sake of "intellectual honesty," something I really don't have a clue about nor do I really care...to be perfectly honest, I am compelled to reveal that the the survey I mentioned in the previous posting, was a privately generated one with only seventy or so respondents (gasp). After reading a different copy of the same story it is obvious that the survey was not generated by CDF&G.
However my conclusions remain intact, the responses contradict attitudes reported to the Fish and Game Commisars earlier this year.
Incidentally, this is the same area two condors were savagely wounded with lead pellets recently. Environmentalists are apparently warming the language "Condors need hunters" they now say. It's a late strategy, but true all along, most descriptions of their program which costs millions of taxpayer dollars call it nothing more than an outside zoo because they can't feed themselves. Folks, except for the water issue, that is worse than smelt.
I welcome your responses anti-stupidos, please don't stop...here's why.
The game that is being played here is not about what you think or how I will change your mind (which doesn't interest me in the least.)
The goal here for me is to draw attention to what I believe are the real problems in this Valley. All of you who disagree with me, or Morgan, or Murray and others who follow good conservative values rather than attack them are simply out of touch with the reality in this part of the state. You consantly frame your attacks at the most irrelevant and personally low level with such inconsistency that anyone with common sense, maturity, and a real sense of respect for their fellow man can see the problem clearly. You are your own worst enemy.
Latey I have had the privilege of a positive comment where a little reflective logic proved humorous. Its an important point that the left has never learned. You nincompoops spend so much of your time looking for evil and H-Y, and saving everyone but yourselves that your sense of humor suffers. I can spot three marxists sitting together in a cafeteria instantly. The point is I can spot them in a blog also, therefore they can be spotted by others. My work here is to let you act like what you are, to contrast against me and those who I agree with ideologically. The reason this strategy will always be successful is that you are a minority here in the valley, you have sided with a fish and come to a conclusion that this valley is not fertile enough for growing food.
"You nincompoops spend so much of your time looking for evil and H-Y, and saving everyone but yourselves that your sense of humor suffers."
Plagiarizing one of Mr. Turnipseed's often used profound intellectualizations; "Oh brother!"
I must concede that it is not easy to utilize about 300 words saying nothing. And how does one tell leftist Marxists from right wing
Conservatives, eating in a cafeteria? Has it something to do with their gums? But I think it best to lay off when I suspect that someone is not playing with a full deck. B.T. from now on you are on your own.
Rich | February 25, 2009 8:44 AM | Reply
Imposing or taking away someones right to live with another person equally as others are in our Country is unChristian and unAmerican.
Hey Rich found this while I was researching my response to the intellectual Ms. Lawson's post. Guess what the San Francisco Presbytery did last tuesday? They exercised the kind of intellectual (something I know nothing about) and moral honesty I applaud. I wonder if the California Supremes saw that!
Rich replied to comment from Bart Turnipseed | April 2, 2009 12:09 PM | Reply
Oh Brother...
Isabell here is the primary source of that utterance (I thought it had posted early this morning.) It took me awhile to find it, I hope you can appreciate my honesty by accepting no credit for what you seem to believe is a "profound intellectualization." Interesting how if it is my idea it becomes a source of amusement for you. Have fun discussing the details with its author. The statement was made by him on more than one occassion, I sensed a pattern and like you decided that for some reason it must convey meaning, I used it to see what it could possibly bring. Who would ever thought it could bring us together again. I say nincompooop predictability has had its finest hour (I studied in England also.) Your response to my posts are consistant though mostly gobbledegoop.
Oh Brother
My job here is done. En general, fue un buen trabajo...it was OK.