Filthy Lucre Wins

MSU DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Dark Ages Continue

get what you pay for

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.. As long as football clouds the minds of the Montana State University community, and as long as CTE appears to be migrating from football players to the university administration, Montana residents will continue to get their money's worth.
.. Waded Cruzado, president of MSU, has a salary ranked 167 out of 212 college presidents surveyed by the Chronicle of Higher Education, (LINK-1.)
.. Now she and her board and the state sponsored blind eye are allowing money, (again,) to win the battle against integrity that MSU continues to wage.
.. Greg Gianforte, (who believes dinosaurs lived with Adam and Eve just 4,000 years ago,) a candidate for governor of Montana has bought his name on a building at MSU for $8,000,000.00.
.. Students have challenged this action based on his support for hate groups, (LINK-2.) They feel that the naming would violate the values of the university and amount to an institutional level of acceptance of discrimination and hatred.
.. Cruzado and the board reject the students concerns out of hand and opt for money rather than integrity and the moral high ground.
.. This action is just the latest in a long list of how money rules over sanity and integrity in Montana. It seems that Gianforte and the citizens of Montana are both getting what they pay for.
.. See the video HERE. ==> The comments are worth the time!

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FISH SLAYER

Post Scriptum: Rain, on and off, continues along with slowly falling temperatures.
.. This is a sure sign that the faithful will enjoy good catching on both the Madison River and the Firehole River come Saturday.
.. Top water fishers will persist in the madness of seeking fish with specks of stuff that are invisible at a distance of twenty feet. Others will use the tried and true fish slayers of the Firehole.

MORNING GLORY

.. Connoisseurship and guru worship continue to govern the mindset of the hoards as they stream to the streams. With any luck at all there will be hatches of itty bittys to exploit. They shall be rewarded.
.. Hard as it is to distinguish a sipping trout from rain and hail pelting the water, it will serve the visitor well to pause and survey the stream before galumphing into the water - weather be damned.

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WALLPAPER:  BAD 4 U

Short Time Coming

KISS YOUR FELT GOODBYE

And Your Ass Too ?

will you sterilize your rubbers ?

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.. Briefly: Montana introduces legislation to ban felt soled waders. Check out the posts at The Trout Underground and comments at The Headhunter. Read carefully the comment by Earl James. We're not home free yet!

.. The tons of soil and supposed included micro organisms moved around by wading fishers is documented in a masters thesis from MSU, (LINK.)
.. The proposed amended Montana Legislation is HERE. And, just like the U.S. Congress exempts itself from many of the laws it makes, Montana exempts it's employees and emergency personnel from the ban. Is there a message here?
.. We're sure that this is not a cure all; and, further believe that the wader manufacturers still need to go a long way into providing better gripping rubber, (or whatever,) soles.
.. We predict that sales of the wading staff will skyrocket in the near future.
.. We also predict that there will now be less cleaning of wading gear, (including the newly-sold wading staffs,) than prior to the legislation
.. How about some legislation mandating the cleaning of wading gear? See how far that boat floats!

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So's You'll Know

FRANKENFISH ABOUT HERE

Frankenfishers To Follow ?

what's next ?

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.. In a June post we noted in our "Pure Shit Department" that transgenic trout would be here before you could blink an eye. It's happening as you read this.
.. According to a recent post in grist the FDA, (yes, our very own,) is about to accept the new fish as just fine for commercial production. These piscene  freaks are about to hit the waterways because of "Junk Science."

.. We, (yes you, your neighbors, our neighbors, and us,) have allowed this to progress to the point of no return by failing to take action to protect our fisheries. This is an invasive species of the most heinous type. This is a threat that can't be solved by the cute switch away from felt soles on waders.
.. When these critters are unleashed in the environment, (despite all assurances to the contrary - can you say Jurassic Park?) they will destroy both fresh water and marine fisheries. This is a situation about to make the BP fuck up fiasco look like child's play.
.. As pointed out in an excellent blog post by Jill Richardson, ". . .  if sloppy and dishonest science is all that's required to pass a product through the U.S. regulatory system, what other disasters lie in our future?"
.. Should you, like us, choose to resist this latest bullshit scientific advance, the FDA is accepting comments about it's stupidity decision. The note in the Federal Register a couple of weeks ago directs us to the morass of red tape we need to negotiate to make a comment.
.. The conscientious efforts of Jill Richardson are laudable and we thank her for a concise statement of the "The Creepy Science Behind Genetically Engineered "Frankenfish" About to Enter Our Food Supply Unlabeled."
.. In a move that shows great insight into the problem, Washington, Oregon, and Maryland have banned genetically altered fish in order to protect their native species. California on the other hand, is set to issue permits for research and production of similar critters - LINK.
.. By the way, if you're not of a contrarian mentality like we are, please read the note on the FDA website about all the wonderful advantages that this development will bring to the world. Yes, our very own FDA just loves this stuff and has been touting it for 5 years. Does something smell fishy to you?
.. Way back in 2006 we noted in a post the attempts of science to produce fish specifically adapted to Yellowstone National Park. That note explored the relationship between the pout fish, ice cream, and life at high temperatures. And the beat goes on!

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.. Change.org and Food & Water Watch have started a petition to curtail this action. This petition takes the form of a letter to the President of the United States. Should you choose to sign the petition to that effect just click on the widget below.

..

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

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.. For their take on the situation read the note HERE.

Did You Know ?

MUY INTERESANTE
..

Bison bison bison

OUR ANNUAL
BISON WARNING

The Rut = Good Fishing

use caution

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This one's for U SUZ !!

Sunday Not Funnies

OUCH !!

We'll Contact You

MUM'S THE WORD

Why The Silence ?

stay tuned

.. According to a story in the RUTLAND HERALD Dick Cheney may or may not be the guest at the $175/plate fundraiser for the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
.. Catherine Comar, executive director of the museum was quoted in the story: "We're not discussing this. We'll contact you when we're ready to discuss the issue. The board (of directors) is having meetings. When we have any information to offer, we'll contact you."
.. We, like the Rutland Herald, are waiting for some information to confirm or deny the veracity of the story that the museum has decided to "Honor" itself with the presence of the former Representative from Wyoming.
.. We're reminded about the recent post in FLY RIVER about the many socio-cultural divisions in fly fishing and wonder just how much this plays into the Cheney flap. Is this story accelerated by the east coast elitists finding a western elitist to rub elbows with? Or is it just that the disparity of ideals and actions is ignored when it comes to gathering up money?

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FOR THE RECORD

.. Cheney's Record [LINK]
.. American Museum of Fly Fishing [LINK]
.. Staff and Directors of the AMFF [LINK]
.. Tickets: AMFF fund raiser at New York Anglers' Club [LINK]
.. New York Anglers' Club restaurant: violations record [LINK]
.. New York Anglers' Club restaurant: information [LINK]
.. Rutland Herald [LINK]

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.. Thanks to the Trout Underground for the tip.

DA DICK

MOLDY & BUSTER ALERT US

Williams Right On

check the Mike Mayer Response
photo courtesy illiterate electorate

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.. The desperate fund raising effort of the American Museum Of Fly Fishing is proceeding apace and their feeble attempt to justify their efforts ignore the damage done by the guest of . . . . . "Honor???"
.. An interesting and insightful response to the Ted Williams piece is excerpted below. "Trout Bums" beware.
.

This situation is a textbook reflection of a much larger and more insidious problem within the "sport" of fly-fishing, specifically that, while fly-fishing does hold within it a rich and honorable tradition of conservation and enlightenment, it also caters to some of the most childish, self-centered, pompous, small-minded, newly rich, rightwing one-generation-from-cracker wannabes (I think I covered it all, but forgive me if I missed any) on the planet. I'm no animal rights activist; I fly-fish and tie flies whenever I get the time; I eat meat and even eat fish, even trout, on occasion; and I even raise a small herd of those damned cattle to help protect my hold on an allotment, although under tight control and certainly never in anything close to riparian habitat.

But, it has always been my belief that, when you take something, you give back and set the stage to keep things whole. So, I have worked hard, used to work harder before the Butch/Sheeney Administration made it seem so futile, to get fly-fishers, trout anglers, to understand that it is only honorable to repay our disturbance of the waters by acting to preserve and conserve the resources, especially the remaining native trout species, from which we derive our pleasure.

A fraction of fly-fishers join me in embracing this obligation; but, more and more, the majority only seem selfishly interested in preserving the populations of feral rainbows and browns that have come to infest their pet streams. The thought of temporarily foregoing a fishing experience in order to remove non-native species and preserve a native trout that should be in the stream is just not a sacrifice that they are willing to even think about. Bob Jacklin's role in coalescing opposition to the renovation of Yellowstone waters is a relatively minor, but clear, example. Their attitude seemed to be "damn the natives; we just want to fish." To the extent that old Sheeney likes to fly-fish, which I am sure is exaggerated for publicity sake, his role in the worst despoiling regime in America's history both illustrates my point and mocks any tradition of honorable sportsmanship that the museum may still want to cling to. ...and I'm not alone in my sentiment.

One of the greatest of America's fly-fishing gurus, a guy who used to tour the conclaves with his buddies in the heyday of the late 80s and early 90s, recently confessed that his love of the sport is tainted today by the hypocrisy of those who profess the sport, but have no clue about the underlying ethics of conservation.

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So be it.

The Senate Deliberates

HOW'S YOUR BILL DOING ?

SB-15 Not Tabled

SB-253 Hearing Today

.. We're watching to see if the walleye becomes a native fish through legislative action and if tips count as wages. The IRS wants you to know.

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.. SB 15 Information
.. SB 253 Information

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The Senator From Sidney

NO ACTION TAKEN YESTERDAY

Walleye Still Waiting

how's your table service ?

.. No action was taken yesterday in the Montana State Legislature on SB-15. This is the bill introduced by Senator DONALD STEINBEISSER (R) of Sidney, Montana. [See previous two posts.]
.. Sidney is a pleasant community just 4.6 miles from the North Dakota border. It's on the banks of the Yellowstone River and most of it's news and activities make the papers in Fargo, and Minot, North Dakota.
.. Senator Steinbeisser, is chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation committee, and a member of the Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs - & - Natural Resources committees. Although he does not fish, he believes that SB-15 will go a long way toward "correcting" the view that trout are the only fish in Montana.
.. His sponsorship of a bill that would deify an invasive species as a native species, and update scientific names is just what could be expected from someone that does not fish, and one who thinks that it's the legislature's place to correct science. [[ Shades of the Butler Act and the Scopes Trial.]] - - - Is there a family resemblance?
.. This gentleman is also the sponsor of a bill, (SB-253,) [[Story in Great Falls tribune,]] that would allow an employer a tip credit to meet the minimum wage for tipped employees.
.. Although the bill is aimed at cutting wages of restaurant staff to somewhere in the $2.50/hr. range (capped at $6.90/hr. and adjusted for tips.) This will have far reaching consequences in all parts of Montana's service centered economy.
.. The bill would allow employers to 'count' tips as wages and reduce salaries accordingly. It also includes provisions to 'update' the reductions on an annual basis.
.. Pause, for just a moment, and consider the results of this mentality on the service sector of the economy in service-centered Montana.
.. Tourism is a giant chunk of our economy. The workers are restaurant staff, pub staff, fishing guides, hunting guides, tour guides, hotel staff, and everyone that strives to make visiting Montana a memorable experience.
.. Will your wait staff have any incentive to serve you diligently if the tip is counted as wages? Will a fishing guide, employed by a feather merchant, have any call to find fish for tips - if the tips are deducted from the standard guide fees? [[See MidCurrent for Tips on tipping.]]
.. Will tour guides bother to enhance your experience if their tip is just 'another day's wage?'
.. The IRS is going to have a field day with this one. Stingy business owners are going to drive away competent help. Why would any competent and thinking service worker bother to excel if the fruit of their efforts just went into their "owner's" pocket instead of their own?
.. If your walleye sandwich falls on the floor between the kitchen and your table, it's going to be picked up and presented just as carelessly as if it didn't fall under the 10-second rule.
.. And, if the fishing guides of Montana have to kick-back their tips to the proprietors of feather bins and hackle racks, you might just as well stay home and fish in the toilet.
.. We're going to follow SB-15 and SB-253. Maybe there will even be a bill to extend the borders of North Dakota just 5 miles to the west. We'd vote for that.

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FOLLOW THIS ONE

WE WERE NOT BELIEVED

Here's The Bill

click on image for large version
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.. "UPDATING SCIENTIFIC NAMES ?????," is this the job of our state legislature????

.. CLICK HERE FOR FULL TEXT {{PDF}}

Let's Have A Sandwich

just what is a local ?

someone from pasadena ?

someone from florida ?

someone from chicago ?

A WALLEYE ??

.. Everyone wants to be a local. Move to Montana, splash around a bunch of money, fence off your stream, build a castle with a 10-car garage and stock it with everything but a pick-um-up, and call yourself a local.
.. And now, there is a bill before our State Legislature to deny science and call the walleye a local. This is akin to making rock snot the state mascot.
.. Bless our legislature. They couldn't even pass a bill that affirmed state law, and now they are revisiting the insanity of defining what is a native fish.
.. The AP reports (via: Trout Underground) that Bob Gilbert, executive director and lobbyist for Walleyes Unlimited of Montana is busy pushing the bill. The walleye organization influenced the bill and will feed legislators fried walleye the night before Thursday's [[ tomorrow's]] hearing.
.. Let's not demean the fish! They're good in a sandwich and very good breaded and fried. But so is an oyster. So is chicken. So, too, is eggplant. So what?
.. If our legislature sells out for a chunk of fried fish you can bet that there will soon be public access to artificial impoundments only!
.. The mind boggles at the possibilities. What will they stoop to next?
.. Would they sell their sister for a meatball sandwich? We wonder what we could get for a 7-course dinner of Soy-Au-Gratin? With all the trimmings of course.
.. Let's concentrate on our real locals. Lets help the Cutts that are being hybridized out of existence. Let's cherish the Grayling. Let's adore the Bull Trout.
.. Let's get a grip and concentrate on the locals. Good grief Mable, let's not add fuel to the conflagration that is destroying fish and fish habitat at an alarming rate for an invasive perch.
.. Maybe the blessed law makers would consider a new flag as well. We'd vote for a $60,000 exotic S.U.V. as the new state new emblem. But rumors abound that there is already a design on the drawing board. We hope not.
.. We're going to have a sandwich. It's free, and it's in Helena.