National “Watch Out For Politicians” Month

By Dan Rostad, 11-09-07

In the midst of all that this country has to be aware of and concerned about, Montana’s two U.S. Senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, both Democrats, introduced the following resolution on the floor of the Senate in October.

RESOLUTION

Designating May 2008 as ‘National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month’.

Whereas wildlife and wildlife viewing enrich the shared outdoor heritage of the people of the United States;

Whereas it is possible to enjoy wildlife in a way that is prudent, safe, and educational and that has minimal adverse effects on wildlife;

Whereas the people of the United States should be aware of the potential for conflict between humans and wildlife;

Whereas the people of the United States should learn the safety and stewardship techniques that can prevent such conflicts;

Whereas some groups, such as the Center for Wildlife Information and State and Federal wildlife associations, in cooperation with State and Federal wildlife and land management agencies, have taken important proactive steps to create educations toolkits and design programs to educate outdoor enthusiasts; and

Whereas educational efforts can raise awareness of the potential for such conflict, help minimize such conflict, and promote the responsible enjoyment of wildlife: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate designates May 2008 as ‘National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Month’.

Now, let me recap some of the issues that these two Senators might want to be considering, instead of a National Bear Awareness Month: Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, record-high gas prices, no real energy policy except excessive subsidization of feed grains and corn for biofuels, continuing resolutions to fund government since neither the House nor the Senate can agree on a budget, and the list goes on and on and on.

If we, the great masses of Mad Voters in the Rocky Mountain West, who are represented in the Congress by guys like Baucus and Tester, could write our own resolution, it would probably say:

Whereas politicians should behave in a prudent, sane and fruitful way that would have minimal adverse affect on the voters who elect them.

Whereas the people of the United States should be aware of the potential for conflict between voters and United States Senators who have too much free time on their schedules,

Be it resolved that Mad Voters of the Rocky Mountain West, designate November 2008 as “National Watch Out for Politicians Month”.

Please understand that I do appreciate awareness of the dangers of human and bruin interaction in the wild.  In the past month, there have been several bear incidents in Montana where people have been severely injured.

And I am also very sensitive to the needs of wildlife stewardship in the West, where daily the urban sprawl and poor planning create more and more problems between humans and wildlife in the urban interface.

But please tell me what real benefits this resolution will have with these issues, other than clogging up the schedule of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the many more important issues facing this Senate session.

This seems to be nothing more than political fluff that does nothing more than cover up a big pile of bear scat.  Baucus and Tester should be better stewards of the public treasury.

Editor’s note: Dan Rostad’s weekly blogs are part of a new feature on NewWest.Net/Politics called “Diary of a Mad Voter,” a group blog, published in partnership with the Denver Post’s Politics West intended give a glimpse into the hearts and minds of several independent-minded voters and thinkers in the Rocky Mountain West in the ‘08 election cycle. Check back this week at www.newwest.net/madvoter.