The Struggle Not Over

[rFisherk]

Thanks to the political activism of concerned sportsmen/women and conservation minded citizens, the all out assault on the MDC and conservation in general was halted, but it's not over. The end of the legislative session is just a breather of sorts. Toward the end of the session, the DNR was under attack also.

I still have grave concerns about HB955 as amended, because it would still change the property line from the high-water mark to the low-water mark, and I believe it would still make every gravel bar along the various float streams off limits for camping, shore lunches, potty breaks, etc. Since float camping is my favorite thing, if such a bill becomes law, I'll probably move to another state.

[ness]

Yeah, none of the big, crazy bills even got voted on.

We were told they would surely reach the floor because the people backing them also controlled the committees that decided what went to a vote (which I questioned at the time). So that doesn't square, right?

I'm all for raising the alarm, but we need to be careful not to cry wolf.

[rFisherk]

Many, if not most, of those bill would have made it to the floor if it hadn't been for "crying wolf." When is the time? After they pass and become law?

No one was "crying wolf" when the bill to reclassify deer as livestock passed both houses, but was thankfully vetoed by the Governor. Had it not been for conscious people crying wolf at that point, the vote to override the veto would have passed. As it was, it only failed by one vote.

Do you think I made up the fact that some of the bill's authors also served on the committees that recommended them for a floor vote? Do you think I would lie about such a thing? It seems like a conflict of interest, but it is true.

Instead of accusations and innuendos, maybe you should track some of these bills yourself. Even though you're not even from Missouri, it is a matter of public record.

Do you think I do this to get attention? To sound smart, or smug? To be an online bully? Believe me, I don't need it, or want it--especially on a site that belittles one for trying to preserve our natural heritage.

Many conscientious members here contacted their representatives, spread the word to their friends and even went to the capitol, and I want to thank every one of them, because without them applying political pressure, I'm sure many of these bill would have gone to the floor for a vote--and some of them would have passed.

It is the general apathy you display that these legislators count on. In this legislative session alone, there were at least 14 bills aimed at the MDC and conservation in general. That's not like the one or two during past years. Conservation and citizen's rights to enjoy our natural resources Aare under a nation-wide attack, because they owe their souls to big business, and they think the general populace is too stupid or unconcerned to unify on a political front and "cry wolf."

[rps]

Many, if not most, of those bill would have made it to the floor if it hadn't been for "crying wolf." When is the time? After they pass and become law?

No one was "crying wolf" when the bill to reclassify deer as livestock passed both houses, but was thankfully vetoed by the Governor. Had it not been for conscious people crying wolf at that point, the vote to override the veto would have passed. As it was, it only failed by one vote.

Do you think I made up the fact that some of the bill's authors also served on the committees that recommended them for a floor vote? Do you think I would lie about such a thing? It seems like a conflict of interest, but it is true.

Instead of accusations and innuendos, maybe you should track some of these bills yourself. Even though you're not even from Missouri, it is a matter of public record.

Do you think I do this to get attention? To sound smart, or smug? To be an online bully? Believe me, I don't need it, or want it--especially on a site that belittles one for trying to preserve our natural heritage.

Many conscientious members here contacted their representatives, spread the word to their friends and even went to the capitol, and I want to thank every one of them, because without them applying political pressure, I'm sure many of these bill would have gone to the floor for a vote--and some of them would have passed.

It is the general apathy you display that these legislators count on. In this legislative session alone, there were at least 14 bills aimed at the MDC and conservation in general. That's not like the one or two during past years. Conservation and citizen's rights to enjoy our natural resources Aare under a nation-wide attack, because they owe their souls to big business, and they think the general populace is too stupid or unconcerned to unify on a political front and "cry wolf."

I thank you for your attention to the nefarious workings of the what Frosty Troy in Oklahoma use to call "the Ledge." It does not take much money or influence to change the world at the state level, and all of us need to remain vigilant.

[ness]

Nobody's belittling you or calling you a liar, Ron. Especially me.

I just think some caution is in order. Exagerrating the message can encourage apathy too.

[Old plug]

I am not going to vote for any of those constitional amendments. They has some dozies in there.

[ness]

Thanks to the political activism of concerned sportsmen/women and conservation minded citizens, the all out assault on the MDC and conservation in general was halted, but it's not over.

Do we have something to substantiate this claim?

I'm not trying to be obstinate, but if we buy off on this claim we will rely on it in the future. If it's not the deciding factor, well, we're exposed.

[Gavin]

It's never gonna be over. The pols from both parties want MDC's sales tax money. Not going to go away, but i don't get that worked up about it. Update your annual emails voicing your disapprovals and you done. Maybe 10 minutes 3-4 times a year.

[ness]

It's never gonna be over. The pols from both parties want MDC's sales tax money. Not going to go away, but i don't get that worked up about it. Update your annual emails voicing your disapprovals and you done. Maybe 10 minutes 3-4 times a year.

Yeah, I e-mailed Munzinger a few months back and did just that.

Many conscientious members here contacted their representatives, spread the word to their friends and even went to the capitol, and I want to thank every one of them,

You're welcome.

[ozark trout fisher]

Yeah, none of the big, crazy bills even got voted on.

We were told they would surely reach the floor because the people backing them also controlled the committees that decided what went to a vote (which I questioned at the time). So that doesn't square, right?

I'm all for raising the alarm, but we need to be careful not to cry wolf.

Ness, I know you're on the right side of this, so don't take what I'm about to say for more than what it is.

That said, I think this statement is really, really off-base. Just because the actions of concerned citizens had the desired result (or, at the very least, played a part in reaching that conclusion) doesn't mean the actions and the calls to it were not justified. Do I think that those of us who went to Jeff City, contacted representatives, etc. were the sole cause of these bills never getting anywhere? No, probably not. But can we be confident that such a strong reaction helped tip the scales in that direction? That's not a stretch.

One more point: I understand why it seems that we are constantly "crying wolf." Conservation organizations, posters here, and anyone else concerned with conservation in this state are constantly posting about this bill or that bill which has the potential to have dramatic, negative impacts on sportsmen. But that's because these bills are always out there, and always have some level of support. We've had a number of issues, such as the one regarding captive cervids, that did indeed reach the final safeguard, a veto that, if elections go the way I figure, won't be a safety-net much longer. The threats are constant, some more immediate and likely to "succeed" than others, but all real and most potentially disastrous. Letting our guard down will not do, even if it seems over the top.

Beyond that, I can only thank Ron for keeping this stuff at the headlines of a site that sees as many (hopefully) concerned viewers as about any other in the state. If there is one way a community like this can truly be a net positive, that would be it.