Letters

Some fishy plans hatched

To the editor:

I would like to congratulate the CCA on their successful campaign to get President Bush to circumvent the law (Magnuson-Stevens) by designating striped bass and red drum as game fish in federal waters. While I violently disagree with what transpired, credit given where credit is due, they came up with a unique way to push an agenda that couldn’t be done in a more legitimate manner.

That said, I would like to ask my Kool-Aid-drinking CCA fan club to take the next logical step and amend this order to stipulate that all designated game fish be put on a catch-and-release basis. What could be sportier than that? While they are at it, they could extend it to all game fish, state and federal.

In support of this proposal, I offer the following explanation. Can’t we all agree that by definition the Marine resources of the nation are the states belongs to all the tax-paying citizens? That being the case, in the interest of fairness, why should a small minority, i.e. sports fishermen, (news flash, I am also one, but with a distinct aversion to Kool-aid) be able to eat fish that the vast majority (non-fishermen) cannot?

Imagine all the benefit to the living resource by removing human activity as a source of direct fish mortality. I can just hear the joyous strains of “Cum Baya” ringing throughout the land as the “greenies” make their coven-like circles around their campfires. Maybe it would be better if they did this in California so they could combine their fisheries success with their unique approach to forestry management.

In addition, we could save all the money that we now waste on fisheries biologist salaries when their stock answer for everything is “We just don’t know!” Half of this money could be returned to the taxpayer and the rest could be sued to hire more fish cops. This is probably a waste considering the obvious trustworthy nature of the sainted CCA. This program, as intuitive and logical as it is, will need oversight until it can be fully implemented. In that regard, I humbly offer my services for a three-year period, with a salary commensurate with the value of this formidable and important project. I suggest a general fund stipend from all Gulf and Atlantic states augmented by a surcharge on every saltwater license, state or federal. In addition, as the author of this magnificent plan, I think a one-time time in the six- or seven-figure range would be appropriate for this “intellectual property.”

I solicit your support in this noble undertaking, for surely we CAN all get along.

Pete Barber

CEO, President, Head Honcho and sole member of the reality crusade

Conspiracy theories abound

To the editor:

I would like to share information on a new film with your readers that was recommended to me. The online documentary, “Zeitgeist” (2007), can be downloaded and viewed at the following link: http://zeitgeistmovie.com/. This nearly two-hour long conspiracy film is one-part claiming that Christianity is a myth designed to distract and captivate society’s attention while concentrating money and power in the name of Jesus. This film’s unsupported and unsubstantiated explanation to the origins of Christianity made more sense to me than the version that I was repeatedly forced to accept each Sunday morning while growing up.

The second-part claims that 9/11 was just the latest in a series of planned and organized efforts over the last one hundred years by man designed to create a “New World Order” by triggering wars and financial crisis like the Great Depression for the financial gain of a few powerful men. This small, but evolving group has come together to control the key financial mechanism in this country and in a few others over in Europe thus controlling society for the purposes of enriching themselves at the misery and slavery of the masses. This film lists some of history’s usual suspects behind the rigged system – including industrial and financial barrens of the 1920s and now some of their heirs.

Zeitgeist is a fresh, eye-opener and time well spent.

Ted Burnett

Daphne

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