We’ve had a good laugh this week over bear-battlin’ Rep. J. Paul Brown, but at least Brown is in the (vast) minority of Colorado legislators seeking to kill more wild animals.
On Tuesday Idaho Gov. Butch Otter signed legislation declaring the gray wolf in Idaho a “disaster emergency,” which we assume would be right up J. Paul Brown’s alley. From Reuters News Service:
Despite enactment of federal legislation turning wolf control over to state wildlife management and allowing licensed hunting of the animals, Otter welcomed his new authority to bring law enforcement to bear against any wolf threats to humans or livestock.
The gray wolf of the Northern Rockies is about to become the first creature ever taken off the U.S. endangered species list by act of Congress, rather than by scientific review, under a measure inserted into a sweeping budget bill.
The Idaho bill declaring the presence of the gray wolf a disaster emergency was passed by the Republican-controlled state Legislature earlier this month, before de-listing gained final congressional approval in the U.S. Senate last week. De-listing takes effect within 60 days.
Does that seem a bit, oh, extreme to you, too? Here’s Idaho’s Emergency Operations Plan on declaring a “disaster emergency.”
a. The governor may declare that a “disaster emergency” exists by executive order or a proclamation. The declaration continues until the threat has passed, the emergency conditions no longer exist, or until 30 days have passed. The governor may extend the declaration in increments of 30 days until the emergency is resolved. The legislature may terminate a state of disaster emergency at any time (Idaho Code §46-1008).
b. After an enemy attack, the governor may declare, “by order,” a post-attack recovery and rehabilitation emergency. The order does not take effect unless the legislature meets within 45 days. The governor may control and regulate the sale of food and other goods and services and direct the use of material and facilities for essential civil needs.
And if you were wondering, it does appear as though the Governor could call on the National FREAKING Guard to help them with their “wolf emergency.” That could be important, since there are about 700 whole wolves in Idaho, or roughly 1 for every 119 square miles.
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Anyone who’s such a coward that he declares an official State of Emergency over a few mangy wolves poaching on some livestock doesn’t deserve the name “Butch.”
Our agenda consists entirely of snarky insults much like the one you just issued, targeting cowardly faux-kels like Butch. (A real yokel may not do much calculus, but he at least can fire a rifle at a wolf himself rather than calling in the National Guard.)
Current members are dmindgo and myself.
(since I don’t even have a hat), but can I donate?
We accept cash, checks, credit, hay, and good biscuits’n’gravy. Or I do, anyone. I can’t speak for my pardner in grime over there.
It’s been a long day.
Just checked my Old Cowhand Dictionary and there does seem to be quite a difference . . .
In a disturbing kind of way, that is.
…before the wolves impose Sharia law in Boise…or before they start dropping anchor puppies!
On second thought, this is too big for the Guard. It’s time to call in PALIN!
It won’t be very long until the folly of the recent budget rider requiring the removal of gray wolves in the northern Rockies from the endangered species list will be seen for what it is: a folly of the first order.
The fools in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana will write “policy” that amounts to “shoot wolves on sight.” There’s too many ranchers and moron Tea Party people who get their natural resources management ideas from greed or some religious tract.
But, then again, that’s America. We have virtually no historical memory and even less willingness to learn from our mistakes. The gray wolf has already been to the precipice of extinction once and, I’m pretty sure, it’s going to go there again.
Let’s just hope our consistently idiotic politicians might, before we lose this amazing animal for all eternity, decide to listen to the scientists instead of the bribers – oops, campaign contributors.