Congressman Pearce calls for selling of Public Lands

[Ben Lamb]

Rob Bishop (R-SFW) has been leading the crusade against public lands and public wildlife for a long time. He's got friends. If you think the war on hunters and anglers comes from just the left, you're fooling yourself.

PEARCE: America, each state, the public lands were given back to the states after they were chartered. But in the West, starting with Teddy Roosevelt who had the big ideas of big forests and big national parks, they held that land. And so the next chart shows you the effect on us in the West. Just understand this is the education. The red is of course bad. We’re starved in the West for education funds because of policies that Mitt Romney sat and listened to Rob Bishop and myself explain when it came to Hobbs. He knows that if we want to reverse the trend, we’ll reverse this trend of public ownership of lands starving education.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Gy8HUObKtrU

 

[Big Fin]

If you live in NM and UT, you probably understand just how far out in the weeds Bishop and Pearce are. They also have a lot of friends who might "come out of the closet" following this election with guys from other western states, all of whom I am embarrassed to say, are from the same party I thought I belonged to. Over the last ten years, that party has shown I probably don't belong there, either.

Amazing how any Republican can throw the TR legacy out the window, given the proven model of its success. To say that public lands have no value or are a liability is just flat out ignorant. I doubt we will have to make room on Mount Rushmore for Bishop, Pearce, Rehberg, or any of the other "Sell our public lands" politicians.

I suspect this effort is going to get a lot more attention after the election. Those of us who lean conservatively need to let these screwballs know how we fell about this stupid idea they are promoting. They are more inclined to respond to pressure from those who might be their supporters.

This will be the biggest dividing issue to face the hunting community in my life, if these guys continue to promote this and get their party leaders to turn and look the other way.

Funny how the NRA is endorsing all of these guys, but they do not put one bit of pressure on them with this issue. As a life member of the NRA, that pisses me off. SCI is not silent on the topic, rather actively endorsing these types in the upcoming elections. What is up with that? Evidently SCI guys don't need or use public lands.

I just got back from a cardiology appointment and all was good, so I better close this thread before I create a need to go see him again today.

Idgits. Absolute idgits.

 

[MThuntr]

They also have a lot of friends who might "come out of the closet" following this election with guys from other western states, all of whom I am embarrassed to say, are from the same party I thought I belonged to. Over the last ten years, that party has shown I probably don't belong there, either.

Amazing how any Republican can throw the TR legacy out the window, given the proven model of its success.

Back in the day...which wasn't really long ago I too thought I was a Republican but anymore I find myself disagreeing with them so much that come November my vote is going the other way. Unfortunately, I am represented by an unopposed, outfitter republican (Harris) who is hell bent on messing up a good thing in the Breaks.

 

[Ben Lamb]

SCI's been running ads online supporting Rehberg.

NRA has never stood with MT sportsmen when it comes to access issues. In fact, they generally take the side of outfitters over the resident hunter.

Mellisa Simpson, SCI's lobbyist came from the Oil and Gas cartel, and as one prominent executive in a National Sportsmen's group told me, bills like H.R 1581 were "gifts to her former bosses."

Keep thinking it's the dem's who want to end all hunting. The anti-hunters on the right are laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[sreekers]

The sad part if politics today us that i find myself not in support of either candidate. The draw of the lands in the West is huge, and the loss of it would create a rich mans only game.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Here we go again. It's more of the same lame economic theory that is persuading more and more lifelong Republicans / conservatives to exclaim, "They're making me a Democrat!"

What perplexes me is that those "idgits" seem to ignore the economic impact of recreational and tourism dollars coming into those states with lots of public land for sightseeing, hunting, angling, and other outdoor recreation ... during a time when tourism is gaining equal economic status with the more traditional (agriculture, timber, mining) sources of economic growth. That tourism is dependent on maintaining and nurturing the public lands, wildlife habitiat, and all that goes with it.

 

[Sytes]

This is the worst election in my history of voting. Never has there been such a "craptacular" choice. This election is not about who is best for our country, rather who will do the least damage over the next 4 years. The glass is not 1/2 full...

I have always voted Republican, less Schweitzer. Makes me sick to think of voting for Obama though Repub candidates ranting about our lands and learning the GOP Platform has the same agenda... it makes me just as if not more sick!

I really don't know... I can not believe I would even consider the "affordable care act"... possibly 2 SCOTUS Justices may retire... Just flat out frustrated!

Pull the plug on Obamacare vs pull the plug on our public land?

I think reversing the public land has no chance once checkerboarded whereas Obamacare has a much better chance of salvaging.

Just more a rant from one who has always been a solid conservative slanted Independent.

 

[Ben Lamb]

What perplexes me is that those "idgits" seem to ignore the economic impact of recreational and tourism dollars coming into those states with lots of public land for sightseeing, hunting, angling, and other outdoor recreation ... during a time when tourism is gaining equal economic status with the more traditional (agriculture, timber, mining) sources of economic growth. That tourism is dependent on maintaining and nurturing the public lands, wildlife habitiat, and all that goes with it.

The outdoor industry doesn't donate to politicians in the same capacity as the extractive industries do. You can't buy a politician with a rifle or a scope. You can with sacks full of benjamins though.

 

[nidahunter]

Makes me glad I dont have kids. They may not have much by the time they would be old enough to use it.

 

[jryoung]

The outdoor industry doesn't donate to politicians in the same capacity as the extractive industries do. You can't buy a politician with a rifle or a scope. You can with sacks full of benjamins though.

Worse yet you can deceive hunting votes with a picture like this.

 

[Oak]

The NWF asked Ryan to clarify his position on public lands....

 

[Ben Lamb]

Some days, I really love the NWF.

 

[ihuntelk]

Morally (mine! Not trying to push mine on you!), I can't vote for Obama but Mitt scares me to death on the Public Land issue.

I can only imagine how much Kool-Aid The Don was putting in his water on their Montana moose, I mean elk hunt last year. :hump:

With 4 up and coming huntress's (Yup - 4 girls!) I really hope there is some public land available for them and their kids and ..............

So what do we do? Wait until the election and if Mitt wins then contact our reps? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
-Cade
www.HuntForeverWest.com

 

[Ben Lamb]

Wyoming will go for Romney with about 75% of the vote. Vote your conscience.

They key to maintaining the legacy is defending the legacy. Be ready to fight when they try and push forward bad bills again; like Barrasso's version of the Roadless and Wilderness Area Release Act.

 

[Eric Albus]

Good grief. Just read that DU proposes to support APR, APF. DU just ended any support from us, which has been substantial the last few years.
If any of you think that supporting Obama or any Dem. is going to protect your "heritage" think again. My guess is that when Obama(hopefully) goes out in Nov., that he will sign the antiqueties act and turn NE Montana into a buffalo park. To some this may sound great. For those of us who live here not so great. Hopefully none are stupid enough to think that the APF will allow hunting to continue...they will for a few years, until their wolf/grizzly bear populations expand enough to control numbers of bison, elk, deer and antelope. This comes direct from the top. Hunting will not be needed once things are "in balance".
Romney is not a great choice, but he is the only choice...unless you are a socialist, and do not believe in what the U.S.A. was founded on.
Eric Albus

 

[Craig S.]

Politics are way above my brain's capability anymore. I chose to be a member of neither party, because they are both hiding their true agendas. I am sure there are some great people out there in the early stages of their career, but once they get to a certain point they are consumed by the LEFT & RIGHT WING hidden agendas.

I don't get the parties and never will! NEVER! I am one person and choose to vote for whom I believe is the better choice, because of these so-called parties I don't EVEN have a choice when it comes to who gets on the ballot.

Honestly, I haven't followed the Federal Public Land topic. It's something that on the surface doesn't sound outrages (being honest), but I am sure as some have stated, there are hidden agendas. *Just watched the YouTube video and what the hell is he talking about. Big tracks of public land are a good thing, checkerboard lands are the PIA and we have plenty of those in AZ!!!

I am not that good of a historian either, so I will have to really dedicate sometime to review this issue. Thanks for posting about it.

Craig Steele
http://OutdoorsmansResourceGuide.com

 

[StrutNut]

Funny how a few states away is so different. Here in MN I believe it was the Dems that paved the way for the selling of public lands, which they have done. We have lost a few Wildlife Management areas to sale. Also, it was the Dems that kept road blocking the MN Clean Water Restoration Act that finally after years of attempts passes only with a rider that also gives money to the arts community. Public land issue aside I am a Recruiter. I make money by helping others find work. These last 3 years have not been the best for me or the company I work for. I just got a $500 - $700 monthly cut in income. Fun times as hunting season has started. I cant afford another 4 years of this economy. I have no faith in the Obama team to correct this economy. There are many factors to consider for both local and national politicians. I would be very opposed on a local level to any politician, R or D that opposed my way of living or my ability to make a living.

Not a fan of Mitt. I do like his choice for VP. Nice to see a hunter in there again. Still not ideal candidates but they never are. As always, going to choose the lesser of two evils but I will again, do my duty and vote.

 

[Craig S.]

Just read the Outdoor Life column. Good stuff. This is exactly why I don't vote on parties. I vote for people.

 

[shoots-straight]

Good grief. Just read that DU proposes to support APR, APF. DU just ended any support from us, which has been substantial the last few years.
If any of you think that supporting Obama or any Dem. is going to protect your "heritage" think again. My guess is that when Obama(hopefully) goes out in Nov., that he will sign the antiqueties act and turn NE Montana into a buffalo park. To some this may sound great. For those of us who live here not so great. Hopefully none are stupid enough to think that the APF will allow hunting to continue...they will for a few years, until their wolf/grizzly bear populations expand enough to control numbers of bison, elk, deer and antelope. This comes direct from the top. Hunting will not be needed once things are "in balance".
Romney is not a great choice, but he is the only choice...unless you are a socialist, and do not believe in what the U.S.A. was founded on.
Eric Albus

"Good grief" is right! Isn't APF a private company, slash, organization? If it was the Montana Outfitters Ass. buying up land to hunt, I'd bet you'd be all over that! Oh but wait, you lease lands just for your clients to hunt, isn't that somewhat the same? Their purchasing it so they can restore the lands and put it back to a somewhat prestine state.

Someone once said "Hypocrisy knows no bounds". Applys to our right wing brothers.

You need to get away from Eastern Montana a little bit more!

 

[Eric Albus]

Never said, and never will say the APR or APF have no right to buy property. Never have and never would say an individual has no right to sell to them either.

Their (they're) purchasing it so they can restore the lands and put it back to a somewhat prestine(pristine) state. So, you are for the APF buying these lands? The folks here in Eastern MT(where I think I will stay) are certainly not....in fact there were 52 of them in the last Phillips/Valley County papers that just shut hunting down because of the bison debacle.....ranches that have always historically welcomed the public to hunt.
The grand plan is to have a park or reserve with no hunting allowed. I know a guy in high up in the APF, and this comes from him. Do you think the Defenders of Wildlife(who coincidentally paid for the shaggies transportation to Ft. Peck) are pro-hunting?