[Nj_federation_alert] Karen Wall, APP Nails It!!

[ap.maurosr at verizon.net]

The Panter / Karcher team are sending out letters and emails to angler and hunting clubs saying we do not know how to read the bills. Karen Wall of the APP is one sportswomen who is not fooled!

Way to nail it Karen!!
Ant

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071026/SPORTS06/710260378/1021/SPORTS06


Anglers aren't fools
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 10/26/07
BY KAREN E. WALL
STAFF WRITER

Ilooked in the mirror one morning this week and moved my bangs aside.

Unless I am completely blind, the word "STUPID" is not on my forehead. But there are a lot of people who seem to think it's there.

After last week's column, the New Jersey Animal Rights Alliance began attacking the commentary, claiming that hunters are getting us fisherfolk riled up by lying to us.

Apparently the animal rights folks believe we are either incapable of thinking for ourselves or that we are easily duped by others.

Heaven forbid we criticize their plans to take away activities that are recreation for many and livelihoods for a significant number of people in this state. And heaven forbid we criticize them directly on the issue of what the words say.

I happen to have a college degree, and the last time I checked, I'm able to read above a third-grade level. What I criticized last week was neither based on what someone "told me" nor was it based on a misunderstanding, as Assemblyman Michael Panter and state Sen. Ellen Karcher are claiming.

The change that Panter's and Karcher's companion bills, A3275 and S2041, would make is pretty clearly written: They delete the consideration for use and development of fish and game for public recreation and food supply — which as I stated last week is more insidious than simply changing the makeup of those who sit on the Fish and Game Council.

If this bill passes it sets the table for hunting and fishing to be banned in New Jersey. Anyone who tries to claim otherwise is disingenuous.

What's more, the NJARA touts this change on its Web site. If that doesn't make it clear what their agenda is, nothing will.

On Sunday at the Clarksburg Inn in Millstone, a rally of those who support hunting and fishing in New Jersey will be held starting at 4 p.m. If you want to keep these rights, speak up and attend.

And if you want to find out where your local legislator stands on the issue, call or write to them. On the state Legislature's Web site you can access contact information for your legislator (and find out who they are if you don't know). Go to www.njleg.state.nj.us. Ask them. And thell them how you feel.

Don't let anyone try to tell you that we don't understand or make it sound as though we're stupid. We're not.

And don't let them take away your rights.

Keyport ramp closed


The Keyport Harbor Commission has announced that the public boat ramp in Keyport is closed to boaters and will remaim closed until the spring for renovations.

Casting their hopes


Last Saturday, William Kaminskas, 11, of Jackson, and Julia Baran, 10, of Old Bridge, qualified for the state finals of the Casting Kids program run by Bassmaster.

The program teaches kids three freshwater bass casting techniques — flipping, pitching and casting to a target — and then tests their skills.

By winning the local competition, which was held at Manasquan Reservoir in conjunction with the Five Alive Bassmasters' Buddy Bass tournament last Saturday, the two kids earn a berth in the state finals, with a chance at a trip to the national semifinals, which are held in Kissimmee, Fla., each year.

>From there, they could win a chance to spend a day fishing with the pros at the Bassmaster Classic, where they compete for their national title as well.

karenfishes66 at yahoo.com

 


Anthony P. Mauro, Sr.
Chairman, New Jersey Outdoor Alliance http://www.njoutdooralliance.org