Once Again

I declare my undying love for John Edwards. Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities.

Thanks to LITW for calling my attention to this.

I mean, it makes so much SENSE it is ridiculous - AND AND AND it is a presidential candidate address hunting and fishing and the environment. This is so much more than Schweitzer and Tester's campy photos of them wearing an orange vest wielding a brand stinkin new rifle.

There are so many parts of this that I love, it is hard to choose. Let me start here.

Protect America from invasive species: Invasive plants, insects and animals are increasing, partly due to poorly regulated imports. Invasive species cause more than $120 billion in damage annually. Edwards will strengthen the Agriculture Department's ability to protect domestic species from potentially dangerous plant and animal species, including from imports, and provide more resources for interstate inspections. [NPCA, 2007; TNC, 2007]

Weeds people. Weeds.

Create an Outdoor Career Corps: Edwards will address understaffing at conservation agencies in part by expanding the natural resources career programs at 12 rural Job Corps centers nationwide. The programs will connect rural youth to jobs and skills in natural resources management, such as surveying land, preventing and fighting wildfires, and managing species.

Uh! Rural youth! Uh!

Oh and something I don't personally agree with, but I know is a very popular stance in my house.

Protect the Tradition of Responsible Gun Ownership
Edwards hunted when he was young and grew up in rural areas where owning a gun was part of a way of life. He respects that way of life and the individual right to own firearms guaranteed by the Second Amendment. He believes that law-abiding citizens should be able to own firearms to protect themselves and their families, enjoy sport shooting and take part in the time-honored tradition of hunting. At the same time, we've all seen the terrible consequences when guns fall into the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. We can do two things at once: protect gun rights and promote gun safety.

It is like he lives here in Montana and gets it.