Vote the Environment this Tuesday
Monday, November 5, 2012 at 12:00AM
In the run up to this Tuesday's election somwhere in the neighborhood of 2 billion dollars will have been spent by the presidential candidates staking out their positions on various issues. Of that 2 billion virtually nothing has been spent by the campaigns spelling out their man's position on environmental issues, a stunning omission given the threats to clean air, water and public lands. Due to campaign laws many organizations hands are tied when it comes to endorsing specific candidates. Others not bound by those same rules attempt to stake out some sort of middle ground when it comes to the environment and politics. They like to argue that both campaigns silence on environmental issues is somehow a statement on both candidates commitment to protecting the environment. Nothing could be further than the truth.
A brief examination of the stated policy positions of the candidates for President, and their respective party platforms, leaves no room for debate. If you care about protecting the environment you'll cast your vote for Barack Obama. You can debate the other various policy positions of each candidate but in the case of clean air, clean water and protecting public lands the choice is clear. Anyone who claims otherwise, or tries to portray it as some sort of non-partisan debate is either afraid to speak the truth or mis-informed.
While there are many other policy issues one must consider before casting his or her vote, when it comes to the environment the choice is clear. We need leaders committed to protecting the places we live, work, and play. Take these values into the voting booth this Tuesday.
Reader Comments (43)
you are misinformed. any true sportsmen would never be voting for obama. what a fool.
we know you boys are top to bottom leftists wackos. You don't need to hide it. Inf act its a bit refreshing to see it stated as such in one of your posts. usually you just pussy-foot and and hide your opinions behind a thin veil of snark. Prediction: Romney will win, and 4 years from now you will still be fishing.
You're good guys, but wrong on this one. Romney won't do wonders for the environment by any means (although I don't think he's hostile to environmental protections - i think he's focused elsewhere). Obama, however, is actively setting the environmental cause backwards. His EPA is run by a goon-squad (crucify the oil company execs!), which makes even moderates like me dislike the bastards. Obama has set solar policy back years with his sloppy handling of tens of billion$ in solar loans. Obama has no love for sportsmen, viewing us as backwards gun clingers. Finally, broke nations can't afford to protect the environment: plus, for Obama, it doesn't buy him the votes that health care spending does. Paul Ryan is the only outdoorsman in the bunch; get ahold of that guy and explain things to him and maybe we'll all get somewhere.
Hey "informed" - you stated that "No true sportsman would ever be voting for Obama." Can you explain yourself/backup such a vague statement? I fail to see how a love for fishing or hunting lines up with a particular political affiliation.
That is disgusting! Can anyone tell us how Obama has helped our sport or how Romney has hurt it?? Is anyone out there campaigning for dirty air and water-----NO! Does anyone like $4+ gasoline that inhibit us from taking the fishing trips we would like or the fact that we cant find good jobs to support our families?? Does anyone realize that Obama HAS actually planned a ban on sport fishing in order to "protect wildlife"??? LOOK IT UP and you will see for yourself! I am sick of being lied to that Republicans are for dirty air and water that is pure BS!! How about Obama on gun control and the fact that he wants to impose strict regulations that would also hurt hunters and outdoorsman. Again LOOK IT UP-- dont believe this BS!!! And how about our boys oversees??? Obama Lied and Lied and our boys Died in Benghazi! Wake up people Are you better off than you were four yrs ago?? Are you kids futures brighter today than they were four yrs ago?? If your answer is yes go drive your COAL powered Volt to the poll for obama but if you are hinest with yourself and care for your kids and your country vote for Mitt Romney!!!
Moldy stick to fish porn and fly fishing news NOT POLITICS. This blog isn't the right place to broadcast your political views.
Don't get me wrong I love the environment but I think there are some issues that are a little bigger in this election. To name a few.......1. Economy 2. 16 TRILLION in debt.
Obama has done jack shit for the environment. But you sheepeople seem to think he has.
http://www.hcn.org/wotr/obama-disappoints-when-it-comes-to-salmon/print_view
Obama had a chance on the dams.........He did nothing. NOTHING.
This is by far the worst and most inaccurate post I've ever read on Moldy Chum. Aside from all the partisian rhetoric, you flyfishing industry, granola loving, tree hugging wackos, better hope Romney wins...if obama wins, his higher tax rate is going to cut into my descretionary income, which supports your existance. Remember, "It's not personal, it's business." Vote Romney.
if you believe Republican give a shit about the environment...you are ignorant, case closed. History is full of answers that will show this. Obama is no saint...but the republicans are definitely not the answer.
Good job chum. It's funny that any argument against Obama is always rooted in horseshit and a post like this smokes out a lot of the paranoid fantasies du jour. Let's see: he killed our boys in Benghazi, is keeping gas expensive, going to outlaw fishing and renewable energy has been set back by investing in the industry. Brace yourselves, the birther-muslim-socialist-black panther folks are coming.
That's it! I'm never coming back again. I swear! Never, never, ever. Except for friday's pin-up, never! And maybe sunday tuna and a little SOTM voting. But other than that, NEVER!
lot's of ignorance above...
I don't see one reply in your favor. Maybe you should buy a clue. You and yours are those in the way of everything. I will be voting for Romney, so consider your vote cancelled. Obama is as fresh as the fish on the title page of your site.
The fundamentalist ignorance in these comments is nothing short of shocking. But hey, sure, whatever, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt: cantwait2vote, do you have any credible source for this sport fishing ban beyond echos of echos of rumors? I took up your assignment and found plenty of vague references without basis or supporting evidence, and plenty of sound refutations of the claim.
I'd love to see some intelligent discussion on this topic, but these comments sure as hell ain't it, and this has nothing to do with sides. To put forth such absurd claims, along with ridiculous red herring arguments like the $4 gas price (as if a president or his administration somehow set gas prices) cheapens the debate and helps no one but the tinfoil hat vendors.
Oh to have an educated electorate.
Telling it like it is when you know people aren't going to like it. I'll vote the chum fro president.
I'll be fishing in four years but I don't have it as good as my dad did and my kids won't have it as good as I do, unless Rep's start stand up for the enviroment.
•Romney has vowed to protect billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies for Big Oil. [Romney Townhall, 4/10/12]
•Romney would eliminate investments in clean technology – going so far as to suggest clean energy is not “real energy.” [McClatchy, 11/7/11; Columbus Dispatch, 3/5/12]
•Romney has rejected the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and opposes efforts to limit carbon pollution. [Think Progress, 10/28/11;, Politico, 7/18/11]
•Romney stands to benefit greatly from his Big Oil backers, including a $200 million election pledge from the Koch brothers. [Politico, 10/10/11]
Amusing to see all the usual regurgitated bile from the right wingers who haven;t yet managed to connect the dots between their political heroes and and absolutely dismal record on protecting the resources. The irony, indeed, of the the people that use the term "sheeple", which was started by third rate politicians in order to become part of the lexicon of uneducated opposition. Use of the word itself betrays the users want and desire to be lead by the nose.
Obama will win four more years. If you value the outdoors, with anything resembling common sense, you understand, at the very least, this is a victory for the resources we love.
I'm still not hearing you clowns talk about Dam Removal??? Obama had a chance to change Bush policies and he didn't.
http://www.idahorivers.org/news/?id=167&page=press
Yeah I am voting for the environment. Just another one of Obama's failed policies. I'm surprised people are still drinking the Kool-aid.
romney has stated he wants to sell off vast amounts of public land in the west. so much for having public stretches of rivers to fish on if hes elected.
http://www.postindependent.com/article/20121105/VALLEYNEWS/121109936/1083&ParentProfile=1074
Sadly, when faced with a choice between improved economy and improved fishing, I'm going with the economy.
Sorry, Plankton. You go out and wave a stick at some fish. I've got a family to feed.
Thanks for posting the false dilemma. I love fishing and I love the environment. I also love input on specific issues. However, I'm entitled to my own interpretation of the facts. If I vote for Romney, I don't care about the environment? Keep your own dogmatic opinions to yourself. This sort of statement doesn't change anybody's mind. Those that agree with you will give you praise, but those who don't will be turned off from your position. This sort of dogmatic thinking prevents those who disagree from listening to your position and discourages intelligent conversation. You should be ashamed of the damage you are inflicting upon your own cause.
Whoa! Chum touches a nerve.
I come her to GET AWAY from the political BS. I work around these peple all of the time and neither of these sides will help save our environment, only the parts they personally own.
Vote, and vote your conscience, but save your energy and passion for organizations that truly and actively make whatever politician is in power DO YOUR WILL as a constituent. We thrive as Americans in spite of our governments, not because of them.
By the way...Ronald Regan signed more pro-environmental bills (43) than any president in the history of the United States. The Dem's just keep drinking the poison their own party serves them!!!! Brain-washed!
This election is to about the environment 1st. If you think it should be you are lost. This election is about saving our country from a socialist state that the current president is driving us towards. VOTE Romney for our future.