Dave, don't worry about the spin-doctors. That's their job, to produce doubt when someone like you is speaking the truth.

A little more about Mark Rutzick:

“It turns out Oregon's Senator Smith was key in appointing the timber industry lobbyist to NOAA Fisheries. The timber lobbyist, Mark Rutzick, lead the timber industry efforts to fight ESA protection for salmon. Which is why Senator Smith and Pres. Bush appointed him to control NOAA Fisheries policies.”

"Mr. Rutzick, a Portland lawyer who was suggested for the fisheries job by Senator Gordon H. Smith, Republican of Oregon, would not comment on his role in shaping government salmon policy. Officials at the fisheries service say Mr. Rutzick was part of a working group that shaped the new plan, but would not give further details.”

I am familiar with Rutzick’s lobbying on behalf of logging interests through the 1990's. Now, he gets to continue advocating for these same interests, but on the public’s dollar, and from within the agency that’s supposed to be protecting the public’s fish. Sad but true - and that is the truth.