Thanks, Aunty; that looks like a lot of work unless you've got those links tattooed somewhere handy.

There are some good things in your post that impressed me. I did like the fact that Kerry used a quote from the American Sportfishing Association on the value of our sport in the JohnKerry.com piece. That shows that he recognizes the value we sportfishermen have in the economy.

I was disappointed in the emphasis on commercial fishing, but that's a no-brainer given that Kerry is from Massachusetts, a heavy commercial-fishing state. But one of the benefits from emphasis on restoring commercial fisheries and controlling overharvest is more fish-- a good thing, assuming sport fishermen have a chance to take a whack at 'em.

However, several of the items I looked at were more election rhetoric, and that is something I disagree with-- if for no other reason than some of the items, such as monies obtained from the Department of Commerce, can be claimed by the Bush camp as well. Does this mean that both sides in this election are in agreement on a fisheries issue? And when we look at the announcements of funding, it's simply a matter of spin-- Kennedy and Kerry signed an appropriations bill and announced it. Bush undoubtedly signed the same bill when it came by him as well (or the federal government wouldn't be running right now)-- does this mean all parties should get credit? Like I said, election rhetoric. It does mean something, though, that they recognized the PR value of signing the appropriations bill.

While Kerry seems to be strong on environmental protection and commercial fisheries, I didn't see much but the JohnKerry.com thing about sport fishing.

I would feel a whole lot better about Kerry if he didn't have the strong PETA connection and hadn't used that "every tree is a chapel" line in his acceptance speech. Both of those items throw up red warning flags.

Is it worth my time to provide you with links on Bush's attitude and accomplishments in regards to fish and fisheries? If so, I can probably squeeze some time in tomorrow to dig some up.


Again, thanks,

Keith