The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

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Fish are good for the fishing industry

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Seems obvious doesn’t it. If you sell fishing tackle then you want people to buy it. People buy tackle if they think they will catch fish with it. If there are no fish to catch then you don’t sell tackle.

Logically then, the fishing tackle industry should be doing everything they can to protect and enhance the one commodity that makes it all possible, the fish.

But as you will see from Charles Witek’s excellent article, CONSERVATION IS GOOD BUSINESS FOR THE ANGLING INDUSTRY, that is not the case.

Notably the fly-fishing industry, ably represented by AFFTA, is the exception. Their posture reflects the long-held conservation ethos of those who fly-fish.

Vote!

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A lot is at stake on November 6th.

If you don’t vote then you miss the chance to 1) change the make up of our government if you are unhappy or 2) ratify the status quo if you are happy.

But not voting is a shameful, selfish act. You don’t deserve to enjoy of the benefits of citizenship if you are not willing to participate in this most basic civic responsibility.

You can learn more about what at stake by reading US Midterm Elections 2018 – Vote on November 6  from Patagonia.

Want some recommendations on who not to vote for? Look no further than Hatch Magazine’s Dirty dozens: Who to vote out this November (full disclosure I write now and then for Hatch.)

Here are couple people you should vote for: incumbent Sen. Jon Tester in Montana, and Rep. Jacky Rosen, running againt Sen. Dean Heller (R) in Nevada > Patagonia Makes Another Bold Move to Protect Public Lands

Photo Credit: Patagonia

Now get out there and Vote!

From the “why we can’t have nice things file”

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C’mon NYTimes, you can do better than this.

When we try to convince people journalists are not the enemy of the people, this does not help…Get it right or don’t do it.

Editors’ Note: September 14, 2018

An earlier version of this article and headline created an unfair impression about who was responsible for the purchase in question. While Nikki R. Haley is the current ambassador to the United Nations, the decision on leasing the ambassador’s residence and purchasing the curtains was made during the Obama administration, according to current and former officials. The article should not have focused on Ms. Haley, nor should a picture of her have been used. The article and headline have now been edited to reflect those concerns, and the picture has been removed.

 

Source: State Department Spent $52,701 on Curtains for Residence of U.N. Envoy – The New York Times

Updates:

Media critic Eric Wemple weighs in the same day with an op/ed in the Times:

Backlash to the initial New York Times presentation has been robust, as well it should be. There are plenty of examples of bona fide Trump-era abuses of taxpayer money — see Scott Pruitt’s strange security purchases and Tom Price’s travel expenses. No need to fashion a headline suggesting that Haley belongs to that group.”

Source: New York Times wrongs Nikki Haley with curtain headline

And you people are not helping either:

Reporters in Hurricane Florence, please stop acting like you’re hanging on for dear life

The WaPo takes a look:

New York Times backtracks on a tale about some expensive curtains

 

Fighting words from Chuck Todd

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Chuck Todd writes in the Atlantic:

“American democracy requires a functioning press that informs voters and creates a shared set of facts. If journalists are going to defend the integrity of their work, and the role it plays in sustaining democracy, we’re going to need to start fighting back.”

Worth the read and importantly, time to take some action.

“I’m not advocating for a more activist press in the political sense, but for a more aggressive one. That means having a lower tolerance for talking points, and a greater willingness to speak plain truths. It means not allowing ourselves to be spun, and not giving guests or sources a platform to spin our readers and viewers, even if that angers them. Access isn’t journalism’s holy grail—facts are. ”

Source: Chuck Todd: It’s Time for the Press to Fight Back – The Atlantic

When Bill McRaven speaks we damn sure should listen

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When Trump yanked former CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance it provoked a response from someone of unimpeachable character, Willaim H. McRaven. McRaven is a retired  Navy SEAL Admiral who is an exemplar of all that is contained in that title. When he is pushed so hard he has to take to the paper of record in the nation’s capital to respond then we a) should take the time to read his words, and b) heed their call. Bravo Zulu Admiral!

Dear Mr. President:

Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.

Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.

Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs.

A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.

Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation.

If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.

Source: William H. McRaven: Revoke my security clearance, too, Mr. President – The Washington Post