The Middle River Group, LLC

fly fishing, conservation and politics.

Hot Takes & Second Hand Smoke

Offering My Opinion On Fishing Responsibly

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“Anglers, both recreational and commercial, need to take a long view if they want to keep fishing,” Sadler says. “Nobody wants to catch the last fish, but nobody wants to stop fishing either. Something has to give … there is a personal responsibility aspect to it that requires action by everyone.” He adds that “we are at the tipping point where our collective impact on the planet is causing a cascading series of events that are robbing future generations. We need to get a grip on that and start thinking about our grandchildren’s grandchildren — not just our present-day needs.”

Read the InsideHook article, How to Fish the Chesapeake Responsibly, Before It’s Ruined for Everyone.

The post-election political theater has jumped the shark.

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Tom Nichols, writing in the Atlantic, Engaging With Trump’s Die-Hard Supporters Isn’t Productive makes the case for ignoring the conspiracy whack jobs and Trump sycophants and starve them of the attention and notoriety they crave.

Nichols points out that arguing with the delusional is not only a waste of your time, but it gives legitimacy to those beliefs. Seriously, how much time would you give to someone who wanted to argue with you about the composition of the moon? Precious little I’ll wager. Same for the post-election nonsense. 

Nichols also makes an important point out these Trump sycophants. When it comes to programs or policy, there is no there, there. No serious policy or programs underpin Trump’s actions. It is all grievance and disdain. Hardly a path to serious discussions or a better country.

The sooner we refuse to continue such conversations, the sooner we might return to being a serious nation.”

Nichols is right, it’s hurting the country. Time to give it up.

The Threat to Democracy is Real

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I could not say it any better than this.

Never Trumpers didn’t spend four-plus years trashing their careers and alienating their friends because we didn’t like Trump’s “style.” We opposed Trump because we recognized that what he stood for is an existential threat to the American experiment in constitutional democracy. While Trump will be leaving on January 20, the threat remains.

Source: Strengthen the Guardrails of Democracy

Intellectual bankruptcy and moral hypocrisy

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Michael Gerson writing in the opinion section of The Washington Post:

The intellectual bankruptcy and moral hypocrisy of many conservative leaders is stunning. People who claimed to favor limited government now applaud Trump’s use of the executive branch to undermine an election. A similar attempt by Barack Obama would have brought comparisons to Fidel Castro. People who talked endlessly about respecting the Constitution affirm absurd slanders against the constitutional order. People who claimed to be patriots now spread false claims about their country’s fundamental corruption. People who talked of honoring the rule of law now jerk and gyrate according to the whims of a lawless leader.

Read the whole article: The moral hypocrisy of conservative leaders is stunning

Vote Public Lands and Waters

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With any luck this will be my last political post of this election. I hope that you will vote and take advantage of the opportunity we have in this country to make our preference for elected leaders known.

As has been my practice, I’ve written a letter to the editor of my local paper.

The land, water and wild things that inhabit it don’t get to vote, but you do. There is a clear choice with Joe Biden. If you enjoy the great outdoors, especially hunting and fishing on public lands, vote on their behalf and show an understanding and appreciation for the bounty of our public lands.

Read the full letter: https://www.newsleader.com/story/opinion/readers/2020/10/30/our-public-lands-deserve-our-vote/5980029002/

Politics has been a vocation and advocation of mine for more than 40 years. Never has an election in that span of time been more important for the future our country. I’ve made my choice.

To those I angered or annoyed, with my opinions or preferences, I apologize, I hope politics doesn’t define our friendship.

And know this, I will always support the chance for you to make yours.

Elementary

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It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” 

– Arthur Conan Doyle – “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”