Things to watch

[lyteline]

Indiana has halted their program due to the uncertainy of federal funds that may or may not be available...

[HB2]

All of this is the direct result of unchecked corruption and pork barrel spending gone unchecked for decades . The country is in debt up to it's eyeballs because of it and now every dime has to be scrutinized and pinched to get it under control . And yes , we may loose funding for some of the things we love  ,but thats what happens . 

 

I really don't think some of you guys know and understand where the money to fund the national and state budgets comes from . 

 

That convict thing really didn't work out to well . How much did all that cost taxpayers ? There's your carp money right there most likely . And who were the real convicts in that situation ? 

 

I talked to the DEC lamprey booth people at the Niagara show and asked them if Sandy in Hamlin was going to get treated this year . They did not know and couldn't tell me and directed me to some website . Now don't you think that if you were at a show like that , you would prepare yourself to answer a simple  question like that ? And I'm supposed to have confidence they are doing the right thing ? 

[fisherdude]

No federal funding to the states  means higher state tax . States need to cancel all funding across the board . No fix nothing. Kids in school , no  school sports Etc no food pantries no nothing cancel every thing .

  Long live the king !

[Gill-T]

  On 2/18/2025 at 10:27 AM, HB2 said:

 

 

I talked to the DEC lamprey booth people at the Niagara show and asked them if Sandy in Hamlin was going to get treated this year . They did not know and couldn't tell me and directed me to some website . Now don't you think that if you were at a show like that , you would prepare yourself to answer a simple  question like that ? And I'm supposed to have confidence they are doing the right thing ? 

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they don’t know because they don’t know. Despite the courts blocking trump’s executive order to hold grant money, grant money still cannot be accessed. There will be a ton of businesses that will be closing up shop in short order. We are about to face a healthcare crisis, especially in rural areas. 

[Between the lakes]

  On 2/17/2025 at 10:43 AM, HB2 said:

The way we have been doing things the last let's say 30 years isn't working . Or at least it is making the country go broke . The Gov is excessively bloated .A lot of people are getting rich making bad deals that don't help American citizens .  Can't keep coming to the taxpayers or borrowing to fund this stuff. 

 

When Gov decides to invest in projects , it needs to get a return on investment in some way . Take our Lake Ontario fishery . The money it puts out to build and maintain the hatchery , it's staff and to monitor and maintain the lake need to generate enough tax revenue to sustain it , which I think it does . 

We have a football stadium we funded ( and I have me thoughts on that ) will it do the same ? 

 

I don't think my sister in laws dept will be cut anytime soon . It's pretty important . And her job isn't hiring ,and she would fire most of these clowns  this morning . 

 

Also in 1979 we were ranked #1 in the world in education . Then the Dept of Education( which should have been named Dept of indoctrination and social engineering) was formed . We spend more on education than any country and are ranked # 40 now . And somehow , that's nobody's fault . 

 

 

Also hiring should be done on merit . Not by the other crap that has been going on . Ask the air traffic controllers for one . 

 

Charts ,graphs , statistics  etc ,etc ,by highly educated  people that think they know better are why we are in this F...n mess . Absolutely no common sense . 

 

Hopefully after the Fed audit ,which was long overdue , things will get better . 

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You cant and shouldn't run the government like a business. That makes the government the boss and the taxpayer the employee. It should be the other way around. If all they are judged by is "making a profit" Then you know the citizens are going without so the government can be profitable. The government should be there to serve all the people not just those that can afford the services provided through taxation. This isn't really an audit. Audits require professional auditors and a review of the findings. Right now this is just somebody pointing out things they don't like and calling it fraud.

[Gator]

I think that there's an assumption that everything will be scrutinized closely for waste. This is mistaken. What's happening now, and we've only seen the tip of the iceberg, is that federal employees are being fired simply because they are in a probationary period and they are vulnerable. Moreover, this means that if you took a new position within an agency where you've served for 30 years, you're fired. I have some insight into what's happening now at NIH and it's not pretty. They are losing the best of the best. It's not scrutiny, it's wholesale slaughter. Since nothing can be legally scheduled unless it's in the Federal Registry, all grant reviews, council meetings, any forum where the institutes might push back are illegal. There has been a mass call for resignations at the top. As a biomedical researcher, it's catastrophic. As an American, it's mind boggling to me that anyone would support this. It will filter down, and things will not be better for it.

 

Before anybody tees off on me, remember my friends, I'm conservative and a Republican. This is not a liberal attacking from the outside. This is an independent thinker who is horrified by what's happening. Yes, I have a vested interest, but those who know me know that I always try to put others before myself. As I said, I know what's going on at NIH. I'm hearing that the same is true nearly everywhere, including national parks, federally funded conservation or research organizations, ad nauseum. 

 

I really want what's best for the country, I just can't see how we get from here to there. 

[LongLine]

The convict thing would have more than paid for itself and returned a "profit" if the fines had been paid. Those alone would  have paid for the carp projects in Illinois and Indiana.  So who really lost that money?

 

It's  "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..."  NOT "We the People of the United States, in Order to make profit..."  Democracy is a political system whereas Capitalism is an economic system. 

 

I suppose you could ask a doctor about scheduling surgery but he'd probably refer you to a better source such as the hospital's scheduler.

 

Having personally observed a few "buyouts," it's usually been the best people that take them. A lot of knowledge is always lost which can only be regained the hard way.   How much fishing knowledge have you gained from reading/conversing to members of this site?

 

I agree with "Those stinky fish are a waste."  ..... or was the reference to the asian carp?    

[HB2]

Excuse me , but how many trillions  is this country in debt ? And where is all this money to pay it off supposed to come from ? Print some more money ? Borrow more from China ? At some point the interest on the debt will be more than the country brings in in taxes . Then what? 

 

This country for to long has thrown money at problems without addressing the reason for the problems . And a lot of people are getting rich from it . And finally someone took some initiative to maybe save us from financial ruin . And it's probably going to hurt for a while . 

 

Private businesses go under every day and employees are fired or layed off with nothing but unemployment . Gov  workers furloughed  are getting 8 months severance pay . And if they are qualified , they should have no problem finding other employment . 

 

How does this affect our fishing?  When we HAVE to cut , guess what will be first . 

 

The DEC lamprey folks were not real helpfull . I would think that a treatment schedule has been set for when and where a while back before all this . I expect better . 

 

 

Edited February 18 by HB2

[Gator]

It's not a question of reducing funding. There's no doubt that fiscal responsibility means cutting costs. What's alarming is the haphazard way this is being accomplished. When you get a sinus infection, do you cut off your head? This administration is creating a power vacuum by demanding the resignation of highly trained folks, many of who've done a fantastic job over the years. Congressional appropriations? Most scientists don't have a clue. They're just concerned about being able keep the lights on, and this multi-pronged attack on science (forced resignations, indiscriminate layoffs, and a blanket 15% F&A cap) means they won't. 

 

It's like Thanos in the Endgame... with the premise that if you eliminate half the universe's population, the problem is instantly solved. But maybe it's not that simple. What if you're throwing the baby away with the bathwater? Could it be that there's some unknown reason this is happening? IDK...

 

 

Great intention, horrible flawed execution.

 

 

[rolmops]

I think that you all are misreading what is happening here. What I see is a repetition of the pre-worldwar 2 socioeconomic reality. Except that this time it is artificially created by deliberately sowing chaos. Thereby making the country ungovernable and getting it ready for a strong man to "save us all" from disaster. Along the way we'll betray a few friends and throw a few of them to the trash bin of history, so we can make a bit more money and stroke our narcissistic ego. It will not be long now before a scapegoat is picked so the the blood lust of the crowd can be appeased by letting them loose  on that scapegoat.

But just remember, that repetition of history can only happen if we allow it to. So my advise is to go out and explain to as many people as possible that their rights and freedoms are traded away by a few power sick individuals. Those people will cynically try to make you support them, but they will only use you up and spit you out.

Support the constitution and let nobody take it away from you by making false promises.

Edited February 19 by rolmops

[Gill-T]

I knew it would be a great challenge to get people to try not to turn this thread  into a political fight (myself included in that statement). Before this thread gets locked again, let’s redirect our intentions into providing information on outdoor projects at risk and make sure are doing our part to advocate with our representatives. It is the only way we are going to make a difference (maybe).  

[spoonfed-1]

  On 2/18/2025 at 7:36 PM, Gill-T said:

I knew it would be a great challenge to get people to try not to turn this thread  into a political fight (myself included in that statement). Before this thread gets locked again, let’s redirect our intentions into providing information on outdoor projects at risk and make sure are doing our part to advocate with our representatives. It is the only way we are going to make a difference (maybe).  

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Yup. I've been biting my tongue trying not to get involved and it's been tough LOL.You keep an eye on things and let us know when the bad stuff starts happening. Thanks. I've heard it all in 2017 and the bad stuff never started happening.

Edited February 18 by spoonfed-1

[Gator]

Apologies for the hijack. Myself and colleagues at the local and international level are in deep crisis, but that's not what this thread is about. I really, really appreciate that those with alternative viewpoints, which I respect, aren't piling on. Thank you.

 

I watched The Fish Thief on Amazon yesterday as was recommended via a different thread here, and I learned a bunch of new stuff about the lamprey control program in the Great Lakes. It's a bit slow to start, but narration by JK Simmons fills the gaps. As a researcher, I'm amazed that they simply tested thousands of compounds by putting them into a vat containing two fish and two lamprey, then assessed selectivity by how quickly it killed each species. And the chemical they came up with, TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol), is still used to this day.

 

As an aside for anyone who's interested, nitrophenols uncouple mitochondria so they waste energy, which dissipates as heat. 50 years ago, dinitrophenol was hailed as a weight loss drug for this reason, until folks started keeling over from heat exhaustion and stroke!!! Today, DNP is being tested to treat many neurodegenerative diseases that have a mitochondrial basis such as Parkinson's, obviously at much, much lower doses. The results actually look promising.

 

From lamprey's to Parkinson's. Amazing.

 

The primary reason I mention this is that many of the federally funded aquatic research programs such as the one that discovered TFM are at risk now. Contact your legislator and state your position if you want to have an impact.  

[lyteline]

  On 2/18/2025 at 7:53 PM, spoonfed-1 said:

Yup. I've been biting my tongue trying not to get involved and it's been tough LOL.You keep an eye on things and let us know when the bad stuff starts happening. Thanks. I've heard it all in 2017 and the bad stuff never started happening.

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YOU...Omg Glen...I'm going to need more stents if this continues...Outside of this mess we hope all is well w you n J

[LongLine]

Gator - Thanx for the great info.   I hope you're not affected.

 

Both the Senate & house have a "Great Lakes Task Force."  NY Senate members are Schumer & Gillibrand.  NY House members are Kennedy, Langworthy, Morelli and Tenney. Email addresses follow this format: "morelli.house.gov"

 

Think Spring!

[HB2]

37 trillion in debt . What's the interest on  that ? Where is that money coming from ? I can't seem to get an answer on that . Probably because nobody  wants to accept the fact it's us . Both parties spent with no regard for fiscal responsibility. 

 

This is not a political issue . It's an American issue . 

 

40 k employees fired , quit or whatever . At 150 k ( probably way more when you factor everything in )  with benefits , retirement , payroll taxes and comp .

That's  6 billion+  . 

 

That my friends is the issue . 

 

Who will be the first one caught with their hand in the cookie jar ? 

 

 

[whaler1]

lol party on boys, I’m not even reading this thread. 

[JPK]

I have tried to increase membership awareness of Assembly Bill A888 for the purpose of developing factual arguements to oppose it's movement through the legislative process but it seems after reading this thread that the "gate for the corral has been opened". The demographic population of outdoor sportsmen and women in this state based on license sales is declining. Read the January 15th USFW report concerning the allocation of funds from the Pittman-Robertson Act. Look at the link below and take a peek at Assembly Bill 3330 sponsored by Alex Bores  District 73 if you use live bait.

Opinions are powerful and sometimes well directed. Contact and guide the political representatives responsible for supporting our life long outdoor interest with your well thought out arguments.

 

https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/csf-launches-free-interactive-legislative-and-regulatory-tracking-service/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4ed31459-2

[rolmops]

  On 2/18/2025 at 8:42 PM, Gator said:

Apologies for the hijack. Myself and colleagues at the local and international level are in deep crisis, but that's not what this thread is about. I really, really appreciate that those with alternative viewpoints, which I respect, aren't piling on. Thank you.

 

I watched The Fish Thief on Amazon yesterday as was recommended via a different thread here, and I learned a bunch of new stuff about the lamprey control program in the Great Lakes. It's a bit slow to start, but narration by JK Simmons fills the gaps. As a researcher, I'm amazed that they simply tested thousands of compounds by putting them into a vat containing two fish and two lamprey, then assessed selectivity by how quickly it killed each species. And the chemical they came up with, TFM (3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol), is still used to this day.

 

As an aside for anyone who's interested, nitrophenols uncouple mitochondria so they waste energy, which dissipates as heat. 50 years ago, dinitrophenol was hailed as a weight loss drug for this reason, until folks started keeling over from heat exhaustion and stroke!!! Today, DNP is being tested to treat many neurodegenerative diseases that have a mitochondrial basis such as Parkinson's, obviously at much, much lower doses. The results actually look promising.

 

From lamprey's to Parkinson's. Amazing.

 

The primary reason I mention this is that many of the federally funded aquatic research programs such as the one that discovered TFM are at risk now. Contact your legislator and state your position if you want to have an impact.  

Expand  

It's been a while since I was involved in the microbiology of the cell ( on a primitive level) but I clearly remember the mood at the chemistry department on the River Campus the last time The NIH grant money was frozen while at the same time the Lazer Lab was in danger of closing down. People were down right discouraged and people lost their jobs. My wife had sleepless nights seeing all her grant work evaporating and promising scientists abandoning research. At the same time China increased its research budgets and lots of Indian and Chinese promising scientists chose to go to or stay in China. Why are we mutilating ourselves? I wish you strength.

Edited February 19 by rolmops

[Gill-T]

  On 2/19/2025 at 12:51 AM, JPK said:

I have tried to increase membership awareness of Assembly Bill A888 for the purpose of developing factual arguements to oppose it's movement through the legislative process but it seems after reading this thread that the "gate for the corral has been opened". The demographic population of outdoor sportsmen and women in this state based on license sales is declining. Read the January 15th USFW report concerning the allocation of funds from the Pittman-Robertson Act. Look at the link below and take a peek at Assembly Bill 3330 sponsored by Alex Bores  District 73 if you use live bait.

Opinions are powerful and sometimes well directed. Contact and guide the political representatives responsible for supporting our life long outdoor interest with your well thought out arguments.

 

https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/csf-launches-free-interactive-legislative-and-regulatory-tracking-service/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=4ed31459-2

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https://www.outdoornews.com

 

another alternative 

[Gill-T]

Two year subscription is $61 for the Outdoor News. The cost of one meat rig combo. 

[LongLine]

Gill-T,  That's the Brandon Road project.

[Gill-T]

The Outdoor News plug is because they do a good job of covering all things outdoors that is facing legislative challenges. 

Edited February 19 by Gill-T

[LongLine]

Gill-T,  Heh, heh, heh.  yes they do a good job.

 

A3330 goal is to prevent anyone importing LIVE baitfish into NYS.  i.e. LIVE minnows from out of state can't be used in NYS. Any live minnows have to have been from NYS waters.  Also adds an enforcement/penalty.  It was referred to the state assembly conservation committee. I believe we already have restrictions on live bait fish.

[Gator]

I'll second Gill's Outdoor News recommendation! It's a great way to stay on top of local news, and it's plugged into a larger network. Their online presence is also tight.