NOAA Facts Forum at the Sheboygan Yacht Club -Part 1 Leslie Kohler introduction

This is the first part of a meeting by NOAA to, ostensibly, quell the natural suspicion arising out of the proposal to allow the federal government, in the form of NOAA, to take over jurisdiction of the section of Lake Michigan along Kewanee, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties by designating it to be a huge marine sanctuary. The title of the meeting - labeling it as a "facts forum" struck this author as a subtle attempt to belittle those who oppose the establishment of the sanctuary, but perhaps it was not intended that way.

This author, along with others opposes this move, although the reasons are a bit more philosophical than those presented by the very good questions that you will see in the final videos - those covering in the Q and A session at the end of the meeting. This blog has also posted video from a meeting held in March to organize some opposition to the proposed sanctuary. (Which was the first time this author had heard about it even though the process has apparently been going on for some years.) That video may be found here. 

There will be several more videos and while there are many noble sentiments expressed, there is much that is left out as to how the stated goals would be achieved  and how the rights of the citizens of Wisconsin may be protected from any incremental encroachment by this agency which has employed unreasonable fines and Memorandums of Understand as unbreakable law to achieve it's ends in the past.

All that said, please do listen with an open mind and a critical ear both for what is said and for what is implied by the speakers to follow. Please also excuse the video quality. There is much shaking as I did not have a tripod or even a monopod to steady my hand because I had been told that no video recording would be allowed except by a specific outfit.

When I arrived, (I had my camera with me as I was taking photos of people who were holding signs at various points around Sheboygan to raise awareness of the issue.) I was told that the objection was due to space limitations and not to prevent journalists -citizen or otherwise from recording it independently. That was not what the e-mail exchange implied and I can post a screen shot of that if anyone is interested.

"So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." ~ Ecc 4:1