Marine Sanctuary or Federal Power Grab?

This  video is a presentation on the current attempt by NOAA to create a Marine Sanctuary in Lake Michigan to protect historic shipwrecks. At least that is the visible part of the iceberg that is NOAA and other federal agencies. What such sanctuaries (and national parks and etc) are actually doing is  seizing control over state resources to the detriment of state sovereignty. 

"There is nothing oftner misleads Men, than a misguided Zeal; it is an ignis fatuus, a false fire, which often leads Men into Boggs and Precipices; it appears in the Night, in dark and ignorant and weak minds, and offers it self a guide to those who have lost their way; it is one of the most ungovernable Passions of Human Nature, and therefore requires great knowledge and judgment to manage it, and keep it within bounds. It is like fire, a good Servant, but a bad Master; if it once get head it confumes and devours all before it; and the great danger and mischief of it is, that it is most commonly found where it should not be, and possess those most, who are least fit to govern it; and most frequently employed about what it should not be . . ." ~ Arch-Bishop Tillotson

The state of Wisconsin has done very well managing it's resources and in protecting shipwrecks along our shoreline. We do not need any "help" from the federal government. Especially when such help includes helping us right out of practices codified in our state constitution - namely the taking of game and fish in accordance with local and state regulations. 

And yet, here come the feds with their innocuously named program - a name designed to make people "feel" good about it - and, no doubt, federal money in the form of grants and other aid to seal the deal. A deal which will bring large swaths of our natural resources under federal control. Federal control that could include fines of up to $100,000/day for any violations of their regulations.

"§922.45   Penalties.
(a) Each violation of the NMSA or FKNMSPA, any regulation in this part, or any permit issued pursuant thereto, is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $ 100,000. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(b) Regulations setting forth the procedures governing administrative proceedings for assessment of civil penalties, permit sanctions, and denials for enforcement reasons, issuance and use of written warnings, and release or forfeiture of seized property appear at 15 CFR part 904.

[60 FR 66877, Dec. 27, 1995, as amended at 62 FR 4607, Jan. 30, 1997]" 

$100,000 per violation per day? How is that in accordance with the US Constitution which states:"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."?

The constitution of the state of Wisconsin states:
"The people have the right to fish, hunt, trap, and take game subject only to reasonable restrictions as prescribed by law. "

What right does the Governor or even the legislature have to turn over regulatory control of any part of Lake Michigan (Or any part of the rest of the state for that matter) to an unaccountable federal agency? Especially when that very agency has such a tyrannical history, once given such authority?
NOAA will not be working under the laws, rules and regulations of the state of Wisconsin, which are adequate to protect our resources and backed by local knowledge and input, but by federal regulations created by a one-size-fits-all mentality, which will be wielded like bludgeons against any individual who ventures to request a permit through their processes or who - even inadvertently or to save a life - violates one of their regulations. Further, NOAA is an unelected federal agency, over whom the people of Wisconsin will have no control or recourse, should we come to regret the decision to allow them in.

Shouldn't such a decision rest with the people of the state of Wisconsin? If the people are to be expected to abide by the dictates of NOAA, then the people - all the people of Wisconsin deserve to have a say in that decision because it will affect all of us.  

The people in Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Manitowoc and Kewaunee counties need to be paying attention. The velvet glove says increased tourism and money and jobs will come to you if you cooperate, but the iron fist will incrementally eat away at every one of the ways you utilize and enjoy Lake Michigan over time.

Go to www.regulations.gov , search for NOAA-NOS-2016-0150 click on the "comment now" button and leave a comment, because the public input time is running out. Let them know that you want a say in this decision and more, that you want truthful information regarding NOAA regulations and authority over these marine sanctuaries.

"12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; " ~ Jude 1:12

Signs of the Times

Seen on S. Business Drive in Sheboygan , WI,

A picture really is worth a thousand words.

"An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." ~ Prov 29:27

Where were the TEA Party folks?

Today, my state senator, Joe Leibham, held a listening session. He provided a small booklet(nothing fancy-just the facts-black and white as though it came from your home printer) about legislative changes that had been approved, changes that were under discussion and legislation he had worked on.

Some of the changes that have been approved, as those who have been reading this blog know, are outrageously abusive of the citizens of WI. Some of the more outrageous policy items that were dropped from the budget, are being revisited by our legislators. Things like driver's cards for illegal aliens and lowering the liability percentage from 51% to 1%. ( I had thought both of those items were safely off the table and am quite incensed to find that it is not so. That air in Madison I guess.)

Now I have some problems with Mr. Leibham, philosophically, but I will grant that he has been a strong fiscal conservative in his votes and, in general shows a modicum of common sense, of which I approve. I will address my reservations with him in another post, but I wanted to address something else before I do that and before I post videos of bits of his listening session.

We have a participatory form of government folks. That means we participate. When our legislators do their best to let us know what is going on in the halls of the legislature, we should lend them an ear. When they make themselves available to hear our opinions and concerns, we should equally, politely and respectfully share our opinions and concerns. Now I've attended two TEA Parties. One in Madison and one in Sheboygan. Those gatherings were very well attended and there were many concerns spoken of, at the national, state and local levels. Everyone was enthusiastic and wanting things to be changed, (or left alone in certain areas-change for the sake of change is not a reasonable philosophy). One hopes I might be forgiven for worrying that I might not find a seat at this listening session as I was running a little late. I had been to a few of these before and expected, after such rousing displays of patriotism, that this would be packed with concerned citizens. (Goodness knows we have enough with this legislature to be concerned about.)

When my son and I walked into the room, I was immediately apprised of the fact that I need not have worried. It was a relatively small room and there were more open seats than full. There were, perhaps, 15 people in attendance. They were mostly people my age and older. My son was the youngest person in the room and, with the exception of my son, I don't think (I hope not to offend anyone, here) there were any attendees under the age of 30.

It is fine and dandy to have a rousing rally that brings folks out to show our sentiments, but if we don't follow up by attending and requesting such sessions with our legislators, what's the point? We have effectively silenced ourselves. Sure we can send e-mails and phone calls, but too often those are only done when we are irate or bothered about something that affects us personally. (And I believe we can expect a lot more of that in the very near future here in WI.)

If we leave our legislators guessing what we think or want, then we can hardly blame them for inconsistencies in their votes or for voting however they see fit, or, (in the case of those who may have no principles of their own,) according to whatever activist last had their ear. I know I can't attend all of these sessions and I don't expect anyone else to do so either, but there should certainly be more folks at such sessions than I have seen when there isn't something urgent or outrageous under discussion. We not only have the right to participate in this process, we have a duty. If we are not going to participate, then maybe we should be remembering that when we point our finger at someone there are three fingers pointing back at us.

(My apologies to Mr. Leibham for the original misspelling-it has been corrected.)

"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. " ~Gal 2:11

Dr. Zimmermann at the Sheboygan TEA Party

Dr. Zimmermann talks about health care. Unfortunately, I ran out of batteries where this cuts off. I will attempt to find another video so you can see the whole speech, because it was quite good.

I was not able to film any of the speakers following Dr. Zimmerman. I also was a bit late so I missed the opening speaker, Scott Sidney. Bob Basso as Thomas Paine was well covered and I have provided links in an earlier post. Mark Block and Linda Hanson were the final speakers and, if I can find video of their presentations, I will post links here.

"Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" ~ Jer 8:22 ( I was tempted to put the entire chapter here.)

T.E.A. in Sheboygan

Just a head's up for all you folks in the Sheboygan area. There will be a T.E.A. (Taxed Enough Already) party at Sheboygan's Fountain Park on Saturday, September 5th from 11:00-1:00, rain or shine. The details for the event can be found here.

Speakers will include: Emcee Scott Sidney, a regional coordinator for AFP; Conservative radio talk show host, Jerry Bader; long time activist for the Wisconsin Prosperity Network, Linda Hansen; Pastor David King, founder of Milwaukee's God Squad (Who will hopefully not be using the same metaphors he used in Madison- but then, he is a democrat willing to speak against the profligate spending coming out of D.C.); Mark Block, state director for AFP; Dr. Phil Zimmermann, resident physician at the UW-Madison and director of WisconsinRepublic.org and Bob Basso as Thomas Paine.

It sounds like it should be a wonderful mix of speakers. I have a schedule conflict, but if I can manage around it, I plan to attend.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14