It's good. No, It's bad. Florida spins increased Manatee deaths as a good thing.

[madfloridian]

And an editorial calls them out on it. It is amazing the lengths some agencies in Florida will go to just to lie about something. The old Bush trick of calling something the opposite of what it really is plays out here.

Good, Bad: It's Just Ugly

Remember Archie Campbell?

Back when television's "Hee-Haw" was in its heyday, comic Archie Campbell would perform a routine, which has since come to be known as the "That's Bad/That's Good" classic, with various partners. He'd start out by telling of a rather unfortunate occurrence ("I fell out of an airplane.") When the sidekick would say, "That's bad," Campbell would come back with a reverse twist, "No, that's good - I had on a parachute."

And so it went.

If Campbell hadn't been dead for nearly 20 years, one might swear that he had a hand in writing the latest script released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission when it reported that a record number of endangered manatees died last year.

Oh, that's bad.

And the Commission's spin on this is really unbelievable. Just like Bush's theory of calling things the opposite.

The number of manatees is growing, therefore, the number hit by watercraft will grow as well.

Oh, that's bad, because the manatee count in 2006 was 3,100, and that's a decrease from 2001 when nearly 3,300 were counted.

No, that's good, said Sprague, because the percentages of deaths from boats remained about the same last year. If it hadn't been for the 61 deaths last year caused by red tide, the number of deaths caused by boats wouldn't have even been close to the record.

But that's bad, because the 61 red tide deaths were 29 percent less than deaths caused by boats.

The Wildlife Commission is rather sensitive about manatees because it has proposed changing their protection classification from endangered status to merely threatened. Environmental groups have opposed the change, with the Save the Manatee Club noting that the reclassification permits a reduction of 30 percent of the manatee population within three generations.

And as the editorial says, the Manatees have it bad.

[graywarrior]

1. Florida SUCKS!

Last month, someone tortured a manatee around here by hacking off it's fins, legs and letting it bleed to death. Never heard another thing about it.

[porphyrian]

3. Don't blame the state, blame the mean old people who retire here from your states.

Native Floridians are mostly in favor of preserving the environment, even the conservatives (because they like to hunt and hate outsiders). The republican infestation of Florida isn't our fault, dammit.

[graywarrior]

4. If you have been at DU a while, you will know where I am coming from.

Been living in Florida on and off for about 15 years. I despise the politics. MOST people here are cool...... most.

[porphyrian]

5. I have been here for a while, I just don't memorize everyone's personal history.

I'm in Tallahassee, even though I lived in Chicago for a year one year ago, and I've lived in Florida all my life otherwise.

[graywarrior]

6. Whaaaat? You don't memorize personal history?!?!?!

That calls for spanking.

[porphyrian]

7. It's a fair cop.

;)

[graywarrior]

8. Ha ahhahahahaha

Indeed, it is. And clever.

[Robbien]

2. I can't quit make it out

If the red tide would have killed more manatees, then there would be less of them for the boats to kill? Or if the red tide killed too many when added to the number killed by the boats the boat killers can't have the manatees taken off the endangered list.

Such a confusion.

[flamin lib]

9. There are shields that fit over the prop to prevent injury or fouling.

Florida should make them mandatory in Manatee habitat. Every body wins, the boaters get to enjoy their sport and the wildlife is safe from slashing props. Might still leave a nasty bruise but it's better than bleeding to death.

[Dr.Phool]

10. I went snorkeling with manatees last Sunday.

Beautiful gentle creatures. Many of them had propeller scars on their backs.

[madfloridian]

11. I have been close to them a few times, though not snorkling.

They are gentle and sweet creatures. But the people with boats don't want to be slowed down.

[blooming_chelonian]

13. Just an opinion, on a board full of them....

But in a world of powerboats, jet skis, and other sundries, aren't we fortunate that so few PEOPLE have been hit by water motor craft. I kind of view the death of the manatees like the death of an animal in my neighborhood. There really isn't any good excuse for it.... If you hit someone's pet dog, cat, etc; more than likely you were going too fast. Now, I know that animals "dart" and "scamper" and you don't know which way they are going to go.... But would it really hurt us to be a little more aware of our surrounding while in ANY type of vehicle????

Just my 2c, stepping off my low soapbox now.

[struggle4progress]

12. Bottom line: They'll be safer once they're extinct.

[blooming_chelonian]

14. And that statement goes for sooo many other types of animals

as well. All the more reason to allow us to hunt and kill whatever we want, that way we don't have to worry about hitting things in our cars, boats, jet skis, airplanes, etc.

Please note the sarcasm, and it is not pointed at the person who I replied too, I just live in the country, and I have actually heard a few of my more "esteemed, well educated" "buddies" say the same things.... (once again the sarcasm)

[struggle4progress]

15. Welcome to DU, b_c

:toast:

[blooming_chelonian]

16. Thank you....

Long time lurker, first time poster :)