| Right on down below there, Matthew Koehler posted up about some Arizona fish-wrap having an issue with Jon Tester and Dennis Rehberg concerning the wildlife management of wolves in the northern Rockies. The comments are worth a read. One of the issues I had with the editorial remains consistent throughout my interactions on the InterTubes. I'm beyond tired of other folk ignoring their own representatives while being so eager to tell me, Democrats and the President how to deal with mine. See, I know my representatives, and I know their worth.
Dennis Rehberg has always called a good fight, and then left it to others. That's what he does, and that's why he's actually 'written' next to nothing in his decade in the House. He's a piggy-backer, the guy who buys the next round (and drinks both, apparently.)
The other night, Rehberg announced that he's running for the Senate against Jon Tester. This was not a surprise; it hasn't been for a quarter year or more. What also isn't a surprise is that he would say something so stupid as to call for federal judges to be on the endangered species list. Yup, that's what he did before the Montana legislature.
But here's the key to this concern. He did so while attacking the Endangered Species Act.
U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg R-Mont., speaking to the Legislature on Monday, attacked the policies of the Obama administration, defended states' rights and said a federal judge in Montana belongs on the Endangered Species Act for his ruling on wolves. [...] "My job as your congressman to defend the states' rights principle in Washington," he said. That means keeping Washington off people's backs, such as ending federal management of the grey wolf population here in Montana, he said to applause. He blasted "environmental obstructionist" for finding a federal judge in Missoula, Donald Molly (sic), whom he didn't identify by name, who ruled that the wolf had to remain on the Endangered Species list. "When I first heard his decision, like many of you I wanted to take action immediately," Rehberg said. "I asked: how can we put some of these judicial activists on the Endangered Species list?"
In truth, the point goes beyond Rehberg's bravado. He stated, as promise that he would submit legislation to remove the Grey Wolf from protection of the Endangered Species Act. And in true Rehberg form, he never had to act at all. Idaho Representative Mike Simpson (R- kicks puppies) did it for him, as a rider on a the House Republicant budget bill.
The two-sentence provision directs Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to reissue a 2009 rule that took wolves off the endangered list in Montana, Idaho and parts of Oregon, Washington and Utah. The reinstated rule "shall not be subject to judicial review," according to the provision.
It was added to the budget bill by Rep. Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican who chairs the appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Interior Department.
Let me be clear. Some legislation is necessary to break the gridlock concerning wolf management. I, for one, would prefer it not come from the Republicant House. Regardless, this rider is likely to pass, and guess who signed on without ever having to do a damned thing for it. Rehberg? Was that your guess? How clever you are. That's what he does. He co-opts the loathsome efforts of others and then hides while touting his bravery. Meanwhile, he relies on us lefties to attack our own for doing what is up-front and clearly owned by Montana representatives when it's the same damned thing. Rehberg is vastly more an acolyte of Max Baucus then Jon Tester is or was.
~sigh~ |
