Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
October 2007
October 2007
During the debate, McCain brought up the subject of the famous USA-Canada grizzly bear DNA project twice in his condemnation for pork barrel spending.
I know enough about this multi-year ongoing cooperative project between the USA and Canada enough to take these comments personally. I also have a good friend who is a biologist working in Banff National Park on the Canadian side of the project.
Montana is the only holdout for this interesting animal in the lower 48 - they've effectively been extirpated elsewhere in the USA over the last 200 years. With low numbers, their genetic diversity was artificailly bottlenecked, and the fragility of the population is well known among those biologists and the general public who actually give a damn. In response, several reintroductions of Canadian beers were undertaken over the years, and highway bear overpasses were made to facilitate travel by the animals to help increase genetic diversity. Today, much of the project mentioned still involves such activities, but also monitoring... by collecting hair samples from scratching trees for DNA analysis. The information gained from this International project is crucial to the specie's long term survival in the wild, regardless of geographical area.
Does McCain shoot bald eagles too? The mention of this project as being the example of "waste" just rubbed me the wrong way. BTW, scientific american also published an alarming article of McCain's view on the subject of these bears. What an idiot he is. There are crappier projects that this, including his $400 toilet seat in the White House washrooms!
I know enough about this multi-year ongoing cooperative project between the USA and Canada enough to take these comments personally. I also have a good friend who is a biologist working in Banff National Park on the Canadian side of the project.
Montana is the only holdout for this interesting animal in the lower 48 - they've effectively been extirpated elsewhere in the USA over the last 200 years. With low numbers, their genetic diversity was artificailly bottlenecked, and the fragility of the population is well known among those biologists and the general public who actually give a damn. In response, several reintroductions of Canadian beers were undertaken over the years, and highway bear overpasses were made to facilitate travel by the animals to help increase genetic diversity. Today, much of the project mentioned still involves such activities, but also monitoring... by collecting hair samples from scratching trees for DNA analysis. The information gained from this International project is crucial to the specie's long term survival in the wild, regardless of geographical area.
Does McCain shoot bald eagles too? The mention of this project as being the example of "waste" just rubbed me the wrong way. BTW, scientific american also published an alarming article of McCain's view on the subject of these bears. What an idiot he is. There are crappier projects that this, including his $400 toilet seat in the White House washrooms!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
May 2007
May 2007
You "just don't understand" my friend. My friends. Are there any veterans in the forum audience my friends. (Shakes arms up and down vigorously)
And hawk don't forget the $200 pair of shoes that he wears regularly.
And hawk don't forget the $200 pair of shoes that he wears regularly.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
January 2004
January 2004
Funny...McCain loves to pull this 3 million dollar bear study out to further his anti-pork barrel arguments.
Why doesn't he refer to Sarah Palin's 3 million dollar seal study?
Why doesn't he refer to Sarah Palin's 3 million dollar seal study?
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
October 2007
October 2007
Doesn't matter, cause the 3 million covered like nearly 10 years of study... for the salary of 4 biologists plus lab tests. The actual bill is way bigger than this, and is covered by volunteers, private land owners, non profit organizations, the state of Montana, and Universities. If McCain gets elected, I'm sure the Canadian government will foot the bill for the American Federal portion that goes missing. It wouldn't be the first time that Canada has been forced to finance the American side for important cooperative projects.
No offense, but McCain is an ignorant idiot. It's just not fair that Canada is forced to pick up the tab for stuff like this when you guys have an election.
No offense, but McCain is an ignorant idiot. It's just not fair that Canada is forced to pick up the tab for stuff like this when you guys have an election.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
September 2006
September 2006
Doesn't anyone watch Stephen Colbert? Bears are the number one threat to the nation, hence the hatred. 
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Member since:
March 2002
March 2002
Bulls and bears. Bear Stearnes. Chicago Bears. Maybe McCain's confused.
John
John
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Member since:
July 2006
July 2006
Don't forget the Chicago Cubs. 
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Member since:
January 2006
January 2006
Quote:
Bulls and bears. Bear Stearnes. Chicago Bears. Maybe McCain's confused.
John, you forgot the very beary Bruce Vilanch.
Jason, happy Sunday morning everyone!
[Post edited by JJ79 on Sep 28, 2008]
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Maybe this is the reason why:
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Member since:
June 2006
June 2006
Actually, I like this one better.
