Greater Yellowstone Coalition Idaho Office bashes lack of charges in Ashton wolf kill case. AP. Casper Star Tribune.
It’s clear Idaho’s new law makes it so anyone can kill a wolf standing on their property, and in the Ashton case, you can apparently kill the wolf on someone else’s property as well. All you have to say it is that the wolf was molesting — “lying in wait,” etc.
No one can prove you wrong under Idaho’s law because the definition of molesting depends on the wolf’s supposed mental state.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
This is not surprizing, whatsoever.
the article also points out the failure of enforcement given the local prosecutors elected positions:
this is an extremely pertinent hitch in the states “adequate enforcement” mechanisms (not even considering the composition of legislature, governor, intolerant community and the absurd language of the law permitting wolf kills) that i had not considered before and it seems to me to be an extremely compelling reason why we can not say that wolves are recovered, especially considering the onus the recovery placed on combatting intolerance. there is no local or state enforcement of the rule of law that comes anywhere near impartial.
I wonder if events like this will change the thinking at GYC about state management and delisting.
That being said, very good for them to point the absurdity in this case. I knew I remained a member for a reason.
Another case of abuse and the lack of enforcement that Earthjustice will be able to use when they file in federal court next Monday.
Rick
Hmmm….there’s a conspicuous silence on this topic from some of the GYC-bashers that post here frequently. Speak up guys.
kudos to GYC for the advocacy
Ralph said: “No one can prove you wrong under Idaho’s law because the definition of molesting depends on the wolf’s supposed mental state.”
It’s even worse than that; no one can prove you wrong because the definition of molesting depends on one’s own interpretation of the wolf’s mental state.
Each one of these cases that comes up only makes re-listing more likely.
I am not a member. In fact, I am fairly unfamiliar with GYC fundamental politics.
However, I say two thumbs up here. I givethem credit for pointing out the defecit created by this.
I would venture a guess that at some point every organizaltion may sway from the stand some people joined them to take. That is because they are governed by people, who are generally governed by emotion. That is why no two people truly feel the exact same way about anything.
Though I see different groups doing what I feel is “more good,” and I through my financial and vocal support their way…I don’t take away from the credit due to GYC (or other groups when it is deserved.)
We will not agree with everything any one group does. But we can always speak up in support of what is done when we do agree.
GYC has participated in a lot that some people feel is superficial in effort and politically counter-productive, even sunserviant. Some have expressed that their opinions were not acknowledged by GYC and other groups.
What I have never heard said was “they are doing no good what so ever.”
In this instance, they have spoken up about the frustration most of us feel. By all means, honor that work. The more positive feedback they get about what you do want done, the more likely it will be that they continue doing it.
Good work GYC. KEEP IT UP.
“Hmmm….there’s a conspicuous silence on this topic from some of the GYC-bashers that post here frequently. Speak up guys”
i would respond, bout time, and where were you on the recent “historic bison agreement” they too are part of Greater YS..
Kim,
This came out of GYC’s Idaho field office. GYC has field offices in Idaho Falls, Jackson, and Cody.
I was good to hear them speak up, whatever the source.
i would agree. especially since it seemed they were so hand in hand with the current plans on both the wolves and the bison front