Get The Lead Out

[cosbyboy1]

Julie, for some reason I do not understand, GTLO conversations on SS at the nest are not encouraged.   It is supposed to be a happy go lucky experience, apparently.   I could be wrong, but "no worry zone" has been stressed by certain mods and the chatters clearly do not want to talk about anything that is reality-based, including the fact that eagles eat other animals.   Which is how they get lead poisoning to begin with when the other animals are lead-tainted.    I have been practically booed out of the SS when I was on there with another GTLO person.   So I just quit going there altogether.

[farmerinthedell]

Cosbyboy-I am only expressing my opinion here that is only based on observation of the social stream. I ask that you do not take offense.  During off time, it (social stream) was a great platform to get the word out. Chatters may have being passing the word out during other conversations off site.  Now the nest gets busy and the focus now, is watching for brood patch, eggs, etc.  This does not mean that the GTLO is a mute topic.  We have many that come to social stream to learn, to socialize, to find a source of comfort. This place may be the only thing that gives them hope from day to day.  When the nest is empty and the last has fledged, the topic of Pb can be picked up once again.

Congratulations on the blog, I must stop there sometime, when I am re-energized. Keep pushing onward, when others cannot.  Thank-you, Cosbyboy. 

[Lois Ann (lannml)]

2 more eagles in Wisconsin with lead poisoning being treated at REGI

http://raptoreducationgroup.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-newly-admitted-adult-bald-eagles.html

[clynndunn]

Des Moines Register has big article today regarding the lead ban. Quotes by Kaye Neumann. Ignorant statements by NRA. Admission by the legislature of sneaking the dove hunting bill in....I think I will write a letter to the editor today, and also post this in the GTLO thread.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20120129/NEWS10/301290052/Lead-debate-could-hit-floor-of-Iowa-House-or-Senate-this-week?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|News

[farmerinthedell]

I had been given this article by a friend last November, 2011. (At the time I was preparing my own way of tackling the Pb issue during deer hunting season.) The article was printed in The New York Times, November 26, 2011. There is a private company called Freedom Group, and behind this is Cerberus Capital Management. (Greek mythos Cerberus- represents past, present, and future.)  Headquarters, Park Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan.  This group currently owns 1/3 of the gun and ammunition market. According to the article the NRA was shaking in their boots.  Somehow researching this group I stumble on OpenSecrets.org Center for Responsive Politics. Interesting data.  Ceberus Capital Management does spend money on lobbying. It was Pb in the past, present- Pb and Copper, the future Copper.  Does anyone have any ideas how to put the buzz in Cerberus Capital Management to lobby Washington Politicos for a ban on Pb in ammunition?  This group owns Barnes Bullets (Pb free ammo).  This could be a big win for investors in Cerberus and a big win for folks like us who want our eagles to live long without the dangers of Pb.

[julie]

Farmer in the dell--I read the entire NY Times article.  It seems that Freedom Group is the one doing the buying and selling of long guns semi automatic guns to be exact.  The mention of Barnes Ammunition was in relation to the fact that police and some others use copper clad bullets in this type of gun.  Cerbarus is the company originally behind them, but they were planning to go public until the economic crisis began to hit them.  If it is true that the NRA is afraid that they will control so many gun companies and thus control who buys and sells guns well there might be cause for concern on their part.  However in my honest opinion I see them moving to sell guns, these type of guns in places like Walmart, BASS PRO Cabelas( in which they already have some of their companies selling).  Cabela's does not sell any Pb free ammunition nor does WalMart.  So I see your point to try contact Cerberus on Pb free ammo but it only supplies money for large purchases of not well doing companies and Freedom Group would be the one to approach.  And they apparently want to sell guns in the most practical way they can, and make money.   Pb free ammunition is not practical for them at this point as I see it.

[Indytf]

Julie, I want to correct something. Cabelas DOES sell non-lead ammo, I have purchased some from them myself. I dont mean to be trampling on you at all as I respect all that you do for the cause, but Cabelas does indeed sell non-lead ammo.

[julie]

Then the letter I sent them last year and their response mis-informed me.  sorry about that no harm intended it just sounded to me like it would be very hard to convince the private company or Cerbarus to go to a strict non-lead policy.

[iverburl]

Julie, I want to correct something. Cabelas DOES sell non-lead ammo, I have purchased some from them myself. I dont mean to be trampling on you at all as I respect all that you do for the cause, but Cabelas does indeed sell non-lead ammo.

'

I also bought tin (lead-free) sinkers from Cabela's online last year.  I hand them out at the hatchery and appropriate functions.  ~burl

[Faith]

Here is a letter to the editor from our local paper a few weeks ago.  It was written by one of our forum members, LupineLady.

[Misdeed67]

House Joint Resolution is scheduled for debate on the floor of the House Chamber tomorrow, Thursday, February 2. The House convenes at 8:30 am. Feel free to come down to the capitol and watch. If you cant make it, you can watch the debate on this website.

http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?category=billinfo&Service=livevideo

[pwatson17]

Thanks for the link. I watched the voting and was saddened to see that the good ole' boys won again.

[Misdeed67]

The House voted to nullify the rule, and allow lead shot to be used. While the house was voting, THREE eagles were admitted to SOAR, and ONE to Black Hawk County. All with lead levels. Two of the eagles are dead, and the other two are critical care. The vote now goes to the Senate. Phone calls and emails to the senators will help, especially to Senator Gronstal (majority leader) Here's his # 281-3901


http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/iowa-house-ends-lead-shot-ban/article_68073206-4dbe-11e1-b815-001871e3ce6c.html

They aren't voting on the lead issue. They are voting to show their authority, and against the NRC, who they believe over stepped for adding in the non toxic rule. If you are in Iowa, please start contacting the Senators. If you are outside of Iowa, go ahead and send emails too. Cant hurt!!

[cosbyboy1]

this was tied up in an administrative rules controversy also, which resulted from incompetency when the issue was put to bed last session. i hope that all the old grudges about dove hunting will someday subside so that we can treat this as a public health issue as well. we have to consider that not everyone is that concerned about the fate of eagles. but i bet they care about the quality of their water and soil and their kids' apple juice, etc. next time these orange-suited cavemen show up at the capitol, i hope they are treated as though they were carrying big placards since that's what the orange is all about. i wish lots of pictures had been taken of the event that was allowed to proceed in spite of its disruptive nature. i also hope next time that we have a full and complete summary of what is on the table so we can evaluate our chances before a lot of unnecessary time and money are spent. this one was never to be. we gave it a good show, but i never felt confident that we could overcome all the prior obstacles that were never resolved. and a governor who behaves like a petulant teenager when he doesn't get his way. tough. if we could move on now, that would be a good thing.

FarmerInTheDell, as far as GTLO awareness on SS, we have been working on the issue since late July, early August of 2011 AFTER the cam had been turned on again.   the presence of D1 would have, I thought, only strengthened the position that the danger would become even more of an issue once hunting season arrived.   and of course it did.   DJ was the first casualty we knew of and at least 2 others from the Decorah area alone.   The nest remained inactive yet people clustered there every day through all the inactivity and chatted about their personal agendas but not very many were interested in the GTLO.   now it is Feb.  and we are about to have a new family, but somehow that is supposed to signal a moratorium on the discussion.   sorry, but i think it would only add to the pile of reasons for protecting these animals from human carelessness.   i don't see why this shouldn't be an ongoing discussion.   by the time this new clutch fledges, hunting season will only be a couple of months away again.    too late to start over.   we have to have a year-round effort of awareness and outreach to make a difference.   i would think that would begin with the captive audience on SS/chat who are at this moment staring at an empty nest in the dark.  on the other hand, i understand that RRP must be sensitive to all positions and cannot be political given their non-profit status and dependence on donations and grants.   so it is a balancing act.   i guess there has to be first of all the desire to make a difference and a commitment to do so.

[cosbyboy1]

 See recent post at my blog:  gettheleadout2012.wordpress.com/http://