Save the Manatees

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » November 4, 2003 5:24 pm

Joe Mac Merchant wrote:I just wondering how many here actually are aware of the Speed Zone and Access Rights issues in Florida other than the info they get from Save the Manatee Club?

Am not trying to start any flames, just a few honest questions for everyone.

1: Would you believe that the Manatee is NOT on the edge of extinction?

2: Would you believe that the warm water discharges at Florida Power plants are in fact dangerous to large numbers of manatees?

3: Would you believe that there are far more Manatee than are counted by aerial surveys?

How far back DID you dig to ressurect this long-dead thread?

7lords · Post by **7lords** » November 4, 2003 5:25 pm

Key Lime Lee wrote: How far back DID you dig to ressurect this long-dead thread?

Joe Mac Merchant · Post by **Joe Mac Merchant** » November 4, 2003 6:41 pm

7lords wrote:
Key Lime Lee wrote: How far back DID you dig to ressurect this long-dead thread?

I did a word search.

Wanted to see just how many other Buffett Fans out there are just accepting one version of the Manatee Issues in Florida.

So here's another point of view.

------------------------
The Conundrum of “Margaritaville” Continues
By
Jim Kalvin

Sorry folks, but I just can’t hold off on this topic any longer. As a Florida native, boater, fisherman, sailor, and mariner, all of this “Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville” garbage has to be called for what it is.

I mean, think about it… For over thirty years, Buffett has been going all around the world singing the praises of life afloat - most specifically in the Florida Keys or the islands of the Caribbean. From Seattle to New York, and from North Dakota to the southern extremes of Texas, he has been inspiring people to go south, get a boat, and live the Jimmy Buffett life-style.

His writings and music are rife with references to certain bars, islands, restaurants, bays, and inlets that have been immortalized, and have become destinations for millions of visitors over time. Along with the locations, a healthy dose (or an unhealthy dose - depending upon your point of view) of alcohol and marijuana is added to the mix in order to provide the mind-altering perception that one is able to escape reality, and come to Paradise with Mr. Buffet. Or, as in his latest smash hit co-produced with Alan Jackson, he says that your ills can be cured by walking off of your job, getting drunk, climbing aboard your boat, and heading, once again, south to Margaritaville.
But what is one really going to find when one reaches the City Limits of Margaritaville?
I believe that most would be surprised to say the least.

First of all, you won’t be able to find a dock to put your boat. If your boat is on a trailer, you will have to get up pretty early to find a parking place at the boat ramp - if you can find a boat ramp that you are able to use. And marina space? Forget it! Marinas in Florida are disappearing as fast as redevelopment permits can be obtained, and we are not getting any new facilities anytime soon.

Secondly, if you are able to put your boat into the water, you are likely going to be faced with massive “no entry” areas, extended (miles long) “slow speed” zones, or Marine Protected Areas (no fishing, anchoring, diving, or other uses allowed).
One would be inclined to ask why it should be so hard to come down to enjoy that which Mr. Buffett promotes. And the irony is that it is Mr. Buffett himself that has led the charge to curtail pleasure boating throughout the State of Florida through his financial support and direct involvement with Save the Manatee Club.

A good idea at the time of inception, the “Club” now pays its directors much more than it spends on conservation efforts or anything having to do with “saving manatees.” And the modus operandi of the group is to sue individuals, municipalities, and our Government agencies to curtail water access throughout the State. Millions upon millions of dollars have been stuffed into the salaries, retirement accounts, and expense accounts of SMC directors, while their long-range objective has been to close one waterway after another.
Current marina owners have been sued, and potential builders of new facilities face impossible mountains of regulatory red tape due to the whinings, legal maneuverings, and heavy-handed tactics of these “for-hire” non-profit environmentalists. As well, single-family home-owners are now being stripped of their ability to legally keep their boat in the water behind their homes. And, Buffet’s name is wielded like a weapon in legislative committees and agency staff

meetings. Strangely, he is touted as the end-all, be-all, do-all of aquatic resource management by his drones at these gatherings.

Funny, though I was a fan of his during the 70’s and 80’s, I don’t remember ever seeing “Dr.” or “PHD” in front of, or behind his name.
So, Mr. Buffett - who is probably personally responsible for more boaters coming to Florida than any other single cause (including the Marine Industries Association or our Tourist Development Councils) - makes it possible for SMC to wage their war against those that call themselves “Parrot-Heads.” The very people who are responsible for Mr. Buffet’s wealth are the ones that his “Club” is attacking - and has been attacking since the mid 70’s.

While he could have been using his considerable influence over the years helping with boater education, safety initiatives, and real resource protection measures, Mr. Buffett has, instead, chosen to wage a silent war against all aquatic resource users. By making targets of his fans in the name of “saving the manatee,” he has done the manatees, the State of Florida, and the entire aquatic resource a severe injustice.
Is this just my opinion?

You might like to think so. But the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commissioners might tend to agree. They have publicly lambasted the leaders of Save the Manatee Club recently, and on numerous occasions, for misleading the public, lying to the Commissioners, costing the State huge sums of money fighting their base-less lawsuits, and for ignoring available science in pursuit of their “no-growth / anti-access” agenda.
Come down to “Margaritaville”?
To do what? Stand on the bridge, and look at where you might have been able to go boating years ago?

Buffett is taking your money to fight your ability to enjoy the very things that he has sung and written about. But don’t worry - he will always be able to enjoy the Oceans. His sea-plane, and his motor yacht will take him far away from the waters of Florida that he is helping to close down - one waterway at a time.

I’m just sorry that Alan Jackson has been duped into believing in the myth of “Margaritaville.”

Jim Kalvin
---------------------------

CAPTAIN FLINT · Post by **CAPTAIN FLINT** » November 4, 2003 6:47 pm

SAVE THE MANATEE'S!!!!!!!!!!!

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » November 4, 2003 9:18 pm

Joe Mac Merchant wrote:
------------------------
The Conundrum of “Margaritaville” Continues
By
Jim Kalvin

Sorry folks, but I just can’t hold off on this topic any longer....

(EDITED LOTS OF WORDS)

...I’m just sorry that Alan Jackson has been duped into believing in the myth of “Margaritaville.”

---------------------------

Your basic premise is flawed and by default the whole essay becomes baseless, but kudos for typing that many words.

Margaritaville *IS* escapism. Buffett *IS* entertainment. Most adults are perfectly capable of distinguishing between fantasy and reality. There's no connundrum since almost everyone accepts it for what it is: a willing suspension of disbelief.

Why is that so hard to grasp?

No one is much interested in the reality of the Margaritaville myth because everyone ALREADY KNOWS its a myth. People pay $$ to be entertained and they go to a concert to pretend that they're hanging with a beach bum who quit his job and moved south (although he grew up in the south, so he really just moved down the highway a bit).

Key word is PRETEND.

Heck, the REAL Jimmy Buffett is not a beach bum, but a stout, middle-aged multi-millionaire who commands a small business empire. But so what - he plays the part on stage we want him to play. That's why we buy the tickets.

I could care less about the Manatees... I could also care less about Florida boaters. Both are issues more important to folks actually IN Florida than to me - I have matters that are more pressing to MY reality occupying my time. Jimmy having a passion for the Manatees doesn't make one iota of difference to me. He sees it one way. You see it another. Who's right? Who cares.

It wouldn't matter to me if Jimmy suggested we filet the Manatees and serve them up as kabobs... as long as he entertains me, I'll keep going to see him.

I think it gets to the point of what a lot of folks have posted lately: why aren't the folks on this board more upset with JB or critical of him?

And the answer, of course, is that most of us understand that JB is an entertainer, not our role model. If someone takes their life advice or their opinions from an entertainer, well, then they get what they deserve.

I would dispute your claim that Buffett has inspired huge numbers of folks to move south. My sense is that it's a pretty generic concept that Buffett has utilized but certainly didn't create. I would imagine that huge numbers of people will ALWAYS want to move someplace that has beaches and palm trees. California has many of the same issues as Florida and no JB to blame.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion on the manatee issue... but don't pretend you're exposing some great dirty little secret in the process. Just state your point of view based on the facts that caused you to form your opinion. People may agree or disagree. Mostly they'll just ignore it for all the reasons listed above.

In the meantime, I'm going to be entertained by his music and his performance and leave the actions and opinions of private citizen Buffett up to his discretion.

And I'm certainly not going to fault him for selling what he himself refers to as "escapism".

PS. I told you so Connie!

parrotsgirl · Post by **parrotsgirl** » November 4, 2003 9:30 pm

Hi RIPH......how are ya....

Hey Everyone....did you know this is one cause that John was VERY involved with......

Thanks for passing the info along......

tryin' to reason · Post by **tryin' to reason** » November 4, 2003 10:17 pm

There rose from the grave both the weak and the brave
'cause history was there for the makin'
...
And they shouted out loud to the roar of the crowd
"Same old story, more dollars than sense"

Chorus
Now I realize who killed the Prince of Tides
How can you tell how it used to be
When there's nothing left to see

I am so sick of people who think that they should be able to trash the environment because they have the money for toys they want to play with without any rules. Take your oversized, over-powered boat and sail off into the sunset, bucko!!!

Joe Mac Merchant · Post by **Joe Mac Merchant** » November 4, 2003 11:14 pm

I am so sick of people who think that they should be able to trash the environment because they have the money for toys they want to play with without any rules. Take your oversized, over-powered boat and sail off into the sunset, bucko!!!

Jumping to conclusions aren’t we?

I do own a boat, but it’s a slow moving trawler, which is by the way powered by Honda four stroke engines.

Oh, and please take your attitude and stick it. bucko.

CAPTAIN FLINT · Post by **CAPTAIN FLINT** » November 5, 2003 2:13 am

Now cant we all just get along, if not I will plunder all vessels in the vicinity all the while shouting Save the Manatee's

RIPH · Post by **RIPH** » November 5, 2003 7:27 am

Hi PG

I'm doing fine. How bout you?

John and I chatted about this a lot since we moved down.

In fact, the last card we sent to him was a manatee drawing from Mote Marine Aquarium here in Sarasota. We don't think he saw it though.

It's funny, thinking of him is what made me post!!

tryin' to reason · Post by **tryin' to reason** » November 5, 2003 8:46 am

Let me see...
animal in natural setting, personal boat...
animal in natural setting, personal boat...

I'm gonna have to get back to you on this one!!!!

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » November 5, 2003 8:48 am

Maybe the manatees are eating too many SHRIMP????

Post by **SMLCHNG** » November 5, 2003 8:49 am

aquaholic wrote:Maybe the manatees are eating too many SHRIMP????

OMG, you think so???

Cubbie Bear · Post by **Cubbie Bear** » November 5, 2003 9:24 am

Absolutely nowhere in all my study of history and political science do I recall seeing "pleasure boating" and "personal water craft" as an entitlement in our society. If it causes harm, regulate the cause. As a fisherman, boater and lover of the Florida ecosystem (or what remains of it) I have no problem with these restrictions.

I have a 9, 7 and 4 year old. I want them to be able to see Manatee's in Florida, I want them to be able to go to Hawaii and see whales migrating as I have been able to. I want them to be able to go to northern Wisconsin and see black bear and hear the eerie howl of the timber wolf late into the night.

We have destroyed too much in the name of recreation already. It's time to stop. There is more than enough open water to accommodate "pleasure boating". (and don't even get me started on jet skis)

Bob Roberts · Post by **Bob Roberts** » November 5, 2003 9:29 am

If I had the money to move to Florida and buy a big boat, I would. And to "live" out the Buffett lifestyle, I would cruise slowly in my boat relaxing with an ice-cold margarita and snorkel, enjoying the natural wildlife in it's beauty. Would I speed through areas, hitting and killing helpless animals, HELL NO! Anyone who would is a spineless pr*ck who needs to float around in the water and let me run them over at 40 mph and see how that feels.

Oh, we have plenty of humans in this world, many areas are overcrowded. Why don't we just run over people crossing the road, there are plenty more!

All I have to say is anyone that has snorkeled with these wonderful animals and experienced them in the wild, you will never want to do anything to harm them.

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » November 5, 2003 9:42 am

Cubbie Bear wrote:Absolutely nowhere in all my study of history and political science do I recall seeing "pleasure boating" and "personal water craft" as an entitlement in our society. If it causes harm, regulate the cause. As a fisherman, boater and lover of the Florida ecosystem (or what remains of it) I have no problem with these restrictions.

I have a 9, 7 and 4 year old. I want them to be able to see Manatee's in Florida, I want them to be able to go to Hawaii and see whales migrating as I have been able to. I want them to be able to go to northern Wisconsin and see black bear and hear the eerie howl of the timber wolf late into the night.

We have destroyed too much in the name of recreation already. It's time to stop. There is more than enough open water to accommodate "pleasure boating". (and don't even get me started on jet skis)

I have a jet ski and a boat and a paddle boat..............I'm a bad man!!!(and a FL native)

Cubbie Bear · Post by **Cubbie Bear** » November 5, 2003 10:06 am

bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. (not)

I am sure you use them responsibly.

aquaholic · Post by **aquaholic** » November 5, 2003 10:11 am

Cubbie Bear wrote: bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. (not)

I am sure you use them responsibly.

CHECK...as do the kids..........

brettsky · Post by **brettsky** » November 5, 2003 11:00 am

Im starting a new club. " save the selfish "

anyone want to join ?. I will be raising funds to restrict dumb a** people from gettin in here and trying to pick a fight.

We all understand whats up, or does he think we are in her because we've
been tricked ?

How dumb of me

I'm so ashamed !

Key Lime Lee · Post by **Key Lime Lee** » November 5, 2003 11:03 am

In fairness, he may have valid points about the Manatee issue. I don't know near enough about EITHER SIDE to have any perspective on who is using what for personal and political gain.

I just don't think it's a Buffett betrayal.

Jimmy believes in it because he's obviously made his own decisions. I'm sure he'd want everyone here who is interested to make their own as well.

BuffettNews.com

Save the Manatees

Re: Save the Manatee Club

Re: Save the Manatee Club