Another Rabbit-proof Fence

stompie

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It is interesting how environmentalism has always had a very lucrative edge to it. Take the Rabbit-proof Fence in WA. Over 3,256 kilometers of fence was built and maintained in the naive belief that it would keep rabbits out of WA.

As a complete failure, we could now look at the Rabbit-proof Fence as a monument to stupidity, and wasted money. Although it is indeed that, perhaps it would be better to look at it as a monument to how environmentmentalists run moralistic campaigns in order to make a career for themselves, and how politicians facilitate that career in order to gain political prestige.

I was fishing in New Zealand on the weekend, and I think I came across another Rabbit-proof Fence. In New Zealand's south Island, there is an algae, originally from northern Europe and America, called Didymo that is slowly spreading in Kiwi waterways. As it can be spread by a single drop of water, it is spreading quite quickly.

To contain the algae, fisherman are issued with bumper stickers saying 'say NO to didymo'. It addition to the catchy slogan is the logo of Biosecurity New Zealand on it. In more promotional literature, fisherman are also given a pen bearing the 'say No to didymo' slogan, and a education brochure bearing the logos of environmental organisations such as the Department of Conversation, Otago Regional Council, environment southerland, and Environment Canterbury. Finally, fishermen are given a spray bottle that should be filled with detergent, so that boots can be given a scrub down when moving from one stream to another.

After being loaded up with all this stuff, the fisherman's obvious response is 'what about Ducks, and other waterbirds? Are they going to say No to Didymo as well?

I asked the lady at the fishing shop about it. She agreed that the whole thing was silly, but then said it is a $100,000 fine for not washing your boots, and left it at that.

The severity of the fine was also interesting for me. To put it into perspective, if you don't declare foodstuffs and bring it into New Zealand, you will be fined $200. However, if you act like a duck you are up for a $100,000 fine! I think the fine probably serves its purpose though. As you walk away with all these stickers, pens, brochures, and a spray bottle, then look to the sky as birds fly around, you can't help by question the absurdity of it all, yet the 100,000 fine is a good way to ensure that those questioning the absurdity give the reaction of the lady in the fishing shop. Yep, another Rabbit-proof Fence.
 

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Dont be a lemon

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the reason the rabbit proof fence failed because the fence itself was a piece of crap in many parts, rather than the concept itself being flawed?

I ask because I know there is a part of New Zealand where they keep rats (I think?) out by using a fence. Granted, rabbits and rats are different so...
 

Fire

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#9
It's OK though, it's "friendly" fire. Done with the utmost of love.
I hear the new hip lingo refers it to 'Blue Fire".

I don't think the connotations go far enough, surly a "Baby Blue Fire" would be more calming. A "Sky Blue Fire" would be simply divine.
 

stompie

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Why do you always oppose things, you lefty you.
In this example, it was because the fishing licenses were expensive. $55 dollars for three days. Usually I am quite supportive of paying fishing licenses as the money is used on restocking programs, and to administer wardens to go around enforcing rules and regulations. However, I have since discovered that the wardens are unpaid volunteers, and the rivers aren't stocked. Instead, it seems the money is used for bumper stickers promoting some environmental organisation that is demonstrating its wasteful nature with plastic promotional material destined for the bin.
 

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stompie

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Thread starter #12
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the reason the rabbit proof fence failed because the fence itself was a piece of crap in many parts, rather than the concept itself being flawed?

I ask because I know there is a part of New Zealand where they keep rats (I think?) out by using a fence. Granted, rabbits and rats are different so...
The concept was ridiculous. 3,500,000 kilometers and all that needs to happen is that a spot of rain erodes the connection to the ground at one point, or a pregnant bunny burrows underneath. If that happened, as it inevitably did, the whole fence becomes useless. I know the official spiel is that someone left the gate open, but I think that is more of a case of them covering up for their stupidity.
 

bushie

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#13
There is no doubt that every vermin proof fence in W.A., and there are many of them, are a complete and utter waste of time and taxpayer funds.

I could show you sections of hundreds of metres where it is lying down flat on the ground.

The rabbit proof fence as shown in the movie, is actually a boundary of the Station where I live.

It is a joke.

It is much more a case of the Dept of Ag getting funding for these fences to bulk up their budget, more than having an actual effect on any movement of any animal at all.
 

Keys

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There is no doubt that every vermin proof fence in W.A., and there are many of them, are a complete and utter waste of time and taxpayer funds.

I could show you sections of hundreds of metres where it is lying down flat on the ground.

The rabbit proof fence as shown in the movie, is actually a boundary of the Station where I live.

It is a joke.

It is much more a case of the Dept of Ag getting funding for these fences to bulk up their budget, more than having an actual effect on any movement of any animal at all.
Well if you would stop going out and knocking them over ....
 

MightyFighting

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#17
In this example, it was because the fishing licenses were expensive. $55 dollars for three days. Usually I am quite supportive of paying fishing licenses as the money is used on restocking programs, and to administer wardens to go around enforcing rules and regulations. However, I have since discovered that the wardens are unpaid volunteers, and the rivers aren't stocked. Instead, it seems the money is used for bumper stickers promoting some environmental organisation that is demonstrating its wasteful nature with plastic promotional material destined for the bin.
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll complain on an internet forum.
 

stompie

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Thread starter #18
Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll complain on an internet forum.
It wasn't actually a complaint. It was more of illustrating an example of how a moralistic cause is often used for the financial and political gain of vested interests.

It is very important to appreciate that in the arena of environmentalism. Although we need environmentalists, we also need to appreciate that they are businessness, and serve political interests. If we don't appreciate that, they will continue to serve up solutions that are full of holes.
 

MightyFighting

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#19
It wasn't actually a complaint. It was more of illustrating an example of how a moralistic cause is often used for the financial and political gain of vested interests.

It is very important to appreciate that in the arena of environmentalism. Although we need environmentalists, we also need to appreciate that they are businessness, and serve political interests. If we don't appreciate that, they will continue to serve up solutions that are full of holes.
Riiiight... because only left wingers complain. Right wingers illustrate examples of and so on and so forth.
 

stompie

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Thread starter #22
He says in one sentence :thumbsu:
He tries to find hypocrisy with a one sentence criticism. Are you like Mantis and trying to imply that I am as bad you you?

Although I have agreed that I, like Mantis, am no love merchant, I will have to disagree that all my posts are a mere one sentence long.
 

- PC -

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#24
He tries to find hypocrisy with a one sentence criticism. Are you like Mantis and trying to imply that I am as bad you you?

Although I have agreed that I, like Mantis, am no love merchant, I will have to disagree that all my posts are a mere one sentence long.
The word I was thinking was irony
 
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