Common sense, anyone?

Sometimes the
legislature passes
really dumb laws

In case you haven’t noticed, the world is no longer spinning on its axis.

The sun rose this morning from the west.

Chickens no longer bob their heads when they walk.

Oh, my goodness, the humanity!

Arkansas voters will go to the polls in 2010 to vote on a state constitutional amendment that creates the right for Arkansans to hunt, fish, trap and harvest wildlife.

Game and Fish Chairman Freddie Black sent an email to G&FC Director Loren Hitchcock: “Great job! Congratulations!”

Sounds like the power of cannabis talking.

Okay, time to simmer down. On the merits of the words, there’s nothing wrong with Arkansans having the right to hunt and fish within the state borders. Shoot, we already have that right. Right? If we can forget the lawsuits that will be filed and the hundreds of thousands of dollars that will be spent defending this piece of political clap-trap, and, if the proposed amendment doesn’t hinder the commission in performing its legal duties, this is a really good amendment proposal.

A voice of reason from the wilderness? Anyone?

G&FC Commissioner Ron Duncan took a slightly different stance on the proposed constitutional amendment: “I would prefer seeing the buck-fifty license (bill to increase hunting and fishing license fees) passed than this piece of trash.”

Look for bumper stickers to appear by the Common Sense party for “Duncan for Governor.”

The notion would be totally ludicrous if there were not six of the seven commissioners in favor of it, as is Atty. Gen. Dustin McDaniel, who said he supports it as a hunter and fisherman. Should we give McDaniel some slack because he’s a politician and will say anything to set himself to be governor one day? Naw! His position is just dead-dog dumb and peaks the needle on the “Pander-o-meter.”

Those in favor of the proposal say it’s just a “safety measure” to prevent possible legal intrusions in the right of Arkansans to hunt and fish. Hogwash, anyone?

Even the commission’s own attorneys have unanimously indicated the proposed amendment could be detrimental to the ability of the commission to carry out its duties. The commission members, save one, seem to know the law-side of things than paid legal advisors.

For the record, the state Senate voted 29-0 to put the amendment to the vote of the people; the House vote was 70-9.

Next year, the voters will get to say “yea” or “nay” on the measure. And, after that, let the lawsuits begin.

Final note: How about a constitutional amendment to abolish the Arkansas Legislature? Seems in order if they are going to waste their time coming up with dumb amendments that allow people the right to do what they already have the right to do.

A real good idea

This constitutional amendment thing might be put to use for the common good after all.

How about this: A constitutional amendment mandating that the state university and college sports teams win at least 80 percent of their games each season. The coaches then have no option to obey the mandate of the people.

There, another thorny problem solved.