Comments by Pagurus
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Posted on February 24 at 7:51 a.m.
The wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow, especially when the grit of too-much money, unearned, is thrown in its gears. Fortunately, history will record Mr. Roberts as the hero in this tragedy (along with the many reporters who stood up to tyranny), and Ms. McCaw as someone whose expensive education didn't succeed in instilling an understanding or appreciation of American journalism. Hers is a sad story of hubris, and there's never enough money to paper over the inner loneliness of never knowing whether any of her 'friends' love her for who she is rather than for the money of divorce. That's called Karma.
Posted on February 8 at 11:17 a.m.
Good things can come from conflict and chaos - and clarity helps.
Posted on February 7 at 4:05 p.m.
I said I'd shut up, but need to respond to MVM's alleged (by momo) 'resignation' as a columnist: I'm sorry to hear it. While I don't care for his writing style, thinking it over-wrought and labored, I think he could perform a greater service, with more effect, if he'd drop the flowery prose and turn up the honest and hard scholarship. He's a smart human, I think he has a good heart, and I'd like to see him keep at it. Life's a journey, and a little criticism shouldn't deter anyone. But I'll still keep the negative stuff to myself from now on.
Posted on February 7 at 8:48 a.m.
Momohonu: I appreciate your responses (except for the part about expulsion from the right to comment - but that's ok) and clarification of some of my observations about McGinnis's columns in this paper. You seem to be very informed about the Advisory Council process, and I only have the say-so of a couple of former members of the Council about MVM's involvement in that process. And on that basis, I suppose I am biased. Your point about the need for "values" in the conversation around fisheries (or any exploitation) I also agree with, but not to the exclusion of science - and I don't recall MVM really ever examining the science (or the political processes which often warp it) behind fishery decisions.
It may be his writing style that, as you put it, is 'difficult,' that I may be responding to as much as anything. Obviously, I don't find it as thoughtful as you seem to. But I wonder whether those fishery managers who you cite as not complaining about MVM's columns read them - wouldn't you be interested in some form of collected response? I would.
Finally, I completely support the basis for McGinnis's writing and his concerns: the oceans and their species, whether fished or not, are in big trouble, and we DO need to change our ways. I just want to see a better (and honest) linking between values and scholarship.
And, having said this, I will shut up about it.
BTW, there are more than the hairy hermit crab among local species, and I was thinking more about the kid's book, Pagurus Pagoo - just because it one of my favorites.
Posted on February 6 at 2:56 p.m.
Martha: I'm well aware of McGinnis's 'academic' credentials. Unfortunately, none of them pertain to actual work, or education, as a marine biologist which might have better equipped him for understanding the fisheries and ecosystems he comments on in these columns. I'm also aware that when McGinnis served on a Channel Islands advisory committee, purportedly representing UCSB (he wasn't), he was the only member to resigned in 'protest' of the consensus the committee arrived at. So much for his understanding of how 'communities' function.
It's easy to criticize fisheries managers, especially when their complicated work is further complicated by political interference, and it would be a much better service if McGinnis would focus on this aspect. After all, isn't that what a political science major is educated to do?
I have a suggestion: why don't you do a local poll among fishery professionals, academic and governmental, to ask how they regard McGinnis's literary contributions?
Posted on February 6 at 9:26 a.m.
McGinnis's attempts to be "poetic," might have some heft if he knew what he was writing about. It must be terrible to pretend to be an expert on sea life without a shred of any real experience with it. Instead, he's become a random word generator...
Posted on January 2 at 1:30 a.m.
Too bad McGinnis wasn't filled with the "spirit of community" when he resigned in protest from the Channel Islands advisory board a few years back when he didn't get his way over fishing restrictions. This guy still rings hollow in his appliqued high-mindedness. Or, as the Polynesians would say: "A real Phoni-nua!"
Posted on December 21 at 7:16 a.m.
Starshine: Yes, don't use plastic in your microwave. If it's not BPA today, it will be some other heretofore unstudied, undetected petroleum-based hydrocarbon tomorrow. What's so hard about using glass, girl?
Also, when you're in need of a massage, just call. (insert smiley face emoticon here)
On Dear Santa
Posted on December 21 at 7:06 a.m.
Religion has useful aspects to it, until it gets into the hands of men (mostly) who use it for their own ends (See: "Life of Brian") and manipulate others through appealing to the inborn fears affecting most humans searching for "significance" (See" "Meaning of Life"). Religious-based strife will continue as long as individuals remain uncomfortable with not knowing the unknowable and who refuse to understand that 'moral behavior' does not depend or need religion to justify it. Evolution favors energy conservation, ultimately, and being good (kind, compassionate, cooperative, happy) saves a whole bunch of energy. That's it. That's all there is until the whole thing blinks out in the maw of a hungry black hole and gets spit out to start over somewhere else in this whole improbable miracle.
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Posted on March 2 at 7:41 a.m.
Hmmmm....perhaps this is the way to overcome man's historical nostril-flaring, temple-throbbing fascination with the female body: over-exposure. But that would require co-ed Nekkid Yogurt classes. What a hoot...
On ‘Om’ Em Gee: I Did Naked Yoga