Outdoors in RI: Of fishing, offshore turbines, election kerfuffles, and 2A updates- Jeff Gross

by Jeff Gross, contributing writer

Photo, top: Jeff Kozlin

As many are enjoying the fruits of warm weather fishing (a friend continues to slam the stripers), a reminder is needed that we must protect our fishing and hunting heritages. Back in 2020 this writer had 2 different adults interfere with his fishing trip while on McGrath Pond in Belgrade, Maine.  While they did say they owned the land they both told me they did not want me fishing in the waters in front of their property. The crazy lady told me I would leave fishhooks all over the bottom in a dispute with her.  The crazy guy was so adamant about me not fishing in front of his property that he actually swam out to interfere with my casting of my fishing lines.

Yes, I know, I tend to be an asshole magnet. Currently the Town of Tiverton has postponed the Fishing Ban hearing until July.  That is a great decision as I plan to attend.  Since the removal of those with opposing opinions is becoming the standard practice at many town council meetings statewide, I wonder what will happen that night? Take the warning seriously that if left unchecked there are forces that will ban hunting and fishing.  They will not attempt the actions all at once, but in small increments.

Fishing Tip:  if one catches a small mouth bass rest assured there are more in that spot. When the writer was reeling in the 1st Smallie at 15″ there were 2 other same-size Smallies trying to steal the lure from his mouth. Hence, stay in the area as you are likely to catch more Smallies.  This writer did, and hooked a 12″ Smallie. 

While on the lake there was no sign of bad weather, however that changed for northern Rhode Island by 10 pm Wednesday Night. The storms were so intense that Route 44 in Chepachet had been closed until 10 am as 2 large oak trees collapsed and blocked the road. A neighbor of the editor appears to have had their house struck by lightning in Cranston, and sadly 2 dogs perished in the incident that resulted in a fire that might mean a total house loss.  Emergency tip:  Never take chances on the water with thunderstorms.  This writer has had his share of negative encounters with lightning.  Also, in all crises we make plans on how to deal with ourselves, however, make plans on how to protect our pets as well.  Abby is always checked on when I am not home, but I also have back-up plans in case she needs to be evacuated.  Think ahead as hurricane season is upon us.

SCOTUS decision

The Supreme Court’s move to overturn a doctrine known as Chevron deference will completely change how environmental and consumer protections are decided. From “The Verge”:

“On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned a long-standing legal doctrine in the US, making a transformative ruling that could hamper federal agencies’ ability to regulate all kinds of industry. Six justices voted to overturn the doctrine, called Chevron deference, a decision that could affect everything from pollution limits to consumer protections in the US. 

Chevron deference allows courts to defer to federal agencies when there are disputes over how to interpret ambiguous language in legislation passed by Congress. That’s supposed to lead to more informed decisions by leaning on expertise within those agencies. By overturning the Chevron doctrine, the conservative-dominated SCOTUS decided that judges ought to make the call instead of agency experts.” 

Offshore Wind Turbines

Will the offshore Wind Turbines hold up in a tropical storm, let alone a hurricane?  We will be finding out soon, I am sure.  Having access to photos of makeshift repairs on a Block Island Turbine, I wonder how long they will remain intact during sustained tropical force winds or worse, hurricane force?  Remember 75% of Texas lost power due to a winter storm in February, 2021. An estimated 702 people died as a result of the storm. What will happen to Rhode Island’s electrical grid when the turbines collapse, or at least short circuit?  Look what happen to the RI grid last night with a few oak trees. What also comes as no surprise is being reported on 6/27/2024 that 50% of EV cars are turning them in to buy new gasoline powered cars.

Photos: Scott Travers

A good friend stated lasted night these stop gap climate change solutions are just throwing a solution that is untested to fix another problem.  As a result now we have 2 problems.  Or in the case of the Offshore Turbines, many problems.  

When I was in the USCG as a Marine Science NCO, we would see them (whales) DOA around the Cape once or twice a year coupled with some Dolphins that beached themselves. Lately, whale deaths are an every week occurrence. All that is changed is the installation of the turbines.  The turbines do emit noise. Both audible and sub-sonic, and likely ultra-sonic. I stood within 60 yards of the ones on Plainfield Pike, in Johnston. The sounds emitted are highly noticeable and troubling. Remember sound is amplified in the water. It is not rocket science to figure out the culprit of the whale deaths. But who cares about the whales, right? Go Green – and see the world collapse. Like that Little Compton Democrat said, “Jeff, it is all about the money”.

Elections:

As Election Day rapidly approaches, it is apparent that the bad actors will be up to their disinformation plans and scams again.  Wednesday the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the plaintiff states of MO and LA did not have concrete evidence against the Biden administration. 

This writer is currently looking for an alternative to FB and Nextdoor as he is often censored by the platforms even though his posts are based on facts.  This decision was necessitated due to the SCOTUS decision. Most of his colleagues have complained about being censored.  All are, in fact, are conservatives.

Most of the anti-Trump bad actors will see this SCOTUS decision to propagate their agenda.  Within the last 48 hours this writer had to deal with some salacious misinformation that “Trump is behind in ALL the Polls”. Which in fact if the election was held today Trump would garner 312 in the electoral college – making him the next President.  270 is the winning number in the electoral college.  The misinformed went to the extent of blocking me out of the conversation so as to protect her deceitful statement. There were other conservatives involved in the conversation, however it appears they were silenced as well. The progressive also threw in that this country was not founded on Christianity which is a falsehood. God is mentioned in the 1st paragraph of the Declaration of Independence and then numerous other locations as well.  It is time for all to revisit and reeducate themselves on the founding principles of this great country, instead of using their cranial appendage as a marijuana receptacle. 

Dave Mulligan a US history Professor at Bristol Community College is a gifted US history professor and I recommend taking his classes.  My dear and late friend RI Representative Stephen Anderson from Coventry would have enjoyed meeting Dave as they both shared the same passion for truthful US history. 

With this behavior from the progressive bad actors, we, as conservatives, if we are, need to stop the berating and abuse of conservatives by progressives.  Not only was I berated for what was seen as pro-Trump views, but I was threatened with physical harm as well by another anti Trump Progressive.  This fool wanted to get into a physical altercation with me. I stated that if he wants that he can track me down.  It is this nonsensical behavior that we must stand up to and push back on with force.  Some people have been catered to for so long they expect their way all the time like spoiled children.  I am pushing back already, and the progressives I’ve interacted with are having a meltdown as a result. I suggest all conservatives stand their ground.

Second Amendment

Merrick Garland did not win the Rahimi SCOTUS gun case.  He and Biden hoped that SCOTUS would return to interest balancing, but they did not.  An analogy would benefit someone brings a lawsuit against another party and wins the lawsuit, but is only awarded $1.  Yes, that has actually happened.  The Rahimi decision ended in the same manner.  His disarmament stands but the case ended there.  No further findings.  In fact, SCOTUS stated it did not address red flag laws.  SCOTUS tossed out the fact the Government stated a person needs to be responsible otherwise can lose their guns.  Gun owners can expect a full assault on their gun rights as advocates are already pushing for a national Red Flag Law.  The belief is this law will be used to disarm anyone who the government deems a threat.

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Jeffrey “Jeff” Gross spent 21 years as an Analytical Chemist at the USCG R&D Center in Groton, Connecticut, Woods Hole Laboratories, and Helix Technologies. Changing careers is a “great learning experience for everyone”, Jeff says, and I’m an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a student of the sciences, and the world. The US holds too many wonders not to take a chance and explore them”.

Jeff is the Model Train and Railroad entrepreneur. Proud Golden Retriever owner. Ultra strong Second Amendment Advocate and Constitutionalist. “Determined seeker of the truth”.  Jeff is a RIFGPA Legislative and Legal Officer, Freshwater Chairman, NRA Liaison.

His subjects include Outdoors, Second Amendment, Model Railroading, Commentary, and Whimsical. He can be reached at: [email protected].