Being an avid angler, I could not help but look in disbelief at the video of the flying fish. Apparently we have another exotic import to deal with adding to an already growing list of invasive intruders. The fish are Asian Carp and when a motorized device such as a motorboat is in the water nearby, the vibrations send the skittish fish into a flying frenzy. They have already taken over parts of the Illinois River, are said to be voracious eaters and are displacing native fish such as bass, catfish and bluegills. No matter what, this is not a good thing.
Many people may find this interestingly funny, but it is just another blow to our American way of life. We have been invaded not only by people who enter our country illegally, but also by different species of plant, insect and animal life that have never been in our country before. Thousands of years have successfully passed without the promotion of globalization, a system of trade what many economists and political leaders feel is mandatory for human progress. People who understand the consequences resulting from this profit oriented globalization are wrongfully labeled as “isolationists” or “protectionists” when they just want to keep the choice of life they have fought for secure, here in America.
Just consider the list of invaders that have taken over and displaced native species. The latest insect invader, the Emerald Ash Borer may end up destroying millions of Ash trees throughout the midwest. Chicago including nearby areas have fought off the Asian long-Horn Beetle and we have plenty of Eurasian Milfoil choking our lakes and rivers. Zebra Mussels and round Gobies threaten the Great Lakes, while closer to home in southern Wisconsin we have Garlic Mustard and Purple Loose-Strife among an ever growing list of invasive plants taking over. I haven't even scratched the surface.
I can’t help but think of the eerie similarities and correlation to all of this with foreign produce, electronics, furniture and vehicles that we willingly introduce into our economic environment just to “save” money. How imported vehicles have displaced our own American built is nearly identical to the spread of Garlic Mustard displacing lower growing native plants. The natives have simply been out-competed and are less prolific. How many products like an American made television for instance are now “extinct.” How far away is the lake perch, plankton or native phlox from becoming extinct?
The foreign made goods come at a huge price to our quality of life while those that raked in the profits have said they are doing us all a favor. People who refuse to ignore the problem are ridiculed and called complainers and whiners. Invasive people, plants, insects and fish combined with polluted air, contaminated water and soil are a threat to our national security and all seem to emanate from one central source, if you know what I mean.
From now on, I’m going to refer to the flying Asian Carps as “Toyotas,” just for kicks. That ought to rile a few feathers.
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