Seldom these days do I have anything good to say about any legislator anywhere. That’s especially true with tax day so close. A big shout out to the IRS for the three extra days to hang on to my own money this year … whoooo hooooo!!!

So it’s a bit surprising to be blogging about a couple of good things some politicos did last week. First Representative Don Young, Republican Congressman of Alaska, showed good sense in turning down an award from the Humane Society of the United States. Young and his staff are astutely aware HSUS is nothing but a fraud trying to capitalize on the truly good work of others.

“HSUS are hypocrites, plain and simple, and I will not join them by accepting this award,” said Representative Young. “Local animal shelters and humane societies do excellent work by caring for neglected and homeless animals, and through their spaying and neutering programs.  This organization, however, has absolutely nothing to do with animal welfare.  Instead they prey on the emotions of big-hearted Americans. They flash images of abused animals on our television screens to raise money that will eventually go to pay salaries and pensions, not to helping better the lives of these animals. HSUS runs anti-hunting and anti-trapping campaigns and are of the same cloth as PETA and other extremist organizations. I can only guess I was to receive this award due to my support of the Wildlife Without Borders program, which develops wildlife management and conservation efforts to maintain global species diversity.  That program is true conservation; what this group wants is preservation. To accept this award would be supporting their manipulative ways and misguided agenda, and I want no part of that.”

Next the Iowa Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, led by Caucus Chairs, Sen. Dick Dearden and Rep. Rich Arnold, recently passed and Governor Terry Brandstad signed into law, legislation allowing dove hunting in Iowa. It’s the first time Iowans will be able to legally hunt doves at home in more than a century.

“This is something that I’ve been very passionate about over the years, and I’m glad this day has finally come,” said Dearden. “I think of the times that I’ve hunted with my sons and my grandson and my granddaughter and hopefully — if my oldest grandson gets going here — to have a great-grandchild to hunt with because I would like nothing more than to have four generations of us out hunting together.”

The new law directs the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to set dates for a new dove season in Iowa. It’s projected the economic impact of this law will attract approximately 20,000 dove hunters, create more than 90 jobs and provide $6.9 million to the state and local economies.

As much as it pains me to say it, “Nice job guys!”