Here's the second article I wrote yesterday, per an interview I did with Lois Capps (D-CA). It's supposed to be a sidebar to a larger article the paper did with local coverage.

Now, this whole feral pig-hunting thing, whether or not all the publicity really reflects the true level of opposition, is a touchy subject back in SB.

The News-Press editorial staff has come out against killing the pigs, and has been critical of Mrs. Capps in the process. (Which makes my job covering this one extra-fun.)

The National Park Service has deemed it necessary to eradicate the pigs in order to same Santa Cruz Island's native species, per the Endangered Species Act.

You ask me, it's an open-and-shut case. But of course, there are always the animal nuts. And my own paper, apparently.

So talking Capps and covering this for the paper, I felt like a kid trapped between two parents fighting. And sure enough: The headline says, "Capps links island killings to Endangered Species Act"

...well no shit! That's what they're doing this hunt for! It's not like Capps just threw that theory out there or something - it's the law. She's not saying anything new or controversial. But that headline makes it sound otherwise. Which makes me look a bit wacky.

And then, the editors cut the last part of my article, where I have Capps saying that only a "small number" of people have called her in concern of the pigs. I think that's an important detail, to follow the source being critical. But of course, the paper's against the pig-hunt and voila! Cut.

*Sigh* Mommy and daddy, please stop fighting.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go eat some bacon.

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Capps links island killings to Endangered Species Act

4/9/05
By DICKIE CRONKITE
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT


WASHINGTON -- Rep. Lois Capps on Friday sought to quell controversy about the National Park Service decision to eradicate the feral pig population on Santa Cruz Island, saying that the agency is following the mandate of the Endangered Species Act.

"I have to be a law-abiding member of Congress,'' Mrs. Capps said. "I don't set the policies of the Park Service,'' she said. "I do take seriously that they follow the scientific procedures.''

The federal environmental law's stated purpose is "to provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered species and threatened species depend may be conserved,'' and "to provide a program for the conservation of such endangered species and threatened species.''

In a statement released later on Friday, Mrs. Capps said, "I understand that the removal of the pigs is not a pleasant undertaking, but it is the only action that can save the (Island) fox, which is required by law, and bring back the bald eagle.''

Mrs. Capps said she had arranged for Humane Society officials to meet with the Park Service to discuss the pigs. "That, I think, is an appropriate role for me to take,'' she said.

Scarlet Newton, spokeswoman for the Channel Islands Animal Protection Association, criticized Mrs. Capps on Friday.

"Capps has consistently and repeatedly promoted the agenda of the National Park Service in opposition to her constituents who have thoroughly researched the cruelty and deceit of these restoration projects," Ms. Newton said.


Dickie Cronkite writes from Washington, D.C., for Medill News Service. E-mail him at ******@newspress.com.