Wisconsin Is Open For Asian Carp

Anybody heard from Gov. Scott Walker about Asian carp?

He's devoted time, political capital and laissez-faire message creation over 1.35 acres he wants filled fast in Green Bay for a fishing equipment store the operators say they will not build on the site,  but what of the rather larger expanse of water nearby called Lake Michigan and its relevance to Wisconsin should Asian carp breakthrough into the lake?

Walker says he's for jobs, jobs, jobs - - but what about the tens of thousands of jobs from Door County to Kenosha directly tied to a health Lake Michigan that an Asian carp invasion will harm?

Who wants to ride of fishing boat if you need to wear a protective helmet?  Will a fish boil with carp fill the lodges and restaurants all summer in Egg Harbor?

Michigan officials - - regardless of party - - have bee at the forefront of efforts to force the federal government to act.

We sometimes hear a peep out of our Attorney General, but it seems as if he always has bigger fish to fry, like chasing phantom voting fraud cases.

Walker's new corporate team at the DNR hasn't made the carp a priority. They're too busy thumbing through manuals and documents looking rules to cut with the zeal of early bird shoppers clipping Sunday newspaper coupons to take a strong position on carp prevention.

Leadership on the carp issue wit h Wisconsin's economy and environment is a no-brainer for every Wisconsin politician, but Team Walker on carp is AWOL.

Maybe they are afraid to take on the issue with gusto because they'd have to be aligned with some environmentalists, perhaps even some Democrats?

Maybe they are worried that a touch stance would put them in conflict with Illinois business interests who want the carp's probable route - - the Chicago shipping and refuse canal - - kept open?

Maybe they just don't see an activist role for Wisconsin government when it comes to Lake Michigan, but getting a small parcel of wetlands filled for a business that doesn't want it - - well, that's manageable;e.

Regardless, Walker's inaction keeps Wisconsin open for the carp.