Manatees Get De-listed

Manatees (factsheet here) have been de-listed in Florida and are no longer considered "endangered." Now, they are "threatened."

As a linguist, this is fascinating to me. I immediately wonder, who has something to gain by downgrading the status of the manatee. With downgrading comes less protection, so it’s probably inconvenient for some party to protect them. Hmmmm, maybe boaters? Gee, they’re responsible for most manatee deaths, and they grease the economy by purchasing boats and fuel. And–because boaters increase in number each year, we are in need (some say) of more dock space, and guess who often lives in that space?

You guessed it: marine mammals, such as the manatee. And if the manatee gets greater protection, guess whose docks will have difficulty getting built?

I’d love to say I’m making all of this up, or that I’m a conspiracy theorist. I simply follow the language and the money, and inevitably the real story emerges.

For a history of the manatee’s listing woes, go to either Defenders of Wildlife or the Humane Society of the United States. THEN, go somewhere like the Heartland Institute, and observe the different ways the situation is presented.

Libertarians, as well as those who constantly use the phrase "free market," often try to portray those on the other team as emotional, lunatic activists who don’t want anyone to have any fun. In addition, they’ll claim that they are being objective and "scientific," while the other team (Liberals and such) use subjective guidelines that don’t include real science.

This reminds me of the global warming argument, and I’ve seen the facts there, too. Global warming is real, and manatees really are in trouble.