Fishing and Protesting

Occupy Wall Street and fishing? Now, they have nothing to do with each other, right? WRONG.

Tis the season for...fishing! News just in for all you fishermen and women in the Waddington, NY area. The New York State Department for Environmental Conservation has approved the increase in number of rods used while fishing, from two to three. Check out the news report here: http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20111016/ADV02/310169987

Not a big deal to you? Well it should be. It is a sustainable solution to economically providing for oneself and their families. The three-rod maximum allowance may seem insignificant on the scheme of things, but to those competitively and recreationally fishing in the Waddington area, it is a promise for prosperity and growth. The increase will most certainly have an impact on those who depend on the water for their livelihoods. They can increase rod use to hopefully catch a more desirable amount of fish. In turn, the economy around Waddington will spark with activity. Shops, restaurants, hotels, motels, camping grounds, and other depended upon economic facets will be utilized during peak fishing seasons.

So, you are probably asking yourself, does this really have any link with the current Occupy Wall Street protests? Well, yes! On a very basic level, the Occupy Wall Street protests are advocating for the majority of United States citizens to be heard and be economically, socially and politically treated as an equal. Though I believe everyone is entitled to a comfortable lifestyle, I do not think many have the opportunities around them to remain stable enough to support themselves, their families and the community. Just by allowing an increase in rod numbers can help to not only benefit individuals and their families, it promotes outside infiltration into New York communities to fish, eat in the community’s restaurants, buy items in shops and stores and help to keep the economy going. This small example helps to spark growth in our scarily crumbling economy. It gives light to areas in Upstate New York to continue to prosper economically and socially. From a personal perspective, growth in environmental awareness is important to let individuals know they can provide from themselves in many ways, outside the confines of our American economy. To me, living sustainably and off of the resources around one’s community benefits everyone. It is a small-scale example of how one can do good for our country, while doing good for oneself.

What are your perspectives on Occupy Wall Street? Has your lifestyle been affected by the protests, either positively or negatively? Let’s start a discussion and get a conversation rolling!