ROADKILL: Bill is common sense

The opinion page editors of the CDA Press get kudos from me for choosing to print columns such as Mike Ruskovich’s rant about a local politician’s bill to decriminalize utilizing road kill. Using ridicule as a tool is a tactic in debate with most passionate progressives.

This bill is a relatively quick and long overdue vote of common sense. Approximately 10 years ago I heard a gunshot about 100 yards in front of my home along Highway 41 north of Rathdrum. I went out to find that a state patrolman had to put a moose out of its misery; it was literally leaning against my fence.

The lady and her daughter were in the back of the patrolman’s car, very shaken up. The tow truck had already been called to tow away their obviously totaled car. I examined the dead animal and saw the injury. There was probably 125 lbs. of completely undamaged meat. A polite conversation between the officer and I was going on when a kind of van came and took it away.

A simple yes, instead of a no, would have put meat in a freezer instead of a pit or a hole somewhere. Food banks do not process whole wild game, so don’t go there. I know; I called.

Mr. Ruskovich’s distaste for Mr. Harwood is as clear as his ignorance of the topic he gleefully mocks, for to purposely aim for big game for horns or meat would be akin to aiming for an apple tree for the fruit. So please, while you’re campaigning against a representative don’t use this issue as a prop.

If someone doesn’t propose such a bill this stupid law remains on the books! At least he’s not using his (our) precious legislative time to advance an issue that is important to you.

BRUCE FOSTER

Rathdrum