US Marines create sanctuary for turtles. (Iraq, Afghanistan, controversial, highway)

[wutitiz]

Marines create a haven for tortoises in Calif. desert - U.S. - Stripes

Ok, I like turtles as much as the next guy. I was always amazed when coming across a turtle in my explorations growing up as a boy in the midwest. But is this what the US Marines have come to? Don't they have more important things to do? Isn't there a civilian volunteer org that could take care of the turtles?

Originally Posted by LA Times

More than 90 percent of Marines who deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan came to Twentynine Palms for several weeks of grueling training known as Mojave Viper. And every one of them received a video lecture about the tortoise’s threatened status under the federal Endangered Species Act. Troops were warned to halt all training and notify the range master the moment a tortoise is spotted.

Marines are also ordered to make the base less hospitable to ravens by picking up food litter and making sure trash cans have lids that are “raven-proof.” Anti-raven pamphlets titled “Invasion of the Tortoise Snatchers” are handed out.

Wouldn't we be all be better off if Marines were spending their time on target practice and bayonet drills?

[Savoir Faire]

Only you would see this as controversial or political

Stop bashing the troops!!

[whogo]

I'd have them target practicing shooting at them ravens.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by wutitiz

Marines create a haven for tortoises in Calif. desert - U.S. - Stripes

Ok, I like turtles as much as the next guy. I was always amazed when coming across a turtle in my explorations growing up as a boy in the midwest. But is this what the US Marines have come to? Don't they have more important things to do? Isn't there a civilian volunteer org that could take care of the turtles?



Wouldn't we be all be better off if Marines were spending their time on target practice and bayonet drills?

I have no problem with Marines being informed about the tortoises. Marines can do a lot of damage to the environment while training. If they can be informed enough to minimize the damage they do, the better off the tortoise will be. However, there is only so much they can do. A round from a 105mm Howitzer is going to create a sizable crater when it impacts, and there is nothing Marines can do about that.

There are civilian volunteer organizations: California Turtle and Tortoise Club, CTTC

I have been to Twentynine Palms for training myself, back in the 1970s, and saw more than a few tortoises. Frankly, I did not give them much thought at the time. I was more concerned with tarantulas, black widows, diamondbacks, sidewinders, and above all staying cool. Tortoises were pretty low on my list of priorities.

[PullMyFinger]

I think they are being taught respect for nature. Nothing wrong with that. My Dad was a Marine in WWII and served in some of the most horrific places in the world and some of the bloodiest battles. But when he got home he would not own a gun, would not harm an animal. He was a farmer his whole life, I remember having to wait days to use a piece of equipment we needed while he figured out how to move a birds nest without disturbing it. I remember him stopping the car to help a turtle off a busy highway. I think they learn to respect all life when they've been in a situation that respects none.