KPAX-TV gets the prize for the picture of the week with a shot of one protestor outside the chambers of US District Judge Don Molloy. This, as Molloy listened to arguments from environmentalists hoping to place wolves back on the Endangered Species List.
You can find video, and the full story, here on KPAX-TV’s website. Here’s a screenshot of the pic:
Apparently you can also find a bumper sticker in Missoula which reads, “Wolves: Smoke a Pack a Day.” Here’s more from KPAX:
Attorneys for conservation groups are accusing Congress of taking a “politically expedient shortcut” to take Northern Rockies wolves off the Endangered Species List. And they want U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy to say that step was unconstitutional.
Of course, the big question now is whether or not Judge Molloy would place wolves back on the Endangered Species List.
He’s done it twice before. Plus, I think this quote picked up by Reuters is a sign that Molloy is ready to thumb his nose at Congress once again, and place wolves back on the list.
Government lawyer Andrea Gelatt said on Tuesday that Congress was entitled to effectively amend federal laws, such as the Endangered Species Act, by carving out exemptions to them, saying lawmakers may “speak by language of exceptions.”
But Molloy, who promised a prompt decision in the case, pressed her on the question of restricting court oversight.
“Then why is it not subject to judiciary review?” he asked. “This indirectly says, ‘We don’t like the result of this, so we’re reversing the court’s decision and telling the agency to go ahead and do something illegal.'”