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Quick Fix by Gregg Larson Seattle Times, February 26, 2008

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is

I understand Fidelia Andy's frustration with the lack of real solutions to the salmon crisis in the Columbia Basin ["Sea lions vs. salmon: Restore balance and common sense," guest commentary, Feb. 15].

If killing some sea lions would get us our salmon back, I would support the idea. But to me, it just takes valuable time, energy and money away from issues that Andy also addressed in her column, such as habitat degradation and impacts from dams.

I know that elected leaders such as Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell probably find it easier to address an issue like killing unpopular sea lions than removing four outdated dams on the Snake River. But I would hope our leaders have enough courage to face issues even when they are complex and not easily explained in a sound bite.

Kill sea lions, save salmon? That's just too easy to be true.