Part of the reason for the continually-lamented lack of posting on this blog is the increasing separation between my internet- interests and my academic ones. As a number of more serious legal scholars than I am have pointed out, blogs simply don't easily admit serious scholarship, although it can be a great place to both work out germinating ideas, or to test ones that are mostly polished.

It can also be a great place to stick the occasional scraps of one's research. I, for example, am trying to think of a good topic for my seminar paper on wildlife regulation for Carol Rose's class (suggestions or thoughts in the comments are welcome), and in so doing, came across this amusing speech by Representative Lacey of Iowa, as he encouraged the House to pass the first real national wildlife protection act:

The love of birds is something that ought to be taught in every school. Their protection is something that ought to be inculcated in the mind of every boy and girl. . . . I have always been a hunter as well: for to day there is no friend that the birds have like the true sportsman-- the man who enjoys legitimate sport. He protects them out of season: he kills them in moderation in season. . . . I love the people who liove bids. The man or the woman who does not love birds ought to be classed with the person who has no love for music-- fit "only for treason, strategem, and spoils."

33 Cong. Rec. 4871-73 (1900) (Statement of Rep. Lacey)