‘Carp’-e diem: Time is now to unite against Great Lakes invaders

Well, well, well. You can take the Obama out of Chicago, but not the Chicago out of Obama.

The latest political currents are pulling our Chicago-native president to try and keep the Chicago sewer canals open, despite the looming threat of Asian carp.

Michigan Attorney Mike Cox said he is “extremely disappointed by President Obama’s choice to protect the narrow interests of his home state.”

Not to mention his hometown.

The Detroit Free Press is printing editorials chastising the federal government for its hypocrisy. On the one hand, the feds are giving millions for Great Lakes restoration, but on the other they’re not stepping in to stop the Asian carp threat. A threat that could cost not only millions for fishermen, but would likely result in many more millions in environmental rehabilitation.

While Michigan is up in arms, the Chicago Tribune is running stories like this one, featuring the tastier side of Asian carp.

But why won’t Illinois and it’s commander and chief allow the locks to stay closed? Well, shipping costs, says his minions.

“There are very significant economic, safety and environmental impacts that were not taken into account by Michigan,” Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said. “We don’t want the carp in the lake either but shutting down the locks at this point could be incredibly detrimental to the state.”

Economics go both ways, however. By potentially decimating the Great Lakes fisheries – as has already happened in the Mississippi River – Asian carp will cost millions for businesses and environmental efforts.

And it’s not just Michigan that’s crying foul to Illinois and Obama. It’s also Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio and even Ontario, which is every other land mass with significant investment in the Great Lakes.

Unfortunately, in the world of politics, five states and a province can’t overtake one state and a president.

At least not yet.