What everyone else calls Asian carp are now known in Minnesota as "invasive carp," after the State Senate last week approved a measure officially changing the "hurtful" name of the fish. That was enough to drive Rush Limbaugh nuts.
State Sen. John Hoffman, who argued in favor of the name change, told his colleagues that referring to the fish as Asian was "hurtful to some people," considering the fish is an invasive, destructive species that out-competes native fish species for food and habitat,
The Associated Press reported.
The name change was included in a larger bill that governs Minnesota natural-resource use, the AP noted.
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The politically correct gesture was not missed by
conservative radio host Limbaugh, who on his website on Monday wrote, "Political correctness is just going nuts, going crazy," referring to the Minnesota State Senate's decision to spend time on what he sees as a trivial issue.
"Who was offended? I'll betcha nobody was. Nobody even knew. This guy is just trying to be politically correct and score some points," Limbaugh continued. "This political correctness just continues to spread. It's like a disease. It's like an incurable disease. It just spreading and it's irrational."
According to a report released last April,
the aggressive Asian carp has reached the Great Lakes despite the government's attempt to keep them out. Researchers now believe the destructive species, which has been steadily moving northward for about 40 years, are now in southern Lake Michigan, putting at risk a sensitive ecosystems and a $7 billion fishing industry.
The species is known to be incredibly prolific and can reach a weight of up to 100 pounds by gorging on plankton.
Initially imported into the U.S. in the 1970s to filter pond water in Arkansas fish farms, Asian carp managed to escape and, according to the National Wildlife Federation, presently represent more than 97 percent of the biomass in portions of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.
In addition to their size and the risk they pose for native fish, Asian carp are also known for their jumping abilities. They are easily frightened by the sound of underwater motors which cause them to jump out of the water and have been known to land in passing boats.
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