These lagoons are nice to build upscale homes around, but from an ecological view they are unnatural fish traps. Luckily, more valuable fish that feed upon menhaden have not pursued them into the traps. A million suffocated stripers would be something to get upset about. Of course, early suspicions were that the nasty microbe pfisteria was at work, perhaps a continuation of problems blamed on run-off traced back to excessive use of chicken manure as fertilizer. But that does not appear to be the case this time.
Fish kills are a disquieting phenomenon, particularly to people who live within smelling range.
But it is not so much a marine catastrophe, as it is often portrayed by the media, as it is a consequence of overdevelopment at the water's edge. Negotiating with the Commission on Presidential Debates is, of course, about posturing for best political advantage. Vice President Al Gore, the Democrat whom detractors call a bore but who is an acknowledged glutton for policy detail, would seem to be one-up on the Republican Mr. Bush in this setting. It's still up to Mr. Bush to establish his mental range and seriousness of purpose in a challenging arena. The three TV debates will be in various cities in October.