'Fish Don't Vote'

" Easily vital water pumps in California was shut down to protect a two inch -- now since then farmers and workers. Have been protesting that decision and appealing to lawmakers to reverse it. Our own Ainsley Earhardt visited the region in May take a look at this."

" California's central valley is considered by many to be the richest and most productive farmland in the nation. That this land is being threatened by the small harmless looking Minogue called the delta smelt. Recently landed on the endangered species list prompting a federal court to shut down vital pumps to farmers to help preserve small farm."

" Cars along all of this plan -- two thirds of the state of California have dependent on water -- to grow their crops. But the waters turned off here since none of these. Farmers can expect to get any water that's correct."

" Two years ago I wouldn't been able to do that yes this was a canal full of gushing water here gaining the farmland here in the San Joaquin Valley. But as you can see it is all dried up and the pumps were turned off after environmentalists want a federal court case what."

" We have today is a manmade drought brought on by laws passed by congress to where we're taking the bread basket of the world. And starving it of water to save a little fish which is outrageous."

" And joining me now is actor comedian Paul Rodriguez he has been an outspoken opponent of shutting down the pumps up policy."

" Thank you shot you know we're not going to be farmers any longer we initially firewood. Because our trees won't last another six months without any water. It's it's really sad situation that both of us who told the farm my mother my family in the central San Joaquin perhaps the most fertile soil and -- Our knowledge this city they're getting ready go on welfare or some other kind of support because we can't farm."

" Decided Paula this is so serious and it's almost mind numbing that this could happen actually she showed the little delta smelt who of this little little fish."

" That is now on the endangered species list now."

" They literally have shut down you are getting and farmers are getting 0%. Water their trees and their farms are dying is that the right."

" And that gets another years they've given us -- allocation that we put them. Drip irrigation we try to a compromise that to try to continue that crops up. But now the second opinion from the federal those things fisheries commission has come out and they're saying that our actions were like 300 border. Miles inland are -- is also threatening the killer whale the steelhead. And also that the of the greens they're really love these fish have never seen. -- The killer -- what sixty miles away. The killer whale I've not seen one on the highway at all but it can. We're affecting their reproduction you know I don't know what to do so ridiculous that might as well put. They -- an 80000 jobs Amendola a single city Amendola empire -- has 41% unemployment high. Unemployment the highest in the nation. How I got involved. Is simply because there was no water coming to our farmland and the problem here is that there isn't a drought there's plenty of water. We tried everything from doing bubbles and and lights to prevent the fish we've -- asked for a peripheral canal. The post all these ideas I think there when the endangered species and -- was put on it didn't take human. That humans into consideration I don't know what they want us to do we try to get the attention of the administration mr. Salazar was gracious enough to fly over our valley. But didn't bat I don't know why this plane approached the man now. You know because there's not enough will finally going on."

" Yet but this isn't settled but this is not funny I mean this little little little fish. And I am literally farmers are they -- their farms are becoming worthless. There -- the primary guy in their trees are dying you can't bring these back."

" When -- humans she endanger human last year I mean they're willing to just wipe out the economy in the us this important vital growing area of our country."

" We knew nothing apparently you know America doesn't do much of anything that the really good anymore apparently for what you know. But we are the best farmers in the world we grow the most food at least expect this. If if people are happy with foreign oil you're gonna love your foreign food here you're -- coming from China. What we're seeing here is why don't this. You know they they don't understand that without the food that we grow in the -- fuel prices are going to blow up it's not going to help the economy. Putting 80000 dollars I don't work it's not going to be a good stimulus package I appeal to mr. Obama -- to consider and look at us."

" I guy I hope he does he's certainly not going to listen to me maybe you'll be you'll have more -- an opportunity to speak to -- is that he reminds glad that you remind everyone that fish they have powerful lobbies but they don't bald faced not -- we do and we're going to remember this we're elected officials when -- federal pumps opened yesterday when the water desperately I can't believe. This is solely on American -- a lot about putting into consideration our lives we live there and Paul this is serious stuff. This is not a laughing matter I mean you're known for being a great comedian he looks at the in the past is very interesting. I I always I always thought you more left -- center to verify that they are members of years ago you take a shot at least somewhere -- if you're this just to ensure political as they did but it."

" This has changed not only this has not changed my political point of view it -- change everyone around me we have always been a lifelong. They voted Democrat I supported mr. Obama. -- I'm part of the I love you mr. Obama group announced that put peanut studying a failed I want. I want my number to call me there's 80000 levels over here hoping to get suburban precipitation here. Listen we we need to continue to farm we and we need that water opened baton. I appeal to mr. Ken Salazar interior secretary of the peace plan this time talked to us come see us look at the -- is -- effective."

" But some Paul this is serious these are 8000 jobs you write the price of food is going to go up. This is one area in the country for those those that don't know this area of the -- of Fresno area of California. We can grow just about anything. It is some of the moment of arrest you -- of total blast and we're blessed because of the group of hard work of the farmers as we get to -- the great followed. Which is now dying and it's that the because of a little metal fish and just crazy and they have because."

" Side. You know you know they have to decide -- on whether you want fresh vegetables coming from China or Chile or someplace else. Or you come from the San Joaquin Valley where you have the federal food administration looking over. This is this problem can be -- they can open these. These -- that the mean there's enough water for the fish and for people what -- is will the will to do the right thing here for whatever reasons you know California is functioning when they antiquated system that was built in the forties and the fifties. This will be a great idea part of these the most respected should come in there's green jobs why not come out this concern for everybody it's a win win situation I don't know what their reasoning is. But we don't have any water and desperate people do desperate things yesterday I believe some truckers want to stop the highway. I think they're just going to get worse we're not moving we're not going anywhere we're going to get that water. -- these farms are dying."

" Paul and I got to take anything we do to help via what we shall -- this effort and I I hope. Look President Obama don't do for me to look for Paul Rodriguez due to the 80000 jobs -- for the far."

" Visit us get a good I want -- I love his. Did you shine come and visit us in the belly. The odds of having mr. Obama down there are slim we would with of course he's open to the coming feels but you should come on the why does this powerful Michael Foreman are dilemma like you have we try to appreciate that don't."

" Going to come and nothing else I promise you that I will talk how blessed I will do everything I can do and I -- when we talk -- talk about who we can get to maybe influence. This administration we cannot lose these jobs at this time -- our country cannot we cannot raise the price of food. This way over a ridiculous issue like this but I admire what you Dylan I'm -- by the way -- I fully have completely hypnotize you know that. And you'll have a not apologize for our jokes about half -- income went up at. No more that there is a whole list of other comedians out there that had taken funny show about the -- some material for com slash yeah. There are familiar word there with downright. Paul good to talk TM well we'll be following you as you well god bless you and."