The headline had 'lawsuit' and 'snakes' in it. Naturally, I thought it was about politics

It was an honest mistake on my part.

One that I believe is completely understandable when all the relevant factors are taken into consideration.

First, the article was published in the well-established, self-restrained, no-nonsense Arizona Capitol Times, a bastion of solid, serious, unbiased reporting on state government.

And the article was written by the unquestioned dean of Arizona political reporting, Capitol Media Services’ Howard Fischer.

And the headline had the words “lawsuit” and “snakes” in it.

Arizona Capitol is a 'snake pit,' is it not?

I have lived in our beautiful desert paradise for many years, all the while toiling away in the paragraph factory that is The Arizona Republic.

Over that time phrases like “snake pit” and “snake oil” and “snake in the grass” have become inexorably and irrefutably linked to the goings on at the State Capitol.

So, it was perfectly logical — after seeing that headline in that publication written by that reporter — for me to come to the conclusion that the subject of the article was politics.

But, no.

It turns out that this particular story focused on something much less slithery and venomous — actual snakes.

Lawsuit protects a 'gardener's best friend'

The Center for Biological Diversity (an organization fiercely dedicated to protecting our precious environment) is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for altering rules that, it says, will make it difficult for the narrow-headed garter snake and the Northern Mexico garter snake to survive in Arizona.

Robin Silver, a co-founder of the center, said, “Fish and Wildlife officials are once again choosing to protect interests of ranchers, developers and the Arizona Game and Fish Department at the expense of endangered species.”

Garter snakes are sometimes called the “gardener’s best friend.”

They are said to be shy, mostly, and will not try to bite humans unless provoked. And the bite, while not pleasant, does little actual harm.

Also, they live primarily on a diet of common pests — slugs, grubs, worms and even small rodents.

Maybe we should elect these snakes

Imagine that.

I was confused at first, thinking that a headline with the word “snakes” in it meant that the article it referenced had something to do with politics.

But knowing what I now know about garter snakes, and how they are not belligerent or aggressive, and how they feast on slugs and rats, I believe we should do more than simply protect their environment.

We should elect them.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Garter snake lawsuit says even more about Arizona politics