NationStates Jolt Archive

THIS has been making headlines over here, and it was also on CNN.

Death threat for killer of Domino-toppling sparrow
(15 November 2005)

AMSTERDAM — At least seven organisations have become involved in the saga surrounding the sparrow shot dead on Monday. The little bird's crime was to knock over 23,000 of the 4.3 dominoes laid out for an attempt to break the domino toppling record in the Dutch province of Friesland on Friday. The decision was taken to shoot the bird after attempts to capture it alive were unsuccessful.

Animal rights group Dierenbescherming and the provincial authority have both appointed officials to investigate the shooting dead of the bird with an air gun. Dierenbescherming said sparrows are a protected species and a licence is required before killing one.

Meanwhile, the man who fired the fatal shot has been threatened with death. Animal management company Duke Fauna Beheer which employs the man has gone to the police. "We have not made an official complaint as that would be no use. But if an idiot comes around here, we want a direct line to the police so they can come quickly to help us," the company said.

The bird flew into the FEC exhibition centre in Leeuwarden in the north of the Netherlands on Monday where 4,321,000 domino bricks have been arranged for Domino Day.

Singer Anastacia is to knock over the first brick of the bid on the world record on Sunday in a show televised live on Dutch television channel SBS 6. The bird couldn't wait.

"The sparrow knocked over 23,000 bricks. Luckily, we have 750 safeguards built in. Otherwise we could forget about the world record," said Robin Paul Weijers, the organisers of Domino Day 2005.

The investigators appointed by the animal rights group and the provincial government have the power to issue a warning, or lodge a complaint with the public prosecutor's office. The German animal protection group has also complained to broadcaster RTL about the killing of the sparrow. RTL will broadcast the Domino Day event in Germany. Endemol, the broadcasting company producing Domino Day for Dutch channel SBS 6, has hired extra security for the FEC centre. It did this partly because Dutch Radio DJ Ruud de Wild has offered a reward of EUR 3,000 to anyone who topples the dominoes prior to the start of the event.

But noooooooooooo, it had to get WORSE.

'Domino sparrow' becomes a porn star
(17 november)

AMSTERDAM — Hackers placed very explicit porn on a Dutch website created to commemorate the "Domino D-Day sparrow", it was reported on Thursday. The Dutch-language site (www.dodemus.nl) had recorded 53,982 hits by noon on Thursday. The porn was removed some time earlier. The site was set up earlier this week following the news that a common sparrow — a protected species in the Netherlands — was shot dead with an air gun on Monday.

Its crime was to knock over 23,000 of the 4.3 million dominoes laid out in the FEC events hall in Leeuwarden prior to the attempt on Friday to break the domino-toppling world record.

The website features a condolence register. Readers can also post messages and discuss articles about the sparrow, whose plight has made international headlines.

One contributor 'hoogeland' simply wrote: "RIP ik denk aan je (I am thinking of you). 'Conny Mus' was remaining optimistic in the face of the tragedy: "Vanmorgen vloog ie nog (This morning, he flew again).

'Alex' was not impressed by the outcry: "It was only a sparrow". And 'M.U.S. Doder' (sparrow killer) was very upset: "What a bunch of poofters you all are. It was only a stupid bird. Go and do something useful with your lives instead of mourning for this bird... Get a life... God damn it".

Some contributors showed great empathy for the bird and even wished its 'relatives' the courage to get on with their lives. Others took the time to compose poems in memory of the fallen sparrow.

There are also many posts on the site criticising the fuss about the killing of the little bird.

Animal rights group Dierenbescherming is taking the issue very seriously. It launched an investigation into the legality of the shooting and it compelled the provincial government to do the same. The man who fired the shot has received death threats.

Endemol, the broadcasting company producing Domino Day for Dutch channel SBS 6, hired extra security for the FEC centre. It did this partly because Dutch Radio DJ Ruud de Wild offered a reward of EUR 3,000 to anyone who toppled the dominoes prior to the start of the event.

SBS 6 said it would begin its coverage on Friday with a tribute to the dead bird. "We will stand still for a momment in light of the events of the last week," a spokesperson said. "There was no other option than to eliminate the sparrow".

What. The. Fuck.

Yes indeed. I have tried to give meaning to this, ah, "news" as well. But CNN thinks it newsworthy, as do political parties and stuff. Poor sparrow.

I want my minute back.

Why are common sparrows a protected species? Are they running out? Do they need the US to ship them a few hundred?

I would've killed that fucking bird too...

The CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/16/sparrow.domino.ap/)

The question has been asked here in the media to the insensitive ones: if it had been a human who knocked over those stones, would you have shot it as well? Would you? :(

/weirded out

However, SHOOTING the thing might have been inappropriate.

Why are common sparrows a protected species? Are they running out? Do they need the US to ship them a few hundred?

Yes, they are due to urbanisation. They used to be a very common species but the changing environment means that they are becoming rare in the Netherlands.

I know this because the organisations that are charging Domino D-day are starting an awareness campaign about the common sparrow!

The CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/16/sparrow.domino.ap/)

The question has been asked here in the media to the insensitive ones: if it had been a human who knocked over those stones, would you have shot it as well? Would you? :(

Yeah...in the groin...

/weirded out

However, SHOOTING the thing might have been inappropriate.

Not just inappropriate. Illegal too! ;)

The CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/16/sparrow.domino.ap/)

The question has been asked here in the media to the insensitive ones: if it had been a human who knocked over those stones, would you have shot it as well? Would you? :(

...of course! I wouldn't want to be discriminatory against sparrows!

But wait... isn't it just ONE sparrow? Is death so uncommon there that the killing of a single sparrow makes the headlines?

The CNN report (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/11/16/sparrow.domino.ap/)

The question has been asked here in the media to the insensitive ones: if it had been a human who knocked over those stones, would you have shot it as well? Would you? :(
Have you ever set up dominoes? I rest my case.

Yes, they are due to urbanisation. They used to be a very common species but the changing environment means that they are becoming rare in the Netherlands.

I know this because the organisations that are charging Domino D-day are starting an awareness campaign about the common sparrow!

If I could catch them, I'd gladly ship all of the sparrows living in my barn to you! They are common as dirt around here. Not sure exactly which species they are, though.

So it´s morally wrong to shoot a sparrow, and righteous retribution to kill the human who did it? Weird, at the least. :confused:

...of course! I wouldn't want to be discriminatory against sparrows!

But wait... isn't it just ONE sparrow? Is death so uncommon there that the killing of a single sparrow makes the headlines?
Yes, it is one sparrow. But it was a very brutal killing.

Have you ever set up dominoes? I rest my case.
I have not. And are dominoes really worth taking a life? ;)

If I could catch them, I'd gladly ship all of the sparrows living in my barn to you! They are common as dirt around here. Not sure exactly which species they are, though.

Hmmm.... must watch more awareness campaign advertisements. Will look into that. The big problem seems to be the environment here tho.

So it´s morally wrong to shoot a sparrow, and righteous retribution to kill the human who did it? Weird, at the least. :confused:

The man is a murderer. ;)

The man is a murderer. ;)

You guys really must be fond of domino effects. :D

Yes, yes, we are apparently. But fond of sparrows, too.

You wasted 5 minutes of my life and I want them back.

You wasted 5 minutes of my life and I want them back.

Ah... but you'd waste them anyway, wouldn't you? ;)

Actually, I applaud the efforts of humainly killing the sparrows, because if they hadn't of shot the bird, it just would have left a rather large smear mark all over someone's office window or hotel room. Also, the birds are going to die out the urban areas sooner or later, unless urbanization stops, which it isn't, and blah blah blah.

That article is messed up, but I really don't care. I had a few minutes to waste anyhow, might as well waste here rather than argue with a creationist or something.

Perhaps we must tackle this problem at the root and de-urbanise.

Perhaps we must tackle this problem at the root and de-urbanise.

Oh yeah. A fine suggestion. But then you would run into the problem of the species who have succesfully integrated into the city. Have you thought about them, you insensitive swine? :rolleyes:

Like what? Humans?

We'll see about that when we get there. Save the Sparrow.

So it´s morally wrong to shoot a sparrow, and righteous retribution to kill the human who did it? Weird, at the least. :confused:
Well, you always get some crazy person who will threaten someone with death if they did even the slightest thing wrong.

I live in England recently we banned fox hunting (For those who dont know what this sport is, it is when you hunt foxes).

NOw i gotta share my bus to work with a fox, my ex-girlfriend left me for a fox, and i got 6 months to live because i contracted a disease called foxalitas which is an STD i got from a fox

My point is the minute we start giving animals "the right to life" we give up ours. The sparrow needed to go to keep them in its place, Dammit, you should of shot its family too

I live in England recently we banned fox hunting (For those who dont know what this sport is, it is when you hunt foxes).

NOw i gotta share my bus to work with a fox, my ex-girlfriend left me for a fox, and i got 6 months to live because i contracted a disease called foxalitas which is an STD i got from a fox

My point is the minute we start giving animals "the right to life" we give up ours. The sparrow needed to go to keep them in its place, Dammit, you should of shot its family too

For fox sake!

Yes, yes, we are apparently. But fond of sparrows, too.
There are literally thousands of sparrows near my house of different varieties. How many do you need?

The reason it the story plays so well here is that we in the US see the sparrow as an extremely common bird. We also are used to Europeans castigating us for hunting (we don't hunt sparrows - that's why there are so many), or for gun ownership, and here is a story of someone shooting a little tiny bird. It's a hilarious mental picture.

Personally, I've only shot people who are shooting at me, or shot animals I intended to eat. I haven't eaten sparrow, and don't intend to start.

I agree with the person who said they were 'weirded out'... That is wiggity wack, not just regular type.

What I want to know is, did the bird keep attacking the dominoes? Or did he swoop down and snag one, causing a kerfuffle of sorts? Surely if he didn't see the dominoes and accidentally tipped a 'small few' over, they could have taken more care in catching the bird. Perhaps they could have caught him/her and held them until after the Domino Day. *shrugs*
Looks like some people didn't do their job and didn't use any sense. But, if it's just one sparrow croaking, I'm not going to write a diatribe.

I agree with the person who said they were 'weirded out'... That is wiggity wack, not just regular type.

What I want to know is, did the bird keep attacking the dominoes? Or did he swoop down and snag one, causing a kerfuffle of sorts? Surely if he didn't see the dominoes and accidentally tipped a 'small few' over, they could have taken more care in catching the bird. Perhaps they could have caught him/her and held them until after the Domino Day. *shrugs*
Looks like some people didn't do their job and didn't use any sense. But, if it's just one sparrow croaking, I'm not going to write a diatribe.

Birds do not "attack" dominoes.

Beind a bird lover myself, I'm rather happy about the backlash. It just proves a welcome change from the "It's just a stupid animal, who cares?" bullshit I'm faced with so often on my continent.

I like animals better than humans any day. Ive never had a bird break into my car and steal my radio. Fuck them domino layin assholes. I hope they all fall over.

Americans may be arrogant asses, but at least we still have a decent grip on reality. People posting condolences to the sparrow's 'family'? The "bird killer" was given death threats?

If the civilized world one day spirals into the abyss of madness, I got $100 on it starting in Europe.

I think as long as this doesn't turn into an extermination drive it should be fine. (Though I admit it would have been interesting to find out what they would have done to the bird if they didn't have any safeguards...:D)

Americans may be arrogant asses, but at least we still have a decent grip on reality. People posting condolences to the sparrow's 'family'? The "bird killer" was given death threats?

If the civilized world one day spirals into the abyss of madness, I got $100 on it starting in Europe.

Well, if the sparrow did have chicks in the nest, it's possible they'd starve to death.

As for the death threats.. Heh. I'm not complaining.

The little bird's crime was to knock over 23,000 of the 4.3 dominoes laid out...

They must be so bored that the printed this. So bored they forgot words.

Fuck Domino Day! I hate that stupid crap.

The guy who shot the bird should get a job like Sisyphus - e.g. setting up dominos for the rest of his life in a birdhouse!

Americans may be arrogant asses, but at least we still have a decent grip on reality. People posting condolences to the sparrow's 'family'? The "bird killer" was given death threats?

If the civilized world one day spirals into the abyss of madness, I got $100 on it starting in Europe.

As opposed to nipplegate. ;)

As opposed to nipplegate. ;)

Mmmmmm...nipplegate...mmmmmm

Yay follow ups! (Not a bump, just letting you all know how it ended. :P)

Beeb article. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4519446.stm)

Killed sparrow to go on display
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41110000/jpg/_41110956_sparrowapbody203.jpg
By Geraldine Coughlan
BBC News, The Hague

Kees Moeliker, curator of the Rotterdam Natural History Museum, poses with a stuffed house sparrow
The museum is planning an exhibition on sparrows
A sparrow which was shot dead for knocking over 23,000 dominoes in the Netherlands is to go on display at Rotterdam's Natural History Museum.

The bird almost spoiled a televised world record attempt before it was killed with an air rifle.

The shooting caused a public outcry. Animal rights groups condemned the bird's killing last month and a website was erected in its honour.

On Friday, the bird's killer was fined for shooting a protected species.

Prosecutors said the exterminator who killed it should have known better and fined him 170 euros (£114; $200).

Freezer

The organisers argued the killing was justified, as more than 100 people had worked for a month setting up the dominoes, but they held a TV memorial for the bird.

They went on to topple about four million dominoes, claiming a new record - which still has to be verified by Guinness World Records.

The bird was kept in a government freezer after its killing became a criminal matter.

It will be placed on top of a box of dominoes in an exhibition on sparrows next year.

There. The dumb bird got stuffed and is being used in a museum exhibit. Ii it was shot for being a pest, not unlike the crows, rabbits, raccoons, groundhogs, and other pesky little critters that I've been shooting in my family's garden since I was five (yes, I was taught to competently handle a real gun -I didn't even get an airgun until several years later, and I shot plenty of sparrows with that- when I was 5 years old and I've yet to go on a shooting spree, hold up a convenience store, etc because I was taught something called "responsibility" by my parents as well, but I digress).

Nobody was fined for killing a sparrow, but rather killing a sparrow without a license. If the organizers were more patient, they'd have probably found somebody who could legally shoot the pesky little bastard. The article says that you can't kill sparrows there without a license, which means that somebody has a license to kill sparrows and with a little time and effort I'm sure they could have found such a somebody. They were not willing to take the time and effort, did things the quick way, and got a fine for it.


As to the people making death threats against the person that shot the sparrow, people like them are the reason I plan to acquire (and make use of) a permit to carry a concealed handgun as soon as I can afford the certification course, license, and (of course) a decent handgun. And plenty of ammo for the range; I'm a great shot with a rifle and decent with a shotgun, but don't have much experience with handguns yet. The gun nuts aren't the ones that go on shooting sprees; if they did then I assure you that the body counts at such tragic events would be much higher. The only "gun toting maniacs" that scare me are people who get themselves whipped up into irrational frenzies over stupid "causes" like this dumb bird (I think because they're either afraid to take up a worthwile cause, just plain stupid, or quite possibly both).

Why don't worthwile causes get publicity? Like the incredible struggle against stupid people?

Nonononononono, It's a crazy ****ed up WORLD!

a website was erected in its honour (http://www.dodemus.nl/index.php?page=2)

Dat was mijn allerbeste vriendje :'(

:)

a website was erected in its honour (http://www.dodemus.nl/index.php?page=2)

:)

Oh, for fuck's sake, people! :rolleyes:

This story is hilarious! Thanks for posting it.

Oh, for fuck's sake, people! :rolleyes:

at least we still have a heart to feel compassion! you may have been blinded by the foul ways of mankind and accepted daily bombings as normal, but we still see the tragedy in the loss of every one of mother nature's creatures! *sobs*

[Wat een onzin]

(hey, at leats this site is teaching me some dutch the fun way. don't you dare go against education, now ;) )

Yeah. This is educational or something. How are you learning Dutch this way anyway SoWiBi? 0_o

The Public Prosecutor has officially transferred the sparrow to the museum, by the way.

THIS has been making headlines over here, and it was also on CNN.

But noooooooooooo, it had to get WORSE.
ROFLMAO! It's nice to learn that stupidity knows no borders! :D

Dominoes are a very serious business.

The person who has the honor of toppling over the first one-at the approved time- should wear some sort of a bird costume.

I'm sure the whole world will be watching.

Americans may be arrogant asses, but at least we still have a decent grip on reality. People posting condolences to the sparrow's 'family'? The "bird killer" was given death threats?


Hey, you've got PETA and ALF don't you?

Nobody was fined for killing a sparrow, but rather killing a sparrow without a license. If the organizers were more patient, they'd have probably found somebody who could legally shoot the pesky little bastard.



Yeah, but imagine the carnage that bird could have inflicted on the innocent in the mean time? I'm glad there was a man there that could put and end to the wanton destruction.

Somewhere, an asshole has spent the last ten years carving the New Testament on a grain of rice. This bird could have shit on him and ruined his work.