NationStates Jolt Archive


When a Symbol Becomes a Symbol

Cannot think of a name
23-02-2006, 10:54
It was a passing shot on TV, but I looked it up and, man...
Handouts End for Homer Eagles (http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/wire.ssf?/base/news/114034465094550.xml&coll=2)

Here are some highlights-
The most convenient place in America to take great close-up pictures of bald eagles is finally closing itself down.
The city council of Homer, a tourist and fishing town on Alaska's Kachemak Bay, voted earlier this week to phase out a feeding program that for nearly three decades has drawn hundreds of eagles to feast each winter on handouts of herring, halibut and salmon.
Between free meals in Homer over the years, the national symbol of the United States - which is thriving in Alaska, where there are about 50,000 of them - has become a chronic troublemaker. The big birds of prey, as large as 12 pounds with maximum wingspans of 7 feet, electrocute themselves on power lines, gouge each other's eyes out and make themselves sick by snacking at the town dump. They also eat the occasional cat and small dog.

So many ways to go with this...

For more fodder, you can use the FOX News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,185421,00.html) report, which doesn't include the 'why,' or what the gathering of eagles does to the town, or the ABC Local news (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=nation_world&id=3923911) report that has these gems-
Homer, Alaska, is a place where the majestic symbol of America can be found perched on movie theatres, cars, light posts and dozens at a time on rooftops. They sometimes collide with traffic and are accused of stealing pets out of yards.

"I've interviewed several people that said, 'I've handled my problem after my chicken coop was raided several times by eagles,' " Bailey said. "I said, 'How's that?' [and they said] 'Well, with a twenty-two.' "

and

If you've seen close up photographs of bald eagles with fish in their beaks, odds are they were taken in the Homer area.
(even the symbol favors the staged photo-op)

Now, just to be clear-I'm not really talking about the actual decision or the trials of being in a town overrun by large birds of prey (specially if you're a Hitchcock fan), but rather the unintentional symbolism involved. And, I'm not saying that it really says anything, but that it could. Think of it as a game, how good can you spin?
Straughn
24-02-2006, 10:07
Been there. Graduated from there. It's on the level. The f*ckin' birds just wait for the hanouts. Not very majestic, IMO.
Also, the "eagle lady" gets to keep doing it a while longer.

No spin (i've failed! :eek: ). It's just funny to see us in the news on occasion for something other than "winnebago bashing".
Cannot think of a name
24-02-2006, 10:28
Been there. Graduated from there. It's on the level. The f*ckin' birds just wait for the hanouts. Not very majestic, IMO.
Also, the "eagle lady" gets to keep doing it a while longer.

No spin (i've failed! :eek: ). It's just funny to see us in the news on occasion for something other than "winnebago bashing".
I was wondering why anyone would revive this, since it seemed like a dud (41 looks and not even a comment on how stupid it was...)

I can't imagine the eagles being bigger dicks than the geese and peacocks at my local park growing up. Well, with the talons and tearing beak, probably, but man are peacocks dicks. I mean, it's right there in thier name...someone knew what was up...
Straughn
24-02-2006, 10:42
I was wondering why anyone would revive this, since it seemed like a dud (41 looks and not even a comment on how stupid it was...)
Two reasons ... one, that's my old stompin' grounds. I used to jump Subarus (there's a LOT of them there) about 3/4 of a mile from where those birds hang out.
Two, "dud" and "stupid" haven't ever been particularly effective deterrents from my visiting or commenting on a thread/post. *nods*


I can't imagine the eagles being bigger dicks than the geese and peacocks at my local park growing up. Well, with the talons and tearing beak, probably, but man are peacocks dicks. I mean, it's right there in thier name...someone knew what was up...
Believe it or not, the only creatures in peril are small dogs. The birds don't do all that much belligerant behaviour - just a lot of sitting around looking majestic and waiting for HANDOUTS [not hanouts). Of course, one of the things people don't seem to know about the nature of eagles is that they're basically CARRION eaters and really don't do much work for themself. On occasion, you'll see 'em grab a fish, but given the choice between working for it or just picking it up off the beach, it'll choose the latter almost every time. And it'll hound other birds about food, too.
Kind of like cats.