There’s some delicious irony here. When the national bird was being chosen, America’s smartest man Ben Franklin wanted it to be the turkey. He reasoned it was truly an American bird while the bald eagle was not.
More importantly he noted the bald eagle was a bird of bad moral character, stealing , bullying and robbing the nests of other birds. No, I did not make that up.
From history.com: Franklin called the turkey “a much more respectable bird” and “a true original native of America.” While he considered the eagle “a rank coward,” Franklin believed the turkey to be “a bird of courage” that “would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.”
Ironic also that we eat this noble fowl while pretending to celebrate the mass slaughter of the natives we colonized.
I, one of we, didn't colonize anyone. I'm not saying a bunch of British emigrants didn't unjustly slaughter the natives of this land (and who knows who came before them), I turned up here and am not responsible for what occured prior.
Yeah, that is true. But it wasn’t solely the British. The “land grabbing” continued well after the nation had become the thing it is now.
No need to feel responsible for it, but there’s a large need to be aware of it and understand its significance for understanding the true face of what the country is about, despite its lofty claims otherwise. Which it appears you are :)
Yes. I would also differentiate "the country". Who has the true face? The supposed leaders and powers that be of this country, or the actual country where people live and, at least outside of the big cities, mostly want to be left alone to raise families and support their communities. It appears once "they" and the then "we" in complicity, reached the west coast leaving blood and bones in their wake, continued their conquest of the lands, resources and peoples beyond, particularly of the middle east.
Yeah, that’s true too. Ah i’m glad you mentioned the complicity. Being honest, i couldn’t tell you if i had grown up there what i’d be thinking or cheering on now. The propaganda soup is a powerful thing. But even so, there is still complicity there for the modern actions that must be borne by the population too. A bitter pill, but its true for all of us no matter where we live. Under our watch does all this destruction, death and theft happen. We’re the only ones who can stop it and we need to get straight with that. And that last bit isn’t solely for Americans. That last bit is global.
People in the US are addicted, distracted, and propagandized so much they can’t see the forest for the trees. Mental and physical health are abysmal, the government sneaks around like thieves in the night, crafting bills and laws hundreds of pages long to include exceptions for themselves and their cronies, knowing full well no one has time to read them.
There is no public healthcare option unless you are old, in the military or very poor, yet we somehow find billions upon billions to pour into wars.
People are working two and three jobs to survive, yet somehow never get those corporate “benefits” we used to get. When you get old enough for a measly pension, or have enough wisdom and experience to master your position, they find a way to get rid of you for some fresh faced college graduate who will gladly take a third of your worth.
The US is circling the drain. We were distracted just long enough to let these professional clowns steal the show. Voting is redundant. It’s always the lesser of two evils. Both parties are still evil and politicians would sell their mothers’ souls to make a buck and hold onto power.
From personal experience during bald eagle Spring migration?
The bald eagle really likes to feed on domesticated fowls when it has the chance + needs a high caloric intake during migration and the prequel to egg laying.
All that experience + metaphor just meshes the image of bald eagles as an opportunistic predator/ top end scavenger too large for most victims to contest.
Migrating bald eagles, locally nesting red tailed hawks + ospreys and at least half a dozen other diurnal/nocturnal raptor species are prevalent. Great horned owls, barn owls , grey owls, smaller falcons + shrikes, all kinds
I also (try) to keep chickens, ducks, turkeys- And sometimes have kittens & puppies about.
Screw your metaphor. Apex predators are what they are born to be, made no conscious decision, they are ethically clean, their DNA did not leave them a choice.
"Homo sapiens Americensis state departmentius sub rosarius" needs a MUCH tighter grading scale
So does that mean that political/economic Apex predators ~ like the United States ~ are "born to be" because its "DNA" leaves it no "choice"?
Which, of course, raises the very interesting question: So exactly What is a Nation-State's DNA? More specifically: What is the USA's DNA?
It's Constitution?
Or is it its systems of government, governance, and selection of governors in and by which which Special Vested Interests bid for, buy, and sell access to that government's legal power, bureaucratic authority, and particularly, its ability to print and spend money, so as to advance those individual, organizational, and institutional SVI's agendas?
Some of which, it must be noted, is built into that Constitution.
The U$ofA's DNA formation was the start of the aggressive social cancer we are suffering from today. It began with Europe's social outcasts and opportunistic thieves invading 'Turtle Island' followed by the genocide of the natives followed by the sadistic industrial strength energy derived from the wholesale slavery of other peoples. With a pedigree like that it's hardly surprising that today's planetary agony increases exponentially. Since the assh*les who rule the U$ofA need to be urgently dealt with, today's question becomes, "Where would a benign superior being, determined to help us, insert the desperately needed planetary enema?". Washington, DC? The City of London? The Vatican? Or some tiny but hideously painful spot located somewhere we call the Middle East?
"Their DNA did not leave them a choice" lol your capitalist dramatics are a laugh a minute. Actually believing in essentialism in 2023 is a hard cope for something.
The entire concept of the country IS propaganda. “Liberty and freedom”….on the back of genocidal occupation and colonisation of a continent, and trafficking humans kidnapped from Africa into slave labour camps.
It’s just one big lie.
This they mythologised in Hollywood as a genteel culture of stately agricultural “plantations” where everyone has nice manners, and devotes their sundays to worshiping God. But which part was it where jesus said go to Africa kidnap people put them in chains and work them to death. Or did they not understand the story of Moses and Pharaoh in the bible?
The US empire has lorded over the world this long primarily because its citizens have been reduced to silence. You cannot discuss anything substantive without being silenced, by the government and its lackey Media, even by our peers who make sure the thoughts you have are in line with mainstream. The power of Mob-think ensures that the truth will forever be buried in the interests of the oligarchy that runs the nation. Without freedom of discussion the National Security State rules without opposition.
The US lorded it over the world because it was the last man standing after World War 2, and apparently its ruling class felt that (imperialism, Realpolitik) was the way the game had to be played. They could have done worse. The victors of World War 1 set up World War 2.
Your insults of the American people however relevant detract from your objective which I believe is to gain their support in realizing the destructive nature of the elite class in America and it’s hegemonic policies. You often come across as angry which is understandable but anger provokes a defensive response or invokes addition anger. You bring enough excellent points to make insults unnecessary IMHO. But what do I know, I’m just a stupid, loud, ranch dressing eating American visiting a Europe feeling very much just like America.
Well, I am British and am realistic enough about my Brexit voting, refugee hating, drunken, fellow citizens to avoid anyplace they gather when I am overseas. Sometimes you just have to fess up.
"It’s more American than a Bible covered in ranch dressing fingerprints. It’s more American than a Marvel movie about superheroes drinking Mountain Dew in monster trucks. It’s more American than a deep-fried aircraft carrier."
It does seem like the logical consequence of hating the country. That or killing yourself, since as an inhabitant you're implicit in its activities and way of life. And it's unlikely that you will convince many of the citizenry to behave better by condemning them root and branch. Sitting around hating them (and their birds) doesn't seem very rewarding or constructive,
Great line: "It’s a series of high-pitched squeaks that sound kind of like a seagull on helium."
Where I live eagles are common place. Every November, just east of here, they have a convention where hundreds congregate and they squeak fishin' stories to each other.
I have to say, you really understand the United States. The culture and the empire. I smiled reading this. I am familiar with the red tailed hawk, they are year round where I am. Bald eagles are around my area, but obviously much rarer. So I am familiar with the red tailed hawks call, they generally hunt pigeons by my house. I like the bald eagle's musical melody in its call, reminds me of some parakeets.
The fake empire really tries to sell the image of its strength and power. So I can see this happening as described, along with your description of American culture being accurate. So why is the bald eagle important? It is a great looking bird. I mean it is said Benjamin Franklin suggested the wild turkey, and I don't think that would be a bad choice either for a capitalist nation. Though I dare say the California Condor would represent our nation, or a vulture. I picture the American empire eating carrion. The osprey would have been another good choice, only seen it once in person, and didn't get to hear its call.
The idea that the US empire is merely deceit and ideology rather than truth and virtue is self evident if we understand that we are only taught what the government wants us to know. Public schools are government entities, sure they would tell you the truth. ;) News outlets don't oppose the US empire in any meaningful way. When is the last time anyone heard of the US opposing any active war? Lastly, the point of all this propaganda is to create loyalty to the empire. The bald eagle is a great inspirational symbol for that.
There’s some delicious irony here. When the national bird was being chosen, America’s smartest man Ben Franklin wanted it to be the turkey. He reasoned it was truly an American bird while the bald eagle was not.
More importantly he noted the bald eagle was a bird of bad moral character, stealing , bullying and robbing the nests of other birds. No, I did not make that up.
From history.com: Franklin called the turkey “a much more respectable bird” and “a true original native of America.” While he considered the eagle “a rank coward,” Franklin believed the turkey to be “a bird of courage” that “would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his farm yard with a red coat on.”
Ironic also that we eat this noble fowl while pretending to celebrate the mass slaughter of the natives we colonized.
I, one of we, didn't colonize anyone. I'm not saying a bunch of British emigrants didn't unjustly slaughter the natives of this land (and who knows who came before them), I turned up here and am not responsible for what occured prior.
...and the American Indian is still being persecuted in both the US and Canada.
Yeah, that is true. But it wasn’t solely the British. The “land grabbing” continued well after the nation had become the thing it is now.
No need to feel responsible for it, but there’s a large need to be aware of it and understand its significance for understanding the true face of what the country is about, despite its lofty claims otherwise. Which it appears you are :)
Yes. I would also differentiate "the country". Who has the true face? The supposed leaders and powers that be of this country, or the actual country where people live and, at least outside of the big cities, mostly want to be left alone to raise families and support their communities. It appears once "they" and the then "we" in complicity, reached the west coast leaving blood and bones in their wake, continued their conquest of the lands, resources and peoples beyond, particularly of the middle east.
Yeah, that’s true too. Ah i’m glad you mentioned the complicity. Being honest, i couldn’t tell you if i had grown up there what i’d be thinking or cheering on now. The propaganda soup is a powerful thing. But even so, there is still complicity there for the modern actions that must be borne by the population too. A bitter pill, but its true for all of us no matter where we live. Under our watch does all this destruction, death and theft happen. We’re the only ones who can stop it and we need to get straight with that. And that last bit isn’t solely for Americans. That last bit is global.
People in the US are addicted, distracted, and propagandized so much they can’t see the forest for the trees. Mental and physical health are abysmal, the government sneaks around like thieves in the night, crafting bills and laws hundreds of pages long to include exceptions for themselves and their cronies, knowing full well no one has time to read them.
There is no public healthcare option unless you are old, in the military or very poor, yet we somehow find billions upon billions to pour into wars.
People are working two and three jobs to survive, yet somehow never get those corporate “benefits” we used to get. When you get old enough for a measly pension, or have enough wisdom and experience to master your position, they find a way to get rid of you for some fresh faced college graduate who will gladly take a third of your worth.
The US is circling the drain. We were distracted just long enough to let these professional clowns steal the show. Voting is redundant. It’s always the lesser of two evils. Both parties are still evil and politicians would sell their mothers’ souls to make a buck and hold onto power.
The we in us
Proceeds of crime, comes to mind.
You stole my comment!
“deep fried aircraft carrier” ... OMG 😂😂😂great post!
Yeah...that line will be with me forever.
As Mark Twain said, the US would do well to keep its talons out of other countries.
He personifies in so many ways what America should be . He was one of the founders of the Anti-Imperialist League.
They would do well to keep their talons out of their own citizens.
Actually they are IN someone else’s country in the first place. After invading and occupying it. The country of the native Americans.
No wonder they are happy to support the Israeli project of doing exactly the same thing.
Instead of the bald eagle, our national bird should be the bald-faced liar bird.
From personal experience during bald eagle Spring migration?
The bald eagle really likes to feed on domesticated fowls when it has the chance + needs a high caloric intake during migration and the prequel to egg laying.
All that experience + metaphor just meshes the image of bald eagles as an opportunistic predator/ top end scavenger too large for most victims to contest.
An ironically fitting analogy for The USA's imperialistic behavior.
See above
I live in the sticks of upper Midwest USA.
Migrating bald eagles, locally nesting red tailed hawks + ospreys and at least half a dozen other diurnal/nocturnal raptor species are prevalent. Great horned owls, barn owls , grey owls, smaller falcons + shrikes, all kinds
I also (try) to keep chickens, ducks, turkeys- And sometimes have kittens & puppies about.
Screw your metaphor. Apex predators are what they are born to be, made no conscious decision, they are ethically clean, their DNA did not leave them a choice.
"Homo sapiens Americensis state departmentius sub rosarius" needs a MUCH tighter grading scale
Well said.
So does that mean that political/economic Apex predators ~ like the United States ~ are "born to be" because its "DNA" leaves it no "choice"?
Which, of course, raises the very interesting question: So exactly What is a Nation-State's DNA? More specifically: What is the USA's DNA?
It's Constitution?
Or is it its systems of government, governance, and selection of governors in and by which which Special Vested Interests bid for, buy, and sell access to that government's legal power, bureaucratic authority, and particularly, its ability to print and spend money, so as to advance those individual, organizational, and institutional SVI's agendas?
Some of which, it must be noted, is built into that Constitution.
The U$ofA's DNA formation was the start of the aggressive social cancer we are suffering from today. It began with Europe's social outcasts and opportunistic thieves invading 'Turtle Island' followed by the genocide of the natives followed by the sadistic industrial strength energy derived from the wholesale slavery of other peoples. With a pedigree like that it's hardly surprising that today's planetary agony increases exponentially. Since the assh*les who rule the U$ofA need to be urgently dealt with, today's question becomes, "Where would a benign superior being, determined to help us, insert the desperately needed planetary enema?". Washington, DC? The City of London? The Vatican? Or some tiny but hideously painful spot located somewhere we call the Middle East?
"Their DNA did not leave them a choice" lol your capitalist dramatics are a laugh a minute. Actually believing in essentialism in 2023 is a hard cope for something.
This is a joke, right? RIGHT?
The entire concept of the country IS propaganda. “Liberty and freedom”….on the back of genocidal occupation and colonisation of a continent, and trafficking humans kidnapped from Africa into slave labour camps.
It’s just one big lie.
This they mythologised in Hollywood as a genteel culture of stately agricultural “plantations” where everyone has nice manners, and devotes their sundays to worshiping God. But which part was it where jesus said go to Africa kidnap people put them in chains and work them to death. Or did they not understand the story of Moses and Pharaoh in the bible?
A beautiful bird dishonoured by a terrible country in every way possible
The US empire has lorded over the world this long primarily because its citizens have been reduced to silence. You cannot discuss anything substantive without being silenced, by the government and its lackey Media, even by our peers who make sure the thoughts you have are in line with mainstream. The power of Mob-think ensures that the truth will forever be buried in the interests of the oligarchy that runs the nation. Without freedom of discussion the National Security State rules without opposition.
The US lorded it over the world because it was the last man standing after World War 2, and apparently its ruling class felt that (imperialism, Realpolitik) was the way the game had to be played. They could have done worse. The victors of World War 1 set up World War 2.
Maybe it's just me, but I'm getting the impression that Caitlin might have some kind of a beef with the United States (Empire).
She's not on her own!!
Your insults of the American people however relevant detract from your objective which I believe is to gain their support in realizing the destructive nature of the elite class in America and it’s hegemonic policies. You often come across as angry which is understandable but anger provokes a defensive response or invokes addition anger. You bring enough excellent points to make insults unnecessary IMHO. But what do I know, I’m just a stupid, loud, ranch dressing eating American visiting a Europe feeling very much just like America.
Well, I am British and am realistic enough about my Brexit voting, refugee hating, drunken, fellow citizens to avoid anyplace they gather when I am overseas. Sometimes you just have to fess up.
American democracy is real. It's a real as the Hollywood depiction of it . That is screen thin and nothing there when you peer behind the screen.
"It’s more American than a Bible covered in ranch dressing fingerprints. It’s more American than a Marvel movie about superheroes drinking Mountain Dew in monster trucks. It’s more American than a deep-fried aircraft carrier."
Nailed some of exactly why I hate being here.
Then leave
"Love it or leave it" is such a wanker move.
It does seem like the logical consequence of hating the country. That or killing yourself, since as an inhabitant you're implicit in its activities and way of life. And it's unlikely that you will convince many of the citizenry to behave better by condemning them root and branch. Sitting around hating them (and their birds) doesn't seem very rewarding or constructive,
Thanks for the insights, Buddha!
And you're the wanker. I don't pander to negative Nellies.
What you are saying is that if you want freedom then go somewhere else because we like groveling before authority.
I do, as often as possible, to get distant from the trash.
If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem.
"You're either with us or against us."
Three trillion $ later...
You aren't entitled to respect, much less piety. The little nervous farts in your head that constitute meaning bind nobody to anything.
What's the solution? You have one?
Great line: "It’s a series of high-pitched squeaks that sound kind of like a seagull on helium."
Where I live eagles are common place. Every November, just east of here, they have a convention where hundreds congregate and they squeak fishin' stories to each other.
Ouch.
hopefully so!
How you gonna get your dinner, when you are yelling the equivalency of "run"
I have to say, you really understand the United States. The culture and the empire. I smiled reading this. I am familiar with the red tailed hawk, they are year round where I am. Bald eagles are around my area, but obviously much rarer. So I am familiar with the red tailed hawks call, they generally hunt pigeons by my house. I like the bald eagle's musical melody in its call, reminds me of some parakeets.
The fake empire really tries to sell the image of its strength and power. So I can see this happening as described, along with your description of American culture being accurate. So why is the bald eagle important? It is a great looking bird. I mean it is said Benjamin Franklin suggested the wild turkey, and I don't think that would be a bad choice either for a capitalist nation. Though I dare say the California Condor would represent our nation, or a vulture. I picture the American empire eating carrion. The osprey would have been another good choice, only seen it once in person, and didn't get to hear its call.
The idea that the US empire is merely deceit and ideology rather than truth and virtue is self evident if we understand that we are only taught what the government wants us to know. Public schools are government entities, sure they would tell you the truth. ;) News outlets don't oppose the US empire in any meaningful way. When is the last time anyone heard of the US opposing any active war? Lastly, the point of all this propaganda is to create loyalty to the empire. The bald eagle is a great inspirational symbol for that.