This is cool.

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Sun May 23, 2004 4:49 pm

At one point in my education I remember it being mentioned that BF himself once suggested that the turkey be our national symbol.

Now THAT leaves a great impression on my modern mind!!

Zubivka · Post by **Zubivka** » Sun May 23, 2004 4:52 pm

Nice quote, Walden. Thanks for sharing.
Unfortunately, the Roman myth probably combined with the Genesis hangups against the reptile.

The Mexican flag now tells the full story...

DCrom · Post by **DCrom** » Sun May 23, 2004 5:09 pm

NorCal, Franklin wanted the *Wild* Turkey - makes a big difference.

Don't know if they're intellegent, exactly - but they are pretty wary birds, and good at survival. There are a couple of flocks of wild turkeys in the park we usually hike (Almaden Quicksilver, for the Silicon Valley locals). Impressive! Especially when they take to the air for a bit - doesn't seem possible for something *that* big to be flying. They aren't as big as the bred-for-size-but-no-brains domestic variety, but they are still a Seriously Big Bird.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Sun May 23, 2004 5:30 pm

DCrom wrote:NorCal, Franklin wanted the *Wild* Turkey - makes a big difference.

Don't know if they're intellegent, exactly - but they are pretty wary birds, and good at survival. There are a couple of flocks of wild turkeys in the park we usually hike (Almaden Quicksilver, for the Silicon Valley locals). Impressive! Especially when they take to the air for a bit - doesn't seem possible for something *that* big to be flying. They aren't as big as the bred-for-size-but-no-brains domestic variety, but they are still a Seriously Big Bird.

There's a flock that wanders through the grounds of my water treatment plant on a regular basis when we're not under construction. I've counted 30 at a time right here on the lawn. And then there are the turkeys that wander these halls...no wait, that's management.

Blackbeer · Post by **Blackbeer** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:00 pm

Good to see all is well here

Greetings from Ketchikan Alaska!!!!

Tom

IDAwHOa · Post by **IDAwHOa** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:27 pm

blackhawk wrote:
DCrom wrote:NorCal, Franklin wanted the *Wild* Turkey - makes a big difference.
And then there are the turkeys that wander these halls...no wait, that's management.

That is the reference I was alluding to. I don't have a problem with the bird itself, but the negative conotations of the word "turkey" that have crept in over time (and maybe existed before??) would put a serious burden on that symbol of sovereignity! :roll:

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:53 pm

NorCalMusician wrote:At one point in my education I remember it being mentioned that BF himself once suggested that the turkey be our national symbol.

Now THAT leaves a great impression on my modern mind!!

Actually, the Cincinnati Society, had on their emblem a patriotic depiction of an eagle, and some were complaining that it looked more like a turkey than an eagle, and Franklin suggested that, in his estimation, the turkey was actually a better emblem than the bald eagle. Even in that day, the turkey had something of the same connotation it now has, but Franklin, I think, was making his point through tongue-in-cheek analogy. Here is more from the same document I quoted earlier, re the eagle, commencing where I left off.

"He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country....

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

--Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to his daughter

P.S. I think from the context of the farmyard reference, it was not specifically referring to a wild turkey.

Denny · Post by **Denny** » Sun May 23, 2004 9:12 pm

I don't think that the colonists had time to breed a fully domesticated turkey. They probably started by live capture and wing clipping...

Our forefathers certainly had great foresight in picking the majestic, carrion eating thief, bald eagle!

Denny

CHIFF FIPPLE · Post by **CHIFF FIPPLE** » Mon May 24, 2004 2:25 am

Denny wrote: Our forefathers certainly had great foresight in picking the majestic, carrion eating thief, bald eagle!

Denny

Aye yer can say that again

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Mon May 24, 2004 6:53 am

vomitbunny wrote:If I could have found a dancing fish thingie that morphed into a picture of my butt, I would have posted it, but I couldn't. Anyway. Memorial day. Remember, most of the rest of the world doesn't hate the USA, just Bush. For that matter, more of the world doesn't actually hate him as much as they are afraid he'll mispronouce and word and accidentally start world war three.

For a little bit of perspective, imagine how ridiculous it would be to say "For that matter, most of the world doesn't actually hate Luxembourg."

"Most of the world" is just trying to make enough money to pay rent and food and couldn't care less about the moral angst of the inhabitants of the lands located between Canada and Mexico.

claudine · Post by **claudine** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:24 am

glauber wrote:[quote
For a little bit of perspective, imagine how ridiculous it would be to say "For that matter, most of the world doesn't actually hate Luxembourg."

Glauber, that is not ridiculous at all, it's just the plain truth. Everybody loves us because we are nice, peaceful and tolerant people. Besides, our country has never started a war nor did we have any colonies (guess why).

glauber · Post by **glauber** » Mon May 24, 2004 8:29 am

claudine wrote:
glauber wrote:[quote
For a little bit of perspective, imagine how ridiculous it would be to say "For that matter, most of the world doesn't actually hate Luxembourg."
Glauber, that is not ridiculous at all, it's just the plain truth. Everybody loves us because we are nice, peaceful and tolerant people. Besides, our country has never started a war nor did we have any colonies (guess why).

Doh! I picked Luxembourg because i couldn't think of anybody here that's from there. Then i saw your name in the thread and i remembered...