For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perch’d on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping and Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District.
This isn’t about the man’s moral discernment, it’s about how he unintentionally described the United States while trying to criticize the animal that became the national symbol.
–Ben (the Slaver) Franklin
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This isn’t about the man’s moral discernment, it’s about how he unintentionally described the United States while trying to criticize the animal that became the national symbol.
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I can get behind that, edited my comment
What? I have seen a lot of bald eagles fish, but never seen one take a fish from another bird.
He’s just taking the piss in a letter but it’s funny how apt it ended up being
I think he was a turkey aficionado.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfwVOteWSQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC60cgAKHrI
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