Pale Male May Go Back to 927 Fifth

jo miller, the concept of people fighting for real issues based on their desire to protect cute/fuzzy animals is ludicrise.

I know lots of people who are animal people. People who put animals on a higher level than humans, and without an exception they are compassionate, loving and all somewhat socially retarded.

Whether it was in High School or private life, every time I met these people they seemed to never understand the most basic social behvior among humans, but would die for an animal.

I guess I can see the compasion in that on one hand. But my heart cannot swallow that. People go out to fight for animals because they are cute and non-threatening. Enaging real people and real issues scares many people.

I man, homeless people are filthy and disgusting right? And even here on Gothamist when people were encouraged to list irritating things about the NYC Subway (like putting feet up on seats), many people complained about the homeless and busking singers/musicians/artsist.

I really could not give a rats ass about a bird that can fend for itself when real people with real lives are hurt and dying in this city. I'd love to see a bunch of people dance around and protest when a single mother gets evicted.

C.O., the hawks have been trying to rebuild on their original site. This was confirmed yesterday when representatives of Audubon, the coop board, and the city went onto the roof and looked down onto the ledge.

The last time the nest was destroyed there were no chicks for two years. This is the urgency about replacing the spikes so that the nest can be rebuilt quickly. If they do find another suitable site and manage to build a secure nest there, hawk-watchers will be thrilled. But hawks are territorial, which is why they have continued to try to build at 927.

I hope people who took part in the protests, in person or in spirit, will take away the lesson that small, local action can make a difference, and will begin to take an interest in active political involvement at the local and state level. Then again, I've hoped that before.

max, you've made my day.

Like a hawk

Right

Over your head

Hijiki, that said, why should two sentient hawks who are capable of having their own lives be forced to reside where a bunch of bird watchers feel is convenient? These are not domesticated beasts. They are wild and FREE.

It seems quite selfish on the one hand for the nest to have been removed, but it's even more selfish for anyone to demand these wild birds live where some people with binoculars think it's best.

I really hope they move the nest and Pale Male rejects it and moves elsewhere.

True birdwatchers go to where the animals are and do not force the animals into lives that are convenient towards humans. Is it so hard for these bird nerds to walk over to the Carlisle Hotel--where Pale Male is building a new nest--and look up there?

Humans are really quite selfish. Even animal "lovers".

hey captain, i think you're starting to catch on to what people have been saying here this past week or so. yes, it's the people who are upset. it's been said over and over, this has nothing to do with animal rights. the protesters aren't animal rights activists. birdwatchers aren't animal rights activists. they are protesting the decision of the co-op to remove a nest that has drawn thousands of people to ny over the past decade. they don't like losing a nationally recognized symbol of modern urban coexistence over a few people's selfishness.

It's not so much an issue of there always being other issues, but good lord. Pale Male and his "gal pal", managed to find a new place to live and build a new nest.

Just get something straight. The birds are not upset about this. But people are. And when push comes to shove, the birds will live and thrive. But the fragile egos of animal rights activists will never be thickened.

And what's going to happen now? Pale Male is building a new nest? Will these animal rights people tear down that nest and force them to build a new nest where the animal rights activists think it's right.

I think when all is said and done Pale Male will throw up his wings and say "Screw it, I'm moving to Jersey!"

As much as I've been into this saga (just ask Nola!), I thought Clyde had a point, if a snippy one. Something good was accomplished here... there was outrage, people took to the streets, got attention, and affected (hopefully) some change. And no windows were broken and no one got hurt. So much for the theory that a few really pissed off people can't make much of a difference.

Now imagine if people took to the streets and wouldn't let go like this after Florida 2000... makes you wonder, huh?

In 1998 a friend asked me what was the worst part of watching the impeachment of Clinton and I said the worst part about it was that you can get 50,000 dingalings to stand in front of the Today show window and hold up a sign that says "I'm from Paducah" but you can't get 500 people into the streets to prevent to overthrowning of a president.

This is not meant to be a scold, just a thought. Pale Male and his friends are good examples of what can be done when your sense of powerlessness is overtaken by collective outrage. Maybe there is hope.

Max,

Maybe the fight against ugly ponchos? Actually, the erosion of civil rights should go on the poll. Between hysteria over homeland security and the war on some drugs, things have gotten way out of hand. But honestly, the holy war of the saved against the scientists and sinners is pretty near the top of my list.

very, very tired,

jo

ps.- 55, MTM's face is the story over on Gawker. She actually looks much better in person than in photos, though, and is a lovely person.

my thoughts exactly, max. no matter what the cause, you can almost always find a problem with heavier consequences. that doesn't make a cause any less important. if we only focused our efforts on the people at the bottom, then we would make no other progress. why should we rebuild ground zero or fund the arts or after school programs if there's still a homeless guy across the street?

What the f()ck did Mary Tyler Moore do to herself? She butchered her face and looks like a freak. THAT should be the story.

I see no problem with folks who fight for hawks and don't fight for the homeless. People pick their battles for a variety of reasons (ability to make an impact, personal relationships to cause, etc)and to attack people for not picking what you deem most important is just silly and small minded. Although I am curious what one issue would be at the forefront of the Gothamist family's mind, homelessness, environment, good eats? Seeing as it is December- we should have a poll.

I will say this: now that negotiations have started, we need to keep our vigils more quiet and dignified, unless we want to turn the neighbors and public opinion against the hawks. The honking and chanting worked. It got the building's attention and negotiations have begun. Now hawk-supporters should be showing up in numbers, holding their signs, and writing letters. As a pragmatist, I think time for honking and noisemaking is over (the neighbors are getting weary of it, as well). Audubon, which got the permits for the vigils, has been trying to calm people down and keep them orderly, but it's nearly bloody impossible. I hope we can manage it tonight, for the hawks' sake. If not, I fear tomorrow's headlines about crazy hippy extremists...

CLyde, me too- actually I work with homeless New Yorkers for a living.

what have you done for the homeless these days? Were you at the City Hall demonstration on December 1 supporting the homeless? just curious.

Clyde,

Yes. I've fought for homeless people as well as animals, and I'm always puzzled by those who think I need to choose between the two. I can walk and chew gum at the same time, too. It's really quite amazing, this multitasking ability.

Clyde is not the only member of the fourth estate getting a bit bored and a bit snippy as the story enters its second week, I notice. I hope the meeting today goes well -- we all just want this thing to be resolved and finished, and before it's too late for any chicks to be born this year.

Saying that the phrase "jump the shark" has jumped the shark has now officially jumped the shark.

The phrase "jumped the shark" has officially jumped the shark.

This story has officially jumped the shark.

I love how the NY Times article also notes that Lola was eating a pigeon as all the fuss was happening yesterday.