Comments for Wickersham's Conscience

Comment on The Best Justice Money Can Buy by Kate McLaughlin

Kate McLaughlin — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:58:59 +0000

Bob Gillam’s behavior is not helping the overall anti-Pebble mine campaign. Unfortunately, too many people see this issue, and the players involved, as an either/or choice. I am guilty of it too – I am totally against the Pebble Mine, I don’t see any gray areas in that choice. But then you see someone like Gilliam, who reminds me of a religious fanatic – the ends justify the means, no matter how many commandments you end up breaking.

Comment on Coping with a Late Spring by Wickersham's Conscience

Wickersham's Conscience — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:12:08 +0000

There are unusually large numbers of Pectoral Sandpipers in Fairbanks. Waiting for ice to melt, presumably. They seem to so okay on the exposed grassy areas.

/WC

Comment on Coping with a Late Spring by Kate McLaughlin

Kate McLaughlin — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:55:26 +0000

The village has been treated to a small flock of about 8 pectoral sandpipers hanging out on the lawn edges and backyard muskeg meadows. It the first time I’ve documented the species in my 15 years here.

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by Wickersham's Conscience

Wickersham's Conscience — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:34:04 +0000

Already taken by Indiana. Sorry.

/WC

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by sleddogstudio

sleddogstudio — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:28:24 +0000

I’m from Massachusetts–our state bird is Larry.

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by WakeUpAmerica

WakeUpAmerica — Wed, 22 May 2013 04:18:07 +0000

I love our ravens in the CA desert. They’re smart and the clowns of the bird world. However, they have NO respect.

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by dorkgirlak

dorkgirlak — Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:13 +0000

Nothing against either the ptarmigan or the gyrfalcon, but I think it’s shameful that our state bird isn’t the raven. They’re gorgeous birds, smart as hell, and tough enough to make it through any weather Alaska can throw at them, plus they feature heavily in Native folklore and legends. I guess some would be opposed to seeing our state bird feeding from a dumpster, but that’s just a sign of how smart and adaptable they are.

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by Lynne

Lynne — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:39:26 +0000

Alaska…Bald Eagle or Raven

Comment on The Birdist: State Birds: What They SHOULD Be by WakeUpAmerica

WakeUpAmerica — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:51:15 +0000

Ok, I call bullshit that the CA bird should be the condor. I LOVE the quail all over our neighborhood with their sassy little upright feather on their heads. They are very entertaining to watch. What can you do with condors except watch them through binoculars if you’re lucky enough to find them. Boring.

Comment on Bringing Facts to the Argument by Dan Garrett

Dan Garrett — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:45:21 +0000

i think i’ve mentioned this before (somewhere in WC’s blog) but facts are not helpful when half of the people in the conversation believe critical thought is a college-boy-trick learned in a college doesn’t even have a football team. to paraphrase The Princess Bride, “facts don’t mean what you think they mean” to someone who “learns” about climatology from El Rushbo. you can’t have a meaningful discussion about data analysis when one person creates talking points skimmed from Wikipedia articles and fact-checks the content with Tweets from #HumansLivedWithDinosaurs