Devolution - a result of the war on thought

[Roland99]

We are truly in an age of reactionaries.

An age of snippets and images.

Thought is an opponent to be beaten into submission.

Headlines are the news.

Details are to be forgotten and dismissed like swatting a fly.


Even this place is not immune but at least up here there are people who dig deeper than the headline. People who would actually click a link posted on, say, Twitter or a Facebook feed, and read the article and learn from the words written therein and from that learning realize the lead-in from the headline has an opposite or misleading synopsis.


A perfect example (courtesy of the AP and posted on a local Fox affliate's Facebook page):


"The National Park Service wants to begin using border collies to chase away Canadian geese that frequent the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool and other spots on the National Mall."
Park service wants dogs to chase geese off National Mall

That's all that visible to the casual reader.

The bolded part above is a link, though. It points to a page on the local Fox affiliate's website with more information as to *why* this is underway. HOWEVER, the following comments are what's posted on the abovementioned Facebook page (typos, poor grammar, etc. kept intact):

now why on earth do they feel the need to do that ??? don't they realize that is probably one of the very things that get people to come to the park...... oh I forget.... the government agencies,,,, and SALLY SADMOUTHS don't want ANYONE to enjoy any part of life...

So wrong shame on them that's there home .

I don't think that this was necessary...

And yet we would get thrown in jail if we molested the birds

Put Them at the Mexican border ! Train to keep borders clear !

So, apparently, the article fails to answer these questions or refute the comments.

Or does it....

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/28602759/park-service-wants-dogs-to-chase-geese-off-national-mall

The agency said Tuesday that it is seeking public comments on a proposed plan to use the dogs to haze the large and growing geese population and chase them away to other parks of the park.

Park officials say large flocks of geese leave excessive droppings. One goose can leave behind 2 to 3 pounds of feces per day. Park officials say the goose droppings can damage pipes and filters in the reflecting pool and create a public health hazard.

Officials say border collies have a natural instinct to round up flocks of geese. They say no birds would be harmed.

So, right there, we have 2 major pieces of information:

1) It's not something in place now or about to be put into place. It's only at a phase of seeking public comment.
2) It's to prevent a health hazard and costly maintenance nightmare.



I weep.