Sunday, April 23, 2006
Carl Becker, R.I.P.
I was listening to WLS-Talk Radio one Sunday afternoon when I heard an Indian who raised golden eagles being interviewed. He lived in the Metro-East area and told about how he artificially inseminated eagles to increase the number.
After tracking him down, we talked for a long time. He told me how Indians thought the golden eagle was their messenger to the gods. I asked if he would be willing to bring an eagle to the State Capitol for a press conference to promote the signing of the bill. He agreed, bringing his mother and a pretty large female golden eagle.
We held the press conference on the second floor of the capitol in the northeast corner near the rail. Behind us was a bronze eagle.
“We can have bronze eagles like this,” I said, pointing to the statute, “or golden eagles like this.”
The eagle spread it wings, as if on cue, as her handler held up his arm and gave the cry of the eagle. It was a harsh and loud “Accchk,” although longer than the number of letters I typed would indicate.
The press corps, being ever helpful, suggested that I take the eagle to see Governor Thompson, who was in his office. We walked into the Governor’s outer office and asked if we could see the Governor.
Suddenly, the Indian’s mother ran toward the women’s restroom.
Just as she returned, the eagle started to relieve herself on the carpet, just as Thompson’s personal assistant, Greg Baise, was coming out of the Governor’s anteroom to report that the Governor did not wish to see the eagle. The mother was down on the floor with paper towels trying to clean up the mess.
“Well,” said one of the reporters, all of whom probably were pretty sure that Thompson would veto the bill, “I guess the eagle knows who its friends are.”
Then, we drove to Chicago for a press conference near the Tribune building and the Chicago River.
The eagle caught an updraft and flew to the end of its tether. I heard a little black girl ask her older sister, “Is that a turkey?”
After tracking him down, we talked for a long time. He told me how Indians thought the golden eagle was their messenger to the gods. I asked if he would be willing to bring an eagle to the State Capitol for a press conference to promote the signing of the bill. He agreed, bringing his mother and a pretty large female golden eagle.
We held the press conference on the second floor of the capitol in the northeast corner near the rail. Behind us was a bronze eagle.
“We can have bronze eagles like this,” I said, pointing to the statute, “or golden eagles like this.”The eagle spread it wings, as if on cue, as her handler held up his arm and gave the cry of the eagle. It was a harsh and loud “Accchk,” although longer than the number of letters I typed would indicate.
The press corps, being ever helpful, suggested that I take the eagle to see Governor Thompson, who was in his office. We walked into the Governor’s outer office and asked if we could see the Governor.
Suddenly, the Indian’s mother ran toward the women’s restroom.
Just as she returned, the eagle started to relieve herself on the carpet, just as Thompson’s personal assistant, Greg Baise, was coming out of the Governor’s anteroom to report that the Governor did not wish to see the eagle. The mother was down on the floor with paper towels trying to clean up the mess.
“Well,” said one of the reporters, all of whom probably were pretty sure that Thompson would veto the bill, “I guess the eagle knows who its friends are.”
Then, we drove to Chicago for a press conference near the Tribune building and the Chicago River.
The eagle caught an updraft and flew to the end of its tether. I heard a little black girl ask her older sister, “Is that a turkey?”
# posted by Cal Skinner : 6:10 PM
