I was just watching the Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial and it was as awful as those things get.  The stars were stiff and the music was good for some and just horrible for others.

The lowest moment is when they trotted out these two poor bald eagles and made them spread their wings.  The  birds tried to fly away but couldn’t because they were tethered or something.  How is it that our national bird is something to be displayed at special occasions and not something that is seen all the time. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if they could have let the birds fly free to some warm southern destination.  Now that is freedom.

I think I am on Ben Franklin’s side.  He wanted the national bird to be the Turkey.  I know it is majestic watching a bald eagle swoop down and grab a salmon out of a river.  But isn’t the site of a well prepared turkey on a thanksgiving plate very American too?