From Jim Beers re children and ducklings.My local nespaper recently ran a touching letter from a (young?) lady. Miss Z. remarked that she was struck by all the fuss at a nearby school about a mallard mallard: see duck. mallard Abundant “wild duck” (Anas platyrhynchos, family Anatidae) of the Northern Hemisphere, ancestor of most domestic ducks. The mallard is a typical dabbling duck in its general habits and courtship display. duck near the school. The authorities had posted a sign warning that ducks were protected by law and anyone disturbing the duck on her nest would be prosecuted. Miss Z. then mused about how the law protected an incubating duck and her eggs while US courts did not protect a child in its mother's womb. If indeed this was a young lady making these observations, I was greatly encouraged about the future of our nation. I then sent the following comments to that local paper to expand on what had so disturbed this lady. I worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service for over 30 years in four states and the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). . I was first, last, and always a dedicated waterfowl waterfowl, common term for members of the order Anseriformes, wild, aquatic, typically freshwater birds including ducks, geese, and screamers. In Great Britain the term is also used to designate species kept for ornamental purposes on private lakes or ponds, while in biologist although my first job title was often Game Agent, Special Agent, Refuge Manager, Wetlands Biologist, and Wildlife Biologist. I got into the business because of a passion for waterfowl that I have, thankfully, never overcome. When Roe v. Wade Roe v. Wade, case decided in 1973 by the U.S. Supreme Court. Along with Doe v. Bolton, this decision legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. was handed down by the Supreme Court in 1973, I was astonished a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. . Not just because of the inhuman legal status and lack of legal protection awarded a child in its mother's womb, but for another reason as well. I was a Federal US Game Management Agent (Federal Game Warden) at the time. I had cited people for violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that the US signed with Great Britain in 1917, on behalf of Canada, to protect 212 species of birds that migrated between Canada and the United States The United States and Canada share a unique legal relationship. U.S. law looks northward with a mixture of optimism and cooperation, viewing Canada as an integral part of U.S. economic and environmental policy. each year. The Treaty specifically prohibited "the taking of nests or eggs" of the named migratory birds. I had cited persons for stealing duck eggs--because then, as now, the egg of a protected migratory bird is the same as the bird itself before US and Canadian courts. In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently a redhead duck egg is a redhead duck before the law, while a human fetus is not even human nor is he or she protected before US (Editor: or Canadian) law today. Centreville, VA, USA |
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