Oh, good grief! Where is everyone's sense of humor? Why are we always so
quick to take offense at real or imagined slights? Loosen up. OK, so someone
called me "round eye" or "whitey" or whatever. Frankly my dear, I don't give
a damn. Forgetaboutit. "Old Squaw" is just fine; the name of the bird (as
opposed to calling somebody that name) doesn't denigrate any race, class, sex,
sexual preference, age, lifestyle, creed, color, national origin, nationality
or list of ingredients of anyone or anything. It's just a nice "old" name for
an interesting bird. I'm willing to be led around by the nose by the AOU when
they are forever splitting and lumping the same "old" species but I'm ready to
"squawk" when PC rears its ugly head. The next thing you know we shouldn't be
able to say "garrulous old man" or " loquacious old woman" in English,
Algonquian or Latin. PCers better take a look at what the scientific name
means, because that isn't going to change.

But I'll go with Callithumpian Duck in a second.

--------Herb Curl
*************************************************************
NOAA Hazmat 7600 Sand Point Way, NE Seattle, WA 98115 (206)526-6317
*************************************************************