I have received the following email from Archie Mazmanian, which I am reproducing almost intact:
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RE: Why We Love the Charles River White Geese - Feb. 6, 2012
Bob,
I'm getting longer of tooth and problems have been limiting for me for the past six months. But I follow your Blog and your recent post on the Memorial Drive closing's impact on the CRWG got me thinking of one of my last contributions to your Blog. Perhaps it might be appropriate to republish my contribution of Feb. 6, 2012, noted in the "Subject."
Archie Mazmanian
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RE: WHY WE LOVE THE CHARLES RIVER WHITE GEESE
Archie Mazmanian comments:
Yesterday's (2/5/12) NYTimes Sunday Review section features "Why We Love Zoos" by Diane Ackerman. Here's the closing paragraph:
"What a lonely species we are, searching for signals of life from other galaxies, adopting companion animals, visiting parks and zoos to commune with other beasts. In the process we discover our shared identity. We flock to zoos for many reasons, not least to shed some of the burden of being human."
Zoos are indeed great places to go to. But so is our jewel of the Charles River where for many years we - and especially our children - could enjoy the Charles River White Geese in what ha d developed into a seemingly natural habitat. There were no bars or cages. We did not interfere with the Goose Ghetto, respecting their privacy. But we shared the Charles River with them in mutual respect. Will the Goose Ghetto be restored? Will the destructive vegetation along the banks interfering with the CRWG use of the Charles River be eliminated? Will we once again reside in harmony with the CRWG?
Imagine 50 or a 100 years from now yet another misguided governmental effort to eliminate some other Charles River fauna. Perhaps these government officials might think: "Who remembers the CRWG?"
Let's not forget.
