Bad pigeon column in NY Post

[PigeonFinder]

Note that the author's e-mail address is at the end of the coulmn:

TOO BAD PIGEONS DON’T POOP OUT
By GERSH KUNTZMAN
New York Post
10/21/02

October 21, 2002 -- I'VE got some good news, some bad news and some really bad news.

Let's start with the good news: Last week, I was leaked part of the Audubon Society's forthcoming "Watch List," the semiannual roster of birds that have become endangered by hunting, development or other causes. And the pigeon - that disease-spreading rat with wings - is on the list!

OK, now the bad news: It's not New York City's pigeon that's endangered, but three non-urban species.

Darn.

Now, before the animal lovers go crazy, let me say that I love animals. If the band-tailed pigeon, the white-crowned pigeon or the plain pigeon were lost forever, I'd be devastated.

But city pigeons aren't animals. They're vermin! Not only do they carry disease, but there is nothing more repulsive than the sight of a pigeon pecking at a dirty french fry in a gutter. To rid the world of this blight is a noble pursuit. Or, as folkie Tom Lehrer once sang, "It's not against any religion/To want to dispose of a pigeon."

Estimates on New York's pigeon population range from half a million (officially) to 45 billion (less accurate, yet oddly plausible). Even the top bird man at the Audubon Society begrudgingly admits that pigeons give real birds a bad name.

"There's a fine line between too many and too few," said Frank Gill, the Audubon Society's science chief, indicating that the common pigeon is in the "too many" category.

But Gill cautioned anti- pigeon New Yorkers to be careful what they wish for. Just remember what happened to the passenger pigeon, once

the country's most common bird.

"There were billions of them," Gill said. "They'd darken the sky. You could just fire in the air and cart off barrels of them."

But hunting and over- development eventually killed off the bird, and by the beginning of the 20th century, there were none left.

The lesson? "Just because a bird is common doesn't mean it can't disappear," Gill said.

Which brings us to the really bad news. This year's "Watch List" - which will be released tomorrow to much fanfare - includes more than 200 birds, or roughly one-quarter of all species in the United

States. "The average bird in this country," Gill said, "is in big trouble."


gersh.kuntzman@verizon.net

[AZWhitefeather]

Good morning Pigeon Finder,
Looks like you did find something.

Just wondering: What is your definition of a 'Plain Pigeon'? You mentioned two specific types then a plain pigeon! How does a plain pigeon differ from a 'city pigeon'? I am not being sarcastic, I really don't know. Cindy

[cyro51]

Hi Pigeon Finder,

Have you responded? It makes you wonder how something as pathetic as a hungry pigeon eating a dirty french fry can be regarded as repulsive and worthy of destruction by some people!

In the UK there is a new TV advert (I think it is for Orange) that starts with someone thinking "If I had my way there would be no more pigeons"... I know that it is supposed to be viewed as humorous, but actually makes my blood pressure rise with indignation!

Perhaps someone who is good with words could write a pro-pigeon article for the same publication?

Cynthia

------------------
All beings are fond of themselves, they like pleasure, they hate pain, they shun destruction, they like life and want to live long. To all, life is dear; hence their life should be protected.

-Mahavira

[John_D]

Well spotted!

Definitely a candidate for an e-mail - maybe also one to someone a little further up the chain?

I shall be drafting something for the pigeon-basher this day!

John

[John_D]

Text of letter to NY Post Editor 'opinion'..

I must take issue with Gersh Kuntzman’s piece, as inaccurate and an incitement to cruelty to non-human creatures.

From where, pray tell, do the dirty french fries (plus filthy chunks of bread, and half-eaten burgers and pizza slices) come?

Who engineered the conditions in which diseases can proliferate?

Through which species' interference with nature did those pigeons come to be amongst us?

Did you know that the US Centers for Disease Control states 'the chances of getting a disease from a pigeon anywhere in the US are extremely rare'?

Do tell us, what is the most destructive, overpopulated, and malicious pest species on earth?

Clues....It walks on two legs and has no wings; excels at distributing garbage around, and causing wholesale pollution of, its environment; may be seen spitting, vomiting or urinating in inappropriate locations (often near bars); has the potential for spreading a multitude of diseases (sometimes with intent)....but let's not give too many clues away!

Now, about ridding the world of a blight......?

Try some research, huh?

----------------------------------

By the way...a Plain Pigeon is a species of wood pigeon found in the Caribbean - that journalist really should do his research!

John

[This message has been edited by John_D (edited October 21, 2002).]

[turkey]

John you are WONDERFULLY brilliant!

As I started reading the article and got to the french fry bit, I had to stop for a second and calm down.

There are idiots like this all over the world. They are your neighbors and mine. They are ignorant of many things not just pigeons, because they are a selfish breed of human. That won't be my children, and most likely not any of yours.

My heart goes out to all you pigeons lovers whose hearts raced and faces reddened when you read that article. You and I feel the same way and it's good to know we are not alone.

Peace,
Julie

PS. "GERSH KUNTZMAN" is that a German name by any chance? (Just wondering)


[This message has been edited by turkey (edited October 21, 2002).]

[aloft]

Congratulations, John!

This guy belongs to that cathegory of newyorkers I was describing a while ago by giving an example of a situation that has happened right before my eyes... One day I was just offering some seeds to a few pigeons who had crossed my way in a street of a rich neighborhood of Manhattan. Two couples approached me, cursing at me for feeding the pigeons, after which one of the guys just started grinding the seeds under the soles of his fancy shoes, in the sound of the most disgusting and weired sounds coming out of his mouth. It was the expression of a visceral hatred for these birds that I will never be able to forget. I gave that specimen my best regards, which I also hope he'll never be able to forget. I am disgusted to the bone to see and hear about cases like this and I wish this Kunzman & Co. weren't living on this planet. Shame on them!
Once again, good job, John!

Regards,

Ely

[joann woodring]

Hey John, Good reply!

[fred2344]

This is my letter to the New York Post. It had to be limited to 200 words. I could have written a great deal more:
That article attacks intelligence. If the pigeon is dirty, it’s because they have been forced to live in cities made dirty by people. In a time where flora and fauna are being extinguished every single day throughout the world, Mr. Kuntzman sent out a message filled with lack of compassion, lack of understanding and lack of knowledge.
I just picked up a pigeon that had been deliberately tortured and will never be able to fly again. I wish that Mr. Kuntzman would take this bird in and make him a pet because he would learn a lot more about these precious birds than he does now and it would make him ashamed of what he wrote. Yes Mr. Kuntzman, they make loyal, affectionate and loving pets. Mr. Kuntzman, you can't catch anything from a clean pigeon except a renewed respect for all life. Remember that when you see those birds forced to bath and drink from contaminated street water and eat a French fried potato because there is no seed for them. If you want to see clean pigeons, attack the source of the filthy city and not its victims.

[Afra]

Hey, Fred, excellent reply! I wonder, however, if Mr. Kuntzman will read your letter. I wonder if anyone will read your letter. Sometimes people don't read letters from those they are attacking or angry at. They just ignore them and toss them aside. But I hope and pray that your letter will produce the opposite effect, and that the birds will be treated better afterwards with love and respect. Some people just don't understand.

[maryco]

Fred and John's letters are both great!
I hope it will open those people's eyes abit...

Mary

[fred2344]

Afra,
Thanks. I wae stunned when I read the article and it took a couple of days before I could think straight. I would expect an attitude like this from the ordinary person but not from a supposed reporter. A real reporter gets the facts first and this guy doesn't have a clue.

------------------
"Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."

Albert Schweitzer

[Afra]

Sounds to me like he's talking about something he knows very little or nothing about and doesn't even have a clue as to WHAT or WHY he is attacking. People tend to do that a lot.

I'd like to add that I read John's letter as well, and I also find that a very excellent letter. Maybe if Fred and John both send their letters, there might be a good change.

[This message has been edited by Afra (edited October 22, 2002).]

[fred2344]

Folks,
Please send your opinions. This is important. Send them to:
gersh.kuntzman@verizon.net

------------------
"Until he extends the circle of compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace."

Albert Schweitzer

[AZWhitefeather]

Hello Everyone,
I plan on responding & indeed sending a letter to this person. Gentleman, would normally be my reference of choice, however I cannot consider him as such.

I am in the process of attempting to locate the actual article in it's entirety. Once I read it I will respond. I am still trying to lower my B/P after reading the excerpt in Pigeon Finder's post.

Unfortunately, I feel Afra is correct, in that this person will merely delete his email if he figures it is going to be another 'negative' response to his article. But that's OK. Email first, other measures second.

Fred is exactly right however, we all need to respond to this horrific article. Cindy