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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

At Large Foie Gras: The Reckoning

Posted by Dan Savage on Wed, Feb 11, 2009 at 8:55 AM

1833/1234372304-birdgutsonawing.jpg Somehow it wasn't until after Southwest Flight 1906 taxied out to the runway that the ground crew noticed that this six-day-old Southwest plane—it still has that new-plane smell—struck a bird on its way into Albany this morning. "There is no damage," says the captain, "to the plane. But you can certainly see the remains of the bird if you look out at the wing on the left side of the airplane."

And you can. The bird appears to have been damaged beyond repair. It appears to have been a suicide mission. Most of the bird's guts are visible but I can't quite make out the condition of the bird's liver from where I'm sitting—so no telling if it was a goose fleeing a foie gras farm attempting to avenge itself on humanity. Not that many foie gras eaters fly Southwest—I mean, really—but we all bear collective responsibility for the horror of delicious goose liver, am I right?

So far no heroics have been required of the crew—although they did execute a flawless landing after being struck by a bird. We'll see what the birds try next when we're cleared for take off.

Comments (19) RSS

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Is it that smudge halfway down the wing?

Posted by Al on February 11, 2009 at 9:19 AM

Well, I'm a foie gras eater and I've never flown Southwest in my life, so I guess you got that right.

Cool photo.

Posted by Fifty-Two-Eighty on February 11, 2009 at 9:22 AM

Snarge! Remains of birds killed by jets! Snarge!

Posted by snargent pepper on February 11, 2009 at 9:24 AM

Hummingbird, probably.

Posted by Lloyd Clydesdale on February 11, 2009 at 9:24 AM

I fly Southwest. I love Southwest. And, nothing beats foie gras atop a nice, medium rare filet. I can only imagine the photos and comments of my plate after the carnage.

And my favorite line of the day, "The bird appears to have been damaged beyond repair."

Posted by Ty on February 11, 2009 at 9:27 AM

Ingrid Newkirk tallies the fall of every sparrow.

Posted by gwad peta narn it on February 11, 2009 at 9:28 AM

SeaTac was the lead story on CNN this morning regarding our anti-bird opps and how we're the best. I imagine you are on your way back and not at SeaTac.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/02/…

Posted by Non on February 11, 2009 at 9:28 AM

Foie gras mousse sells for $8 at Quinn's, less than a large sub at Quizno's or a salad at some airport food courts. It's not an expensive food for the wealthy, but only restaurants that attract a conservative white clientele get away with selling it.

Posted by lizzie on February 11, 2009 at 9:30 AM

Time to ban air travel. It's cruel to birds.

Posted by Rob in Baltimore on February 11, 2009 at 9:31 AM

You're just trying to get back onto the Most Commented list by jumping on the foie gras bandwagon. You probably killed that bird yourself. Lame! Birdkiller!

Posted by blank12357 on February 11, 2009 at 9:33 AM

BREAKING!

AP - NARN members plan massive protests to shut down the airline industry after gruesome slaughter of one bird is met with mild indifference.

Posted by ... on February 11, 2009 at 9:38 AM

Hope the bird guts didn't make you sick to your stomach.

Posted by kim on February 11, 2009 at 9:42 AM

Do you think the foie gras protesters would be offended if we only ate foie gras that came from these suicidal geese? It would certainly drive up the costs, but its less cruel and wouldn't involve sustenance with a side of guilt.

Posted by ShredFeather on February 11, 2009 at 9:43 AM

Perhaps the world is turning against us like that last M.Night Shamalan movie and the birds are the new suicide bombers... Islamic terrorists are so 2005. its all about the Birdist terrorists now.

Posted by Womyn2me on February 11, 2009 at 9:50 AM

I saw "The Birds". I didn't realize until now that it was an anti foie gras propaganda flick.

Posted by Rob in Baltimore on February 11, 2009 at 9:53 AM

Wait a minute... Dan Savage was flying on Southwest Airlines? A carrier that doesn't offer First Class cabins and seating....

Oh how far he's fallen...

Posted by Flyer on February 11, 2009 at 10:23 AM

If they were called 'air kittens' we wouldn't be so cavalier about killing them with our planes.

Posted by PITA on February 11, 2009 at 12:49 PM

Is it take your child to work day?

Posted by RED on February 11, 2009 at 1:01 PM

So Dan, hope this doesn't deter you from heading up to ALaska to appear at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) tomorrow night? We have geese problems at the Anchorage Airport too, but you're coming at the right time -- there are absolutely no geese around here until May. Ravens and eagles on the other hand......

I'm looking forward to seeing your talk tomorrow!

Jennifer

Posted by Jennifer on February 11, 2009 at 7:37 PM