Secret Service protects expectant duck - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

meembo · 04-08-2005, 11:36 AM

Secret Service protects expectant duck

What can I say?

Cynthetiq · 04-08-2005, 11:38 AM

a little more than just a link and 4 words...

this is a discussion board not a link board.

liquidlight · 04-08-2005, 11:48 AM

lol Nothing really abnormal, probably just a really slow news day! The SS guys are there anyway, may as well get the good PR of being seen as compassionate. Besides, can you imagine the political outrage from groups like PETA if they just ignored the nest and something happened to the duck or the eggs?

Glory's Sun · 04-08-2005, 11:50 AM

I tried to paste the story here..but even though it's a 100 words I keep getting the 10 words or less message.. dunno what's up with that

Quote:

Secret Service protects expectant duck
Treasury Secretary pays duck a visit

Friday, April 8, 2005 Posted: 12:50 PM EDT (1650 GMT)

The duck has several names, including 'Quacks Reform,' 'T-Bill,' and 'Duck Cheney.'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Secret Service, which has the job of guarding the president and other dignitaries, now has a new temporary duty -- protecting a mother duck and her nine eggs.

The duck, a brown mallard with white markings, has had several names suggested by Treasury Department people, including "Quacks Reform," "T-Bill," and "Duck Cheney." It has built a nest in a mulch pile right at the main entrance to the Treasury Department on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The Secret Service's uniformed division, which provides protection for the White House and Treasury building, has set up metal guard rails to protect the nest, which has attracted the notice of tourists on their way to see the White House.

The duck has been provided with a water bowl and seems oblivious to all the attention, sitting calmly on its nest on top of the mulch pile that surrounds one of the new trees planted along Pennsylvania Avenue as part of a renovation project.

Treasury Secretary John Snow stopped to pay his respects this week on the way back from a congressional hearing, Treasury spokesman Rob Nichols said Friday.

"He had been briefed on the duck and he stopped to pay a visit," said Nichols.

The eggs are expected to hatch the last week of April at which time the duck will be relocated nearer water. But until then, the duck will occupy some of Washington's prime real estate.

"Foreign leaders, members of Congress, everybody who visits Treasury has to pass by the duck," Nichols said.

meembo · 04-08-2005, 11:51 AM

Okay--didn't mean to touch a nerve!

I think that this story illustrates many ironies that make me worry about how poeple spend their time administrating our nation's capital city. A duck parks somewhere and lays an egg, and the following happens: federal agents protect it, Cabinet members "pay a visit", pundits name it, and journalists on a prominent world news source give it front page space on the international web site.

I'm all for safe ducks, but the absurdity of this story takes my breath away.

raeanna74 · 04-08-2005, 11:51 AM

Lucky Duck

If only she knew the honor she was recieving for her choice of home for her little ones.

TexanAvenger · 04-08-2005, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccilvr

I tried to paste the story here..but even though it's a 100 words I keep getting the 10 words or less message.. dunno what's up with that

Things in quotations don't count towards your word count. They count as somebody elses...

Just so you know.

Glory's Sun · 04-08-2005, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexanAvenger

Things in quotations don't count towards your word count. They count as somebody elses...

Just so you know.

yeah I forgot about that.. been a long day.

Cynthetiq · 04-08-2005, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexanAvenger

Things in quotations don't count towards your word count. They count as somebody elses...

Just so you know.

and knowing is half the battle!

liquidlight · 04-08-2005, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meembo

Okay--didn't mean to touch a nerve!

I think that this story illustrates many ironies that make me worry about how poeple spend their time administrating our nation's capital city. A duck parks somewhere and lays an egg, and the following happens: federal agents protect it, Cabinet members "pay a visit", pundits name it, and journalists on a prominent world news source give it front page space on the international web site.

I'm all for safe ducks, but the absurdity of this story takes my breath away.

It's parked at the front door of the Treasury Department, are you going to tell me that if a duck took up residence right outside the front door of your office or home that you wouldn't notice it or do anything about it? It's just one of those "touchy-feely happy" stories that these agencies use to get more readers, and at the moment it's working, we're all talking about it and I'm sure some of us clicked into the article. Eh, a lot of this just reads to me as office gossip with people attempting to suddenly sound official because they're talking to CNN!

meembo · 04-08-2005, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquidlight

It's parked at the front door of the Treasury Department, are you going to tell me that if a duck took up residence right outside the front door of your office or home that you wouldn't notice it or do anything about it? It's just one of those "touchy-feely happy" stories that these agencies use to get more readers, and at the moment it's working, we're all talking about it and I'm sure some of us clicked into the article. Eh, a lot of this just reads to me as office gossip with people attempting to suddenly sound official because they're talking to CNN!

I appreciate what you're saying. I still think the attention to the duck by federal agencies is ridiculous, and moreover, it leads on the front page of an international news website. I'm afraid all the attention might even bring on the early demise of the duck or it's offspring by someone who might not have the duck's best interests in mind!

Again, I'm all for safe ducks. Let no one say I am not!

liquidlight · 04-08-2005, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meembo

I appreciate what you're saying. I still think the attention to the duck by federal agencies is ridiculous, and moreover, it leads on the front page of an international news website. I'm afraid all the attention might even bring on the early demise of the duck or it's offspring by someone who might not have the duck's best interests in mind!

Again, I'm all for safe ducks. Let no one say I am not!

Well of course it's ridiculous, they're federal agencies. Everything that they do is ridiculous

If you ask me though I think you're just being silly, and by God I like it! heh

frogza · 04-08-2005, 12:39 PM

I wonder what would happen if a homeless guy set up his abode there, what would happen? I would hope for at least equal treatment for a human, but the realist in me says otherwise.

MooseMan3000 · 04-08-2005, 12:42 PM

Quote:

The Secret Service's uniformed division... has set up metal guard rails to protect the nest...

So no, they're not protecting it... they put up railings so that people didn't walk on it. There aren't 4 guys in suits with earpieces around it at all times.

Side note: The names suggested are terrible.

Coppertop · 04-08-2005, 12:44 PM

This isn't as ridiculous as the whole Freedom Fries thing. Now that was stupid.

stevie667 · 04-08-2005, 02:29 PM

Sounds like a little bit of harmless niceties.

If a duck set up shop outside your house, you'd probably be chuffed, made sure no-one trod on him and let your friends looked when they popped over for a visit.

Shows theres a little bit of love in peoples hearts if they can look after a somewhat lost duck, whilst screwing over everyone else. I'd certainly go say hello.

shakran · 04-08-2005, 03:14 PM

I'm not sure why you think the secret service is screwing over everyone but a duck, but other than that I agree with you Stevie667.

I don't have a problem with it being on cnn.com either. There's entirely too much negativity in the news most media outlets put out. I was travelling through Springfield last week and to watch the newscast you'd think there were more murders there than in New York, LA, and Beirut combined. I think it's kinda nice to balance out coverage of negative news with some stories that, maybe don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but that give the viewers something to smile about in a world where there's less to smile about every day.

There are days when I really do wish I could cover a story like a bunch of elite bodyguards taking a little time to make sure a mother duck can have her kids safely. It'd be a whole lot nicer than covering yet another murder.

KinkyKiwi · 04-09-2005, 12:11 PM

i second the "lucky duck." comment... and lol..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coppertop

This isn't as ridiculous as the whole Freedom Fries thing. Now that was stupid.

...the other day i was in a diner in the bronx and someone actually corrected me...apparently were still supposed to be using that ...

d3cemberist · 04-09-2005, 12:35 PM

Pretty messed up if you ask me. Oh well..

stevie667 · 04-09-2005, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakran

I'm not sure why you think the secret service is screwing over everyone but a duck, but other than that I agree with you Stevie667.

They should be looking after everyone as well as they do the duck!

Poor choice of words really, but hey, glad you got the gist of the rest of what i was saying.

04-08-2005, 11:36 AM	#1 (permalink)
meembo Junkie Location: Connecticut	Secret Service protects expectant duck Secret Service protects expectant duck What can I say? __________________ less I say, smarter I am

04-08-2005, 11:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	a little more than just a link and 4 words... this is a discussion board not a link board. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-08-2005, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
liquidlight AHH! Custom Title!! Location: The twisted warpings of my brain.	lol Nothing really abnormal, probably just a really slow news day! The SS guys are there anyway, may as well get the good PR of being seen as compassionate. Besides, can you imagine the political outrage from groups like PETA if they just ignored the nest and something happened to the duck or the eggs? __________________ Halfway to hell and picking up speed.

04-08-2005, 11:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
meembo Junkie Location: Connecticut	Okay--didn't mean to touch a nerve! I think that this story illustrates many ironies that make me worry about how poeple spend their time administrating our nation's capital city. A duck parks somewhere and lays an egg, and the following happens: federal agents protect it, Cabinet members "pay a visit", pundits name it, and journalists on a prominent world news source give it front page space on the international web site. I'm all for safe ducks, but the absurdity of this story takes my breath away. __________________ less I say, smarter I am

04-08-2005, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
raeanna74 I'm not a blonde! I'm knot! I'm knot! I'm knot! Location: Upper Michigan	Lucky Duck If only she knew the honor she was recieving for her choice of home for her little ones. __________________ "Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

04-08-2005, 12:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
frogza Registered User Location: Right Here	I wonder what would happen if a homeless guy set up his abode there, what would happen? I would hope for at least equal treatment for a human, but the realist in me says otherwise.

04-08-2005, 12:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
Coppertop Getting Medieval on your ass Location: 13th century Europe	This isn't as ridiculous as the whole Freedom Fries thing. Now that was stupid.

04-08-2005, 02:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	Sounds like a little bit of harmless niceties. If a duck set up shop outside your house, you'd probably be chuffed, made sure no-one trod on him and let your friends looked when they popped over for a visit. Shows theres a little bit of love in peoples hearts if they can look after a somewhat lost duck, whilst screwing over everyone else. I'd certainly go say hello. __________________ Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

04-08-2005, 03:14 PM	#17 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	I'm not sure why you think the secret service is screwing over everyone but a duck, but other than that I agree with you Stevie667. I don't have a problem with it being on cnn.com either. There's entirely too much negativity in the news most media outlets put out. I was travelling through Springfield last week and to watch the newscast you'd think there were more murders there than in New York, LA, and Beirut combined. I think it's kinda nice to balance out coverage of negative news with some stories that, maybe don't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but that give the viewers something to smile about in a world where there's less to smile about every day. There are days when I really do wish I could cover a story like a bunch of elite bodyguards taking a little time to make sure a mother duck can have her kids safely. It'd be a whole lot nicer than covering yet another murder.

04-09-2005, 12:35 PM	#19 (permalink)
d3cemberist Crazy	Pretty messed up if you ask me. Oh well.. __________________ i like my coffee black and my parole denied.