Old New National Symbol

The Tea Party Movement needs a symbol to unite it's many bands of patriots. An old new symbol worthy of consideration is the fabulous All American Turkey.


Benjamin Franklin that great Renaissance man of our colonial era first proposed the turkey as our national bird but was defeated by the federalist eagle lobby. In addition to inventing keys, kites, electricity, the hundred dollar bill, stoves, and a line of pricey collectible porcelains & coins Franklin may have been "right on" about his turkey proposal.


While an eagle may strike "vogue" and heroic poses of strength and stability it's a delicate creature nearing extinction a few years ago. Obviously, for allowing itself to near extinction eagles cannot be among God's brightest creatures. As a wild animal eagles tend to be loners, scavengers, and bully's in their avian world. Eagle couples rear small families and tend to view the world from lofty heights. Eagles are protected by many federal laws. It's a crime to capture, eat, breed, or domesticate an eagle.


Turkeys however are more amenable birds. They are intimately related to American history and culture. A tasty turkey was an entree at our nations first Thanksgiving feast near Berkley Plantation in Virginia and later a main meat at Thanksgiving meals served in the northern colonies. Wild turkeys are beautiful and peaceful forest animals raising large families of little gobblers. While they can fly most turkeys remain well grounded to Terra Firma. As a hunters prey turkeys are brilliant in their camouflage and elusiveness. There are no records of turkeys attacking tourists in a national park or bullying their bird neighbors. Their domesticated cousins provide billions of political correct meals of delicious white and dark meat. Our entire Thanksgiving Holiday is centered around eating and reheating turkey and turkey related leftovers. Turkey farming provides great employment opportunities and millions in sales to our national economy. Finally, a turkey is the only animal on the planet to get an annual audience and pardon from the President of the United States.


As a national symbol the eagle lacks the very down to earth and practical aspects of the turkey. The major political party's have totally nonsensical animal tokens which are sillier symbols then an eagle. The Democrat's jackass was probably a Spanish import and God knows why the GOP chose an elephant to represent their political party.


The turkey then is a tremendous old new idea for the Tea Party and perhaps the whole USA. It's origins as our national bird comes from a time in our history when a tea party meant a great deal more then a beverage break with a few cookies. So don't be a turkey support the turkey.