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Photo of the Day: November 27, 2009
Man, the Washington Post really knows how to twist the knife while the wound is still fresh. Just a day after we all learned that the National Zoo's female adult panda, Mei Xiang, wasn't pregnant after all, Postie Michael E. Ruane files a story reminding us that Tai Shan, our beloved stick o' butter who's now all grown up, will eventually be sent back to China. Oh, and that day could come sooner than you think. Thanks, man. You also had something to tell us about Santa Claus, right?
You'll recall that Tai Shan's original two-year stay was extended for two more years in 2007, but the end of that time is rapidly approaching. Making matters worse, the Zoo is also in the midst of negotiating over the 'Stick's parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who are both on a 10-year loan from China that began in 2000. Could we suddenly and abruptly be panda-less?
Probably not. There's every indication that those commie bastards China's panda preservationists are having enough trouble caring for the animals they already have in the wake of last year's earthquake at the Wolong panda reserve, and might prefer to let all three D.C. pandas stay where they are. Still, the possibility of having to say goodbye to one or more of them in the next year makes yesterday's pseudopregnancy news all the more depressing.
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Thank god we don't have to put up with this cutesy-putesy panda $h!t much longer. Say hellow to your Red Chinese masters, you bamboo-breath bastards. Goddamned ungrateful immigrants, taking jobs away from hardworking American pandas. America for Americans!
There's every indication that those commie bastards China's panda preservationists are having enough trouble ...
Tell us how you really feel, Sommer!
Can the Milwaukee County Zoo return Happy the Hippo then?
They'll have to pry Butterstick from our cold dead hands.
Or fry Butterstick from our cold dead hands.
At the FONZ annual meeting last fall, John Berry said that the Chinese had agreed to let Tai stay *at least* until he is six. He added, "We'll get to see him become a full-grown panda." Tai is just short of four. Let's not start weeping yet. Remember that the press knows every story has more punch if it arouses strong feelings. I think the truth about Tai's future is at the end of the Post story, not the beginning.
I'm more concerned about his parents, Mei and Tian. Since they haven't been able to reproduce again, and their contract is up next year, I'm afraid they'll be uprooted from the home where they've lived virtually all their lives together and shipped to China and permanently separated. I think that would be cruel, at best. Unfortunately, the emotional welfare of animals doesn't seem to enter into these decisions.