Comments on: Declining Indian owl population blamed on Harry Potter fans http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Jonathan Badger http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-929037 Jonathan Badger Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-929037 This has been going on for a long time in the West -- consider the lyrics to "Staurt" by The Dead Milkmen: "You know that Jonny Wurster kid, the kid that delivers papers in the neighborhood. He's a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes crack, but I don't believe it. Anyway, for his tenth birthday, all he wanted was a Burrow Owl. Kept bugging his old man. 'Dad, get me a burrow owl. I'll never ask for anything else as long as I live.' So the guy breaks down and buys him a burrow owl..." This has been going on for a long time in the West — consider the lyrics to “Staurt” by The Dead Milkmen:

“You know that Jonny Wurster kid, the kid that delivers papers in the neighborhood. He’s a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes crack, but I don’t believe it. Anyway, for his tenth birthday, all he wanted was a Burrow Owl. Kept bugging his old man. ‘Dad, get me a burrow owl. I’ll never ask for anything else as long as I live.’ So the guy breaks down and buys him a burrow owl…”

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-929042 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-929042 Two barely related stories, one about cultists which is probably false, and the other about the government which is well sourced and rational - and also completely obliterated by association with the fantasy story. Why does AFP hate owls? Two barely related stories, one about cultists which is probably false, and the other about the government which is well sourced and rational – and also completely obliterated by association with the fantasy story.

Why does AFP hate owls?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-929344 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-929344 Oh those poor hoo-hoo birds. Who would want to hurt an owly? Whoooo I ask? Oh those poor hoo-hoo birds. Who would want to hurt an owly? Whoooo I ask?

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928833 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928833 Elsewhere, the books have contributed to owl conservation efforts. Clearly there are death eaters at work in India. Elsewhere, the books have contributed to owl conservation efforts. Clearly there are death eaters at work in India.

]]> By: HowardsGrl http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-929091 HowardsGrl Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-929091 I agree that some things are bogus. Interestingly enough, when we went to adopt a kitten from the shelter it was in the month of October, and they were very happy we picked a black one. Apparently the black ones are the last to go due to people's silly superstitions. I agree that some things are bogus. Interestingly enough, when we went to adopt a kitten from the shelter it was in the month of October, and they were very happy we picked a black one. Apparently the black ones are the last to go due to people’s silly superstitions.

]]> By: Pantograph http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928847 Pantograph Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928847 "Ungrateful child! Do you know who your father had to bribe to get you a stuffed owl? Now why are you crying? You said you liked owls!" The Fresh Prince was right. Parents just don't understand. “Ungrateful child! Do you know who your father had to bribe to get you a stuffed owl? Now why are you crying? You said you liked owls!”

The Fresh Prince was right. Parents just don’t understand.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928848 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928848 It's not Diwali, it's the day before which is Kali Chaturdashi. This is supposed to be the best day of the year for initiation into mantras and other tantric lore. There is no traditional owl sacrifice. Animals such as goats, buffalos or roosters are often sacrificed by the extreme or "left-handed" tantrics but this is the first I've heard about owls. It’s not Diwali, it’s the day before which is Kali Chaturdashi. This is supposed to be the best day of the year for initiation into mantras and other tantric lore. There is no traditional owl sacrifice. Animals such as goats, buffalos or roosters are often sacrificed by the extreme or “left-handed” tantrics but this is the first I’ve heard about owls.

]]> By: kento http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928890 kento Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928890 o rly o rly

]]> By: StudioCenter http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-966525 StudioCenter Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-966525 I sure hope so! I sure hope so!

]]> By: Vinayak http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928904 Vinayak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928904 It does happen. Here's an old News report 'Divali sounds death knell for owls' here: http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031024/ldh1.htm And blame it all on Kashmir :) 'A Kashmir rumour sparks owl hunt in north India' http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/20003.html It does happen. Here’s an old News report
‘Divali sounds death knell for owls’
here:
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031024/ldh1.htm

And blame it all on Kashmir :)

‘A Kashmir rumour sparks owl hunt in north India’

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/20003.html

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928935 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928935 Everyone knows its Hobbits that are being presented to kids as gifts now. Get with the program. Everyone knows its Hobbits that are being presented to kids as gifts now. Get with the program.

]]> By: TharkLord http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-929454 TharkLord Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-929454 My cat is still upset about the Bible. My cat is still upset about the Bible.

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2010/11/03/declining-indian-owl.html#comment-928995 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-928995 Something tells me that the "Harry Potter" connection is as bogus as the claims that "satanic" slayings of black cats tend to rise around Halloween. (There are mutilations and killings of black cats, as well as other colors and species of pets, year-round, of course, but no particular incidence around Halloween; nevertheless, most shelter owners won't allow adoptions of black cats for a month beforehand.) Something tells me that the “Harry Potter” connection is as bogus as the claims that “satanic” slayings of black cats tend to rise around Halloween. (There are mutilations and killings of black cats, as well as other colors and species of pets, year-round, of course, but no particular incidence around Halloween; nevertheless, most shelter owners won’t allow adoptions of black cats for a month beforehand.)

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