Reply #52: I like eagles, but the United States is not an eagle to me.

[gulliver]

The flag represents the country to me, and the land itself. The eagle is just one aspect of the country, and perhaps not the best part. At least that's how I feel.

I think the eagle was a big thing with the Nazi's, a "proud" creature on wings, a bird of prey. Eagles are impressive -- sleek, aerodynamic, beautiful birds. But the country isn't an eagle. I just can't think of it as an eagle. When at its best, America is the real deal, a magnificent admirable, unique thing.

It ain't no stinkin' bird. Ashcroft's song is kind of sad really. You can tell that he thinks of America as an eagle -- proud and free, soaring. But as the saying goes, that's a mooncast shadow of what America really is.