A US Airways flight leaving LaGuardia airport this afternoon was apparently hit by a flock of geese shortly after takeoff, partially disabling the plane, and causing the pilot to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River, all with no loss of life. During the early stages of the reporting on cable news channels, a government official let it be known that there was no evidence of terrorist involvement in the accident. At a time when every extraordinary event becomes subjected to the litmus test of terrorist connectedness, it is remarkable that even a flock of wild geese would be subject to speculation of being a terrorist organization!
All of this reminds me of the classic “Monty Python” episode titled “News For Parrots.” The newscaster informs his listeners that “no parrots were involved in an accident on the M1 today, when a lorry containing high octane fuel was in collision with a bollard.” He added that “a spokesman for parrots said he was glad no parrots were involved.”
3:58 pm on January 15, 2009
