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The Very Idea of a Bird

The very idea of a bird is a symbol and a suggestion to the poet. A bird seems to be at the top of the scale, so vehement and intense his life . . . how many suggestions to the poet in their flight and song!

- John Burroughs

. . . and perhaps also a symbol and suggestion to David Hackbart of Pennsylvania, who was inspired to give Sergeant Brian Elledge the finger moments before the Pittsburgh police officer pulled him over. As you probably guessed, the finger and the traffic stop were highly related, but luckily for Mr. Hackbart, the finger turns out to be a constitutionally protected speech act.

Memorandum here, discussion here. Just don't get carried away -- not every gesture is a protected gesture.

Full post as published by Nuts & Boalts on March 25, 2009 (boomark / email).