Some lucky New Hampshire fourth graders will never forget their first taste of big-time politics:
In the spirit of learning by doing, students drafted a bill to learn the process of how a bill becomes law. They proposed House Bill 373, an act establishing the Red Tail Hawk as the New Hampshire State Raptor. Even though it passed through the Environment and Agriculture committee with a majority vote, some representatives were far from receptive.
Rep. Warren Groen, a Republican from Rochester said, “It grasps them with its talons then uses its razor sharp beak to basically tear it apart limb by limb, and I guess the shame about making this a state bird is it would serve as a much better mascot for Planned Parenthood.”
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That comment, considered offensive by many, was made while the fourth graders sat, watched and listened. The tough lesson didn’t end there.
Rep. John Burt, a Republican from Goffstown said, “Bottom line, if we keep bringing more of these bills, and bills, and bills forward that really I think we shouldn’t have in front of us, we’ll be picking a state hot dog next.”
In a 133-to-160 vote lawmakers killed the bill and perhaps the civic enthusiasm of some 9-and-10-year-olds.
Nothing like giving those kids a raw look at how shitty and petty a state legislature can really be.
The Foreign Exchanges Companion 
And our national bird, the bald eagle also “grasps them with its talons then uses its razor sharp beak to basically tear it apart limb by limb”. Sigh. Perhaps the country should rethink the national bird. Also, I think that description fits many of our politicians!