Hawk Kill, and Media Revisionism
Where to begin? This is a follow-up story to the senseless killing of a hawk, and also about how the news media will change a given story on a particular link, and "dispose" of the previous versions of the story.
On March 7, 2008 at 1:52 AM, I published a post reviling PGA player Tripp Isenhour for deliberately, senselessly, and cruelly killing a Red-shouldered Hawk. That post was based on an earlier version of the following Yahoo! Sports report
Except that the link above is not the same one I spoke to on March 7, 2008 at 1:52 AM... The content of the link has been changed... You can read the original content at: Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour apologizes for killing hawk, Humane Society to contact PGA
The second version of this same story (using the same link) was quite forgiving, (and if my memory and my wife's memory are correct) failed to even mention Jethro Senger, the sound engineer who reportedly yelled at Isenhour.
And now, the story has taken on yet another iteration - one of a more accusatory tone towards Isenhour. That makes for three different stories (all using the same Web link) that vary in substance regarding the issue of the dead bird.
This is pathetic for a bunch of reasons...
- A beautiful bird was killed either out of idiocy, wanton cruelty, or both.
- News outlets changing a story can drive a person crazy. Think about it... How many times have you read an article online, only to go back to it later and found that it "just didn't seem to be the same"? Well, guess what... It's quite possible that it wasn't the same.
- Media revisionism is a little scary. True, there are times when a simple behind-the-scenes edit is appropriate. That is, it's one thing to correct the phrase, "the dogs was on a leash" by changing it to, "the dog was on a leash". But it's entirely another to change "the dog was on a leash" to, "the dog was running wild". Doesn't the media understand that playing fast and loose with the story without full disclosure is a prescription for problems? Didn't "RatherGate" teach them anything?
- Finally, let's debunk the excuse that the shot that killed the hawk was "one in a million". That's a lot of fertilizer... No more and absolutely no less... Check out the following video of Tiger Woods trying to hit a camera... Granted Isenhour is no Tiger Woods, but he's a pro, and still plenty good enough to make that shot given 10 or 20 tries.
Anyway, lest we forget the dead Red-shouldered Hawk (or get confused by the varying stories), here's a reprint of this species of bird.
Once again, deep sigh by the feeders. And once again, thanks to Wikipedia for the hawk photo.
CapeCodAlan
Comments
{Note from CCA: The following is a repeat of a comment made by Gerry Ashley on March 7th... Mr Ashley asks that this comment be re-posted here}
A couple of thoughts:
1.) Isenhour's a celebrity. He'll get a symbolic slap on the wrist, a fine and no actual jail time. It will be a non-event to the public in general faster than you can yell, "Fore!" Sad, really.
2.) Perhaps a better way to deal with Isenhour is to hit him where it hurts: Endorsements. I suggest we do a little digging and find out just what kind of lucrative endorsement deals Isenhour enjoys, and then WRITE LETTERS to the companies paying him.
See how fast Michael Vick lost his multi-million endorsement deals when it became known he forced his dogs to fight (sometimes to the death) and cruelly tortured and killed the ones who under-performed? Why don't we ensure the same FINANCIAL fate for Isenhour? I suggest we start writing letters to whoever has been lining his pockets, telling them we will not patronize any company that continues to pay endorsement fees to someone who so selfishly and gleefully killed a bird, ESPECIALLY in the manner in which he did.
Question them as to whether they want THEIR company seen as one that supports this kind of behavior.
To sum it up, THAT'S the way you deal with people like this. Hit them in the only bread basket they understand. Lose a million dollar endorsement deal and suddenly it might just cause Isenhour to rethink his approach to things.
But for bird lovers to stand by and do or say NOTHING would only add to the tragedy.
Posted by: Gerry Ashley | March 9, 2008 1:32 PM
I tried to leave feedback on the PGA.com site, but their feedback mechanism seems to be broken today. So I called their local phone number in Florida, 561-624-8400, which put me into their automated phone system.
Using my phone's keypad, I keyed in the last name of the PGA CEO, a Mr. Steranka, which very kindly gave me his voice mail. Here is the message I left for Mr. Steranka:
"I am calling to let the PGA know that I am appalled by the actions of Mr. Isenhour, in the deliberate stalking and killing of a red-shouldered hawk that was bothering him as he tried to film a commercial. His reaction shows the mindest of a vindictive, petty, mean-spirited loser who should no longer have PGA credentials. Not only am I notifying his sponsors, Titelist and TaylorMade, that I will not be be a purchaser of their products any more, I will no longer attend PGA-sponsored events in my area. I will also encourage all my friends at my local golf clubs to do the same.
Mr. Isenhour is a digrace to golfing, and the PGA should sever its affiliation with him immediately. If you wish to contact me and discuss this further, you may reach me at blah blah blah."
I really hope he calls back.
Posted by: MrsCapeCodAlan | March 9, 2008 3:31 PM
Hawks on my property will get shot when and if I see them. They kill my Guinea hens and I have no sympathy for them.
{Reply from CCA...
Hi Ms. Gray, and thanks for your comment... Thoughts...
* I certainly understand your feelings... A couple of weeks ago, I was stunned to see a hawk slam into one of our mourning doves, and then proceed to rip it apart on our deck... A couple of days ago, a hawk (red-tail?) maimed one of our chipmunks... I'm pretty sure the creature bled to death... Not pretty.
* In your case, this is particularly tough in that Guinea hens are insect (including deer ticks that carry Lyme disease) eaters... However... (Yeah, there's always a however...)
* I've got to throw up a couple of red flags...
-Depending on the law in your area, you MAY have farmers' rights, etc... However you probably WON'T be able to legally shoot raptors... This is a huge deal. This is a very huge deal! Illegally killing a protected raptor is literally a great way to spend some time behind bars. The Feds don't kid around... (If you have questions, I'd suggest that you contact your local state Conservation Officer or the nearest office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)
-A quick note about the discharge of firearms... As a life member of the NRA, I think I speak from experience... The unlawful discharge of a weapon (even a BB gun) will land you in very hot water pronto. Once again, the officials and courts are extremely harsh...
If you illegally shoot a raptor, expect to spend months in jail and face tens of thousands of dollars in fines...
Words to the wise...
CCA}
Posted by: Ann Gray | July 9, 2008 6:44 PM