I don't trust these overfed, overweight and over here critters and their bolshy "Oi - less 'ave yer spare nuts" attitude. Give me an elegant, sinewy red squirrel - like the ones that sometimes frolic in our garden - any day. I'm convinced they speak foreign languages, too.
My pro red squirrel bias would not stand me in a good stead with Dr. Ian Rotherham of Sheffield Hallam University, who according to this article in the Telegraph (and this),
said controlling grey squirrels was “eco-xenophobia”. He said of schemes involving population management “that they resonate with ideas growing with the BNP in the UK, and with other right-wing groups across Europe”.The "schemes" here referred to are probably those pursued by the Friends of the Anglesey Red Squirrels, which seems to have been a rather successful conservation project.
Well, what can you say?
"Political correctness gone mad!"
(picture via; more from squirrel expert da Wife, with embarrassing evidence of stylistic repetitiveness, here)
7 comments:
Didn't the white Jackie Wilson, Elvis Presley, die on his toilet in Graceland as a result of chronic constipation caused by eating sub sandwiches of peanut butter, jello (whatever that is - perhaps you can tell us) and Southern Fried Grey Squirrel? Or did I not listen attentively enough to that documentary? (I remember the Doctor talking about "the consistency of concrete" and I think I may have turned off.)
Mike (prime lateral thinker) ov Swinton,
The Anglesey website mentioned in my post actually refers to grey squirrel paté.
What's good enough for the King must be good enough for us ordinary mortals. Except for the jello (horrible stuff made of squirrel bones and skin and artificial flavouring. That's what little jellos are made of.).
There was a programme on, I think, BBC 2 back in the 80s about the ways in which Grey Squirrels are eaten - deep fried, I think, but I may just be stereotyping instead of remembering - in the Soutthern States of the USA.
Incidentally, what Dr Rotherham may be alluding to is not Red Squirrel conservation projects, but the fairly well publicised (in the UK) 'projects' of grey squirrel slaughter in the North East, which were starting to spread out in the summer. Some suggestions about eating the prey were made, I recall. Having listened to some of the "conservationists" involved, he may, dare I suggest, have had something of a point.
By the way, you link to an article by Robin Page. You may wish to check the wikipedia page "Robin Page (journalist)". If you look up "Robin Page" there you get the bio of an artist who was in Fluxus.
And after you've checked out the political credentials of Mr Page, type "Squirrel meat" "Foodies" into Google and read the article from the Scotsman that will appear at the top of the screen. (Check out Grey Squirrel Contol, too.)
I've seen the Red Yin three times in my life, in remote woodlands. I was always overwhelmed with delight at seeing something so rare. As for the grey, he's as common as muck. I've been watching the little bugger nick the food I've laid out for the birds all day.
So turn the grey into pates and terrines and let the red ones flourish.
KB Player - that's the spirit!
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