Comments on: Column: How Many Daves of the Condor?

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 16:57:42 +0000

Though I lived in Ann Arbor from 1976-85, few of the “smarts” rubbed off on me. It took a careful reading of “Daves of the Condor” to fully appreciate the gist of the column. What attracted my Google “alert” was “condor” and so the Ann Arbor Chronicle popped up in my email. I just want to add some condor “stuff” to the comments. “Many” is a complicated term when it comes to California condors, as the population has grown from a low of about 22 birds back in the 1980′s to a current population of 417. This dramatic increase, 19X, is a direct result of the dedicated work of the wildlife biologists and the commitment of facilities and resources at the Los Angeles and San Diego Zoos. Their efforts have been supplemented by newer programs at the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise (operated by the Peregrine Fund) and the Oregon Zoo in Portland. There are about 232 birds flying free in the wild, of which about 77 are flying in the Grand Canyon population. You had an amazing opportunity to see these birds in the Grand Canyon and even more amazing to come away with a photo! 130 birds are in California (that’s “many”) and about 25 are in a wild population in Baja, Mexico. These are incredible birds and it was fun to see them cited in a story from Ann Arbor. Rich UM’s School of Natural Resources MS 1978

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 06:22:11 +0000

Apparently, someone is feeling a tad defensive about the % for Art program – or at least its funding.

Dave,

A resident of Vulcan would tell you that “The needs of the many out weigh the needs of the few”, suggesting that “Many” refers to more than 50% of a referent population, and that “Few” refers to less than 50%. Is that proper usage?

And speaking of the meaning of words, I recall that The Many of our valiant council commissioned a “Financial feasibility study” of a possible Library Lot Convention Center. When the consultant’s report omitted this central task of the RFP requirements, it was announced that the report was not a “Financial Feasibility” study, but rather an “Economic Viability” report, as if those phrases expressed meaningly different concepts. Curiouser and Curiouser.

From time to time, it has come to my attention that some other pieces of your writing also have had a point. Thanks for helping us to not overlook that this was one of those pieces.

Are you sure that many Ann Arbor residents live in California?

By: David Cahill

David Cahill — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:35:54 +0000

Postema’s artificial distinction between an “advice memo” and an “opinion” would never survive scrutiny by someone in a black robe.

By: anna ercoli schnitzer

anna ercoli schnitzer — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 19:26:15 +0000

Double wow! I have always been intrigued by your editorial erudition, logic, rhetoric, and sense of humor in the past, but now I am REALLY impressed (and, no, I am not being sarcastic, and, yes, this is my *real* name)!

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 16:56:08 +0000

Yeah, this has nothing to do with the article but have you all seen the movie Three Days of the Condor? Before I saw it, I dreamed up the scene where the guy goes out to get lunch, gets back and everyone has been killed. When I saw the movie, I was like, “You yanked my story idea!” Then I realized that the movie was made when I was 3 and realized I’m not so smart/creative after all!!! :)

By: Mary Morgan

Mary Morgan — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:33:08 +0000

Re. “shouldn’t that be ‘syntacticky’?”

Yes, it should. Now that we know everyone is awake, alert and paying attention – including us – it’s been changed.

By: George Hammond

George Hammond — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:31:02 +0000

Wow. Epic verbosity.

By: Vivienne Armentrout

Vivienne Armentrout — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:47:44 +0000

Re (1) At risk of being typical Ann Arbor, shouldn’t that be “syntacticky”?

By: Christo

Christo — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 12:48:40 +0000

We could a lot more articles like this. I love and have contributed financially to Ann Arbor Chronicle; it is one of the most useful and complete sources of information available to Ann Arbor residents, and I think ALL web-enabled residents should look at it at least once a week to keep tabs on the goings on of the people in charge.

It seems odd, with today’s dearth of unbiased journalism, to call an opinion piece refreshing. But in the A2 chronicle, for so long I have seen such complete and excellent transcription and reporting, with never a “can you believe this is actually happening,” or “wow, most of these people should be fired,” that I find this glimpse into the journalist’s take on things exactly that; refreshing.

By: Jim Rees

Jim Rees — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 12:37:36 +0000

Love that word “snytacticky.” I’d never heard it before. Obviously you are smarter than me.