the inspiration that is chris matthews

on hardball tonight, some beautiful (and ultimately inspiring) chris matthews reporting.

first, he continually referred to what happened to us airways flight 1549 as "a bird attack" (not a "bird strike" which is what aviation experts call it.)

and then there's this: in an attempt to understand exactly what happened, matthews asked this question of a bird strike expert (my emphasis) –

"so tell me how the birds hit the plane. there's two vectors, the birds are going in one direction, as a flock. together. and the plane's going in the other direction. the birds are not aware the plane is moving, or...you know. dogs jump outta the way, deer jump outta the way. birds can't do that, right?"

thursday over the hudson

Mid-afternoon, high over Manhattan,
a flock of Canadian Geese head south.
Two Geese are flying far back on the left side of the "V".

There is a general sense of unease.

GOOSE A
How's the wife?

GOOSE B
Fine.

GOOSE A
Flying on the right today, I see.

GOOSE B
She needed a little space is all.

GOOSE A
Sure, sure.

(Beat)

Colder than it's been.

GOOSE B
(Suddenly irritated)
She needed space, I said.

GOOSE A
The weather, featherhead.

(B shoots A a look.)

(Uncomfortable beat)

GOOSE B
I hate New York.

GOOSE A
That's a strong word, hate.

GOOSE B
Too many tourists. And you can never get good parking.

GOOSE A
I love a Grey's Papaya.

GOOSE B
Oh sure, who doesn't?

(Beat)

GOOSE A
See that thing up there?

GOOSE B
That giant silver thing.

GOOSE A
Yeah.

GOOSE B
Sure. I see it.
It's giant and silver how could you miss it?

(Beat)

GOOSE A
(Hesitant to ask)
You, ah...you think it's...moving?

GOOSE B
Moving?

GOOSE A
Yeah, moving. Like us. Moving.

GOOSE B
Do I think it's –

GOOSE A
Silly question, I suppose.

GOOSE B
– moving.
I don't think so, no. Moving? No.

GOOSE A
Good. I don't think so either.

(Tiny beat. Then to himself, under his breath)
Moving. Stupid.

(Beat)

GOOSE A
We are headed right for the damn thing, you know?

GOOSE B
Seems that way, doesn't it?

GOOSE A
If it's not moving...and we're...can we...?

GOOSE B
Can we what?

GOOSE A
Can we, uh...jump out of the way or something?
Before we hit it?

GOOSE B
Jump out of the way?

GOOSE A
Yeah.

GOOSE B
Jump out of the way?

GOOSE A
(Sheepishly)
I don't know.

GOOSE B
Do a lot of jumping, do you?

GOOSE A
I just meant –

GOOSE B
When is the last time you jumped?

GOOSE A
I just don't wanna hit it, or –

GOOSE B
You idiot. "Jump out of the way," he says.
What do you think I am, a dog?
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