Best Story of the Day -- Yes, It Could Happen -- Cowboy Humor At Its Best -- Bakken, North Dakota, USA

For folks unfamiliar with the west, or more specifically western North Dakota, one of the things I like best is the lone cowboy's wry (or is it "dry") sense of humor, and an ability to see hypocrisy and triviality at a 1000 yards (to mix metaphors).

Whiting is seeking a permit to build a pipeline in southeastern North Dakota. At least one member on the regulatory commission -- no doubt a well-read lawyer -- asked if construction of the pipeline would hurt migratory birds, specifically whooping cranes.

On behalf of Whiting, no doubt a cowboy in another life, the spokesman replied:

Regan said there should be no adverse effect on migratory birds, including whooping cranes. If whooping cranes are spotted flying within a mile of the construction site, construction would cease.

“In my opinion, it is pretty unlikely that a whooping crane is going to stop by a construction site,” Regan said.

“It could happen.”

Yes, I suppose it could happen. If a whooping crane lands at a pipeline construction site, it's probably there to walk around a wind farm.