Senators Move to Make Bison "National Mammal"

Observe south end of bison heading north for glimpse of big, steaming pile of Congress

I think I know now what they mean when they say ignorance is bliss. Ever since I heard this, my head started hurting!

There's a push in the U.S. Senate to make the bison, which is commonly known as the American buffalo, the official national mammal.

Wait! The Senate hasn't passed a budget in over three years, but more than one of them thinks we should be focusing on an appropriate national mammal?? Exactly how many years has the Republic survived without a "national mammal"? When was the last time you stood in a grocery store or unemployment office line and overheard someone bemoaning the fact the the US didn't designate a national mammal?

Is there some new bison crisis we haven't heard about? What exactly would this designation do for the bison?

The National Bison Legacy Act introduced in the Senate is backed by lawmakers from Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Rhode Island.

The largely symbolic measure would provide no added protections for the estimated 20,000 wild bison in North America. And the bald eagle would still hold a somewhat loftier role as the national emblem, as declared by the Second Continental Congress in 1782.

But supporters said the bison legacy bill would afford overdue recognition to a species that has sweeping cultural and ecological significance. Bison — North America's largest land animal — already appear on two state flags and the official seal of the U.S. Department of Interior.

(Emphasis mine)

So, instead of focusing on unemployment, or the Constitutional required budget, or energy self sufficiency, Guantanamo, the War of Terror or any of the other problems pressing our nation today, the Senate wants to waste time on a symbolic gesture, designed to bolster the bison's self esteem?????

It won't make two hoots in Hades 100 years from now whether or not we had a national mammal. It might make a difference 100 years from now, whether or not we still have a country, not passing a national budget.

Priorities, people! Do the heavy lifting first, then sit around in your comfortable chairs as to how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, or how many pin heads it takes to pass a national bison legacy.

Update : Maybe they could just name a street after them. It worked for Pelosi!

UpdateII : A commenter inspired me to look. In California we have a:
State Animal
State Bird
State Color
State Dance
State Fife and Drum Corps
State Fish
State Flag
State Flower
State Folk Dance
State Fossil*
State Gemstone
State Gold Rush Ghost Town
State Grass
State Historical Society
State Insect
State Marine Fish
State Marine Mammal
State Military Museum
State Mineral
State Motto
State Nickname
State Prehistoric Artifact
State Quarter
State Reptile
State Rock
State Seal
State Silver Rush Ghost Town
State Soil
State Song
State Tall Ship
State Tartan
State Theater
State Tree

Because California is solvent and has no troubles whatsoever of importance to deal with!

*May or may not be Jerry Brown!

Cross posted at LCR, Say Anything.