Heard it on Rush's show and decided to check for myself. Here it goes. http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/panda/pandaposts.htm

E-mail From Readers (Page One)

I am a primary science teacher at Alexandria Country Day School, located in Alexandria, VA. Yesterday many of my kindergarten and first graders came to school concerned with the death of Hsing-Hsing. Immediately we began our day discussing the life of this famous panda. The quotes that follow were written by young children with big hearts. "Dear Hsing-Hsing, I am sad you died. I hope that you are happy. You are a cute panda bear." "Dear Panda bear, I am sorry that you had to die. I really did love you. I wished that you would come back." "Dear Hsing-Hsing, did you like to eat grass?" "Dear Hsing-Hsing, Did you like kids?" "Dear Hsing-Hsing, You were my favorite Panda Bear. You were beautiful. I miss you. I feel sad." "Dear Hsing-Hsing, Were you a cuddly bear? You sure did look like it!" "Dear Hsing- Hsing, How did you get to the zoo? How did you die? I hope that you are feeling better." "Dear Panda, I hope that you belly is better. I hate stomach aches too."

Gretchen T Arlington,VA

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I wept when I heard about Hsing-Hsings passing. He was more than an endangered animal, he was a friend whom we all grew up with. I, for one, literally grew up with him. I was born the year he moved to the U.S. and read about him and his mate often. Yes, there are thousands of other endangered animals that are in danger of being extinguished each day. I grieve for them also. However, none of those species have had the social, political and emotional impact of Hsing-Hsing and her mate. May they never be forgotten. J. Arlington

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Today (Tuesday), I found myself at Fair Lakes Mall, in front of the Zoo Store, where a simply framed photo of Hsing-Hsing is displayed. I stood there in front of the Zoo Store, looking at the photo, and wondering why I felt this sadness. I grew up here in DC and came to see these Pandas as the marketing tool of the National Zoo (in my suitably cynical teenaged years). Later, I just wanted these Pandas to get busy and have more Pandas. Finally, I just feel goofy and sentimental, thankful that I got to see the Pandas and sad that this long life is over. I do feel sadder about this Panda than any famous Human Being that has recently died, maybe that's a good thing. Jeff M Great Falls

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was so saddened when I heard that Hsing-Hsing passed away. On Sunday, while watching MSNBC and it's captions stated that Hsing-Hsing died today. After reading the caption,I turned off the TV and started to cry for this beloved animal who now in a better place with Ling-Ling. He had a good long and wonderful life here in the US and at the National Zoo. He was so loveable and cute. I'll miss him.

Carmillia T. Silver Spring

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Animals - especially endangered species - are not "gifts" to be bought and sold on the international market. The human unconsciousness here is pathetic! While everything possible should be done to save an endangered species, putting them in a zoo - thousands of miles away from their natural habitat - so that hordes of ignorant tourists can ogle them - should not be part of the effort. No wonder they never thrived here! Give the millions of dollars being proposed to "buy" them to a Chinese or international organization seriously helping to preserve them, whether in the wild or in protective environment.

As for putting Hsing Hsing "on display" in the Smithsonian, he was "on display" most of his life. Give him the dignity in death that he was denied in life! Bury him in Arlington National Cemetary.

Janet L. Washington, DC

You can find more at the above link.

-- Brooklyn (MSIS@cyberdude.com), December 01, 1999

Answers

Unnnhhh...can we say Off Topic?

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@aol.com), December 01, 1999.

You mean the idiocy these people display has nothing to do with complacency we see in general population? I disagree.

-- Brooklyn (MSIS@cyberdude.com), December 01, 1999.

Looks like the first graders haven't quite grasped the concept of "dead." As in "How did you die? I hope that you are feeling better."

Thanks for the laugh.

-- they're (just@so.cute), December 01, 1999.

DEAD?!!! DEAD?!!! I didn't even know he was SICK!!!!

-- Jay Urban (Jayho99@aol.com), December 01, 1999.

Looks like the first graders haven't quite grasped the concept of "dead."

Unfortunately, they will very soon.

-- (its@coming.soon), December 01, 1999.

I guess its kind of like a bad hangover. You know, the ones where you either feel like you've died, or wish that you would.

-- a (a@a.a), December 01, 1999.

You mean they aren't going to stuff him so his legacy can live on? I'm sure the children will want to eventually bring their children to see a stuffed panda. I vote they stuff him and put him on display at the Smithsonian.

-- stuff him (stuffhim@stuffhimmm.xcom), December 01, 1999.

Why are Americans that love panda bears considered dumb? I guess it's hard for Randroid crowd to value anything of nature for its own sake.

-- Ocotillo (peeling@out.===), December 01, 1999.

Wow. One thing I did not expect is to find one of such idiots on this forum. Here's what you should do, Ocotillo. You should gather people like yourself; jump on the bus from Orange County, NJ, heading to Delaware Water Gap using Route 80. Count every roadkill you will pass. Don't even bother with counting small animals just count dead deer. At the end of the trip you will be given the same cocktail that was taken by Heavens Gate cult. You will be able to commit mass suicide because your grief will be unbearable. I am not sure though if you will be able to join Heaven's Gate -- the comet passed by a long time ago.

-- Brooklyn (MSIS@cyberdude.com), December 01, 1999.

Delete this thread? Please? Sysadmins? Purge! Purge!

-- Colin MacDonald (roborogerborg@yahoo.com), December 02, 1999.