With a pristine nature preserve in western Alaska as a backdrop, a father uses a fishing trip to bond with his daughter and discuss how to solve many of America's most pressing problems. Free from television and social media, the pair enjoys t

BALD EAGLE VISION

By JASON O'NEIL

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Jason O'Neil
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0785-7

Contents

Chapter One: "Taking Off".............................1Chapter Two: "Work Ethic".............................13Chapter Three: "The Flock"............................27Chapter Four: "The National Debt".....................39Chapter Five: "Flight Path"...........................47Chapter Six: "Lift-Off"...............................63About the Author......................................67

Chapter One

"TAKING OFF"

"Erin, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"OK. Let's go."

My daughter and I boarded a seaplane in Anchorage, Alaska, for the 45-minute flight to the westernmost shore, a seaport called Homer. As we zoomed over the 50-foot conifer pines, I checked my camera equipment. I was particularly excited about this five-day "retreat" because I knew I was going to come face-to-face with America's national bird, the bald eagle. But the trip had a bigger meaning, which I was about to divulge to Erin. The eagle symbolized the real meaning of the voyage: How to save our republic.

As the plane skimmed across ice-blue rivers flanked by never-ending forests, I kept asking myself, "Why me? Why was I chosen for this mission? Will I succeed? What will be Erin's reaction to being chosen as the harbinger, indeed, the Paul Revere of the 21st century, to commence a revolution against the welfare state?"

This will be my best chance, over these next five days, and I dare not let the nation down, I thought. In many ways this was tougher than being a Marine officer in Vietnam. There, I fired shots on behalf of America's democratization of the planet. Now I must use analogies and carefully selected words to save our democracy from itself.

From the airplane we could see bears running from the prop noise, puffins on cliffs, and flocks of seagulls circling about schools of fish. I thought of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull," Richard Bach's simple explanation of individual freedom told through the story of one bird learning how to fly against the order of the flock. For me the flock symbolized a bureaucracy that squashed freedom and made the innovator an outcast.

The analogy to modern America – some 40 years later – is inescapable. America needs to pioneer flight once again. It will spur the national commitment to solving its debt crisis brought upon the nation in 1964 by Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. As young lads, my brother and I snuck into the nominating convention with phony press passes that year. I was too young to know the damage the Great Society would cause to our democracy. Everybody was. It was a political ploy to gain votes at the expense of the national treasury.

Now, I suddenly feel pressure to adequately explain the impact of the welfare state upon my daughter. Somehow she must be the patriot in the church tower who waves the lantern to alert his generation of the dangers that have infested the Great American Experiment in time to save our democracy.

As the seaplane gently floated to its pier at Homer Spit, I could hear somebody on the pier call out, "Welcome to Eagle Country! Here you will see many reasons why America is great."

As we took the water taxi south across the bay to the lodge, I kept thinking that America is an experiment. Our Revolution was unique inasmuch as the rebels won. A government by and for the people was established by a Constitution that was so well devised that only 26 amendments have been required in 226 years. When asked by a curious citizen after the adjournment of the Constitutional Convention what kind of government had been created by the Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin is said to have replied, "A republic, if you can keep it." Franklin must have known just what an ambitious undertaking the new America was.

It's been 2000 years since the Greeks flourished. What makes Americans think they can succeed? In some measure it's the pioneer spirit, like the Alaskan Gold Rush, that says the republic can solve society's biggest problems. Somehow I will have to explain this to my daughter in a way that makes "common cents." In other words, she must clearly understand the urgency of solution for our national debt, or her generation – those age 25 through 50 – will be relegated to a meager, perhaps subsistent lifestyle, with no hope of retirement. The bald eagle will have to fly above the millions of ordinary citizens called to revolt against the establishment in Washington for this Great American Experiment to continue.

As the sun set behind a 13,000-foot mountain range, the water taxi pulled up to the lodge's pier. I thought to myself, this is when my salesmanship skills must shine. My logic must persuade and ultimately be employed by millions of patriots. It's a challenge that must be taken.

"Erin, let's check in and then join the other guests around the campfire."

Within a half-hour we were enjoying venison stew and homemade biscuits while warming ourselves with imported spirits alongside a blazing fire. Embers streamed up into the night sky, becoming one with the millions of stars twinkling in the cold, clear Alaskan night.

Soon, Erin's curiosity got the best of her. "Dad, what's our plan for the next five days? What are we going to do and why?"

"Well, Erin, it's simple. I thought we would have some meaningful conversations while enjoying the great outdoors. We'll fish, hike, canoe and kayak while I practice my photography, and hopefully we'll see some bald eagles. How does that sound?"

"It sounds like great fun. But there's got to be more."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, like your father and his father, you're a teacher. You don't drag me all the way up here just to commune with nature. Let's face it. You don't have the patience for fishing. Besides, I remember you telling me that when you were a teenager, you came here and the mosquitoes and horseflies were so bad, you couldn't get back in the airplane fast enough!"

"You're right, but this time I'm a man on a mission: I'm determined to take some great pictures and looking forward to enjoying this time together outdoors."

"And ..."

"And share with you some thoughts about our republic, our democracy and the current state of affairs." As we stared into the fire, I thought to myself that, in a perfect world, this father-daughter chat should take place a million times around America.

"Remember, Dad, I'm a journalist seasoned in asking tough questions."

"Yes you are. I know you'll question my facts and logic, and I'm looking forward to it."

"I have to admit, I am, too."

The fire glowed, but the long day had taken its toll on me. "What do you say we hit the hay and start early tomorrow?"

"Fine with me. The fish feed early."

The next morning came too soon. Dressed in our new fishing vests and several layers of clothing, we washed down a few hot cinnamon rolls with black coffee and were escorted to the pier by the innkeeper. He had already prepared our boat for the expedition, complete with paddles, rods, a bait box, lunch box and an environmentally friendly five-horsepower motor. Together we checked our map.

"Just hug the shore and you'll be fine," the innkeeper said. "There's a cove about a mile east. You'll know it when you get there – there are a lot of unsuccessful casts hanging from the tree limbs! But it's sheltered from the wind and full of salmon this time of year. If you see an eagle, take a picture. If you see a bear, stay in the boat. And be sure to return by 4 or you'll have to fight the tide. The motor's up to it, but only...