The "Roos" Have It!

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too





Randy Newman includes the humble kangaroo in his song entitled "Political Science" (exerpt above) about bombing the rest of the world because they don't appreciate the contributions made by the good ole' U.S. of A. Australia and kangaroos are granted a pardon in the song. Good call, Randy.

Kangaroos are magical. They rate right up there with unicorns, I reckon. The thing is, though most Australians think fondly of kangaroos, they have roughly the respect we have for the common deer in America. "Yup, there's one." They come out at dawn and dusk, have permanent "red-eye" to a camera lens, and become sport for some sick demented people who get their jollies by hitting or abusing a beautiful animal. Disgusting...and....cowardly.

For us Americans, kangaroos are amazing. Truly. Their front paws are not particularly functional, but they sometimes use them to hold down their food while eating. Otherwise, it's all hind legs, thick, muscular tail and adorable wide eyes. The joeys (babies) are impossibly cute, and very approachable. Really, they all are. They are so docile, they let you approach without much concern. They are so trusting. When I am among the kangaroos I feel the same way I do when I am snorkeling and playing tag with the fish on the reefs. One word describes it....enchanted.