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Submitted by stevenl on Mon, 09/24/2007 - 9:17pm.

A few months ago I proposed to make the mountain beaver the official Washington State Rodent. That idea didn't exactly set the world on fire, even though I have not given up on making this dream a reality. But now I have another idea, let's make the giant Palouse earthworm the official Washington State worm!

The beauty of making both of these uniquely Pacific Northwest animals official state symbols is that they will represent both sides of the state, mountain beavers on the wet side, giant Palouse earthworms on the high and dry side.

Calling for the geoduck to be named the official Washington State whatever it is might be too easy, since that animal has already garnered a lot of attention, unlike my two little friends mentioned above.

Here are some recent news articles highlighting the giant Palouse earthworm!

Rare Giant Earthworm Found at WSU!!!

Giant Worm is Stuff of legends and Must Be Saved, Group Says!!!

Suit is Filed to Protect Giant Palouse Worm!!!

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That is very disturbing, Steve.

That's one frightening worm. I'm going to have nightmares tonight.
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Giant

Giant worms...*shudder* 

"Anytime I see something screech across a room and latch onto someone's neck, and the guy screams and tries to get it off, I have to laugh, because what is that thing."

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Personally I would rather

Personally I would rather see the mountain beaver take it's rightful place.

"Come to Washington and see the mountain beaver!"

"Come to Washington and see the giant earthworm!"

Mountain beaver screams personality to me

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Call Disney, Quick!

Well, look at it this way. The mountain beaver eats its own feces, while the giant Palouse earthworm spits at people, so it evens out. Toss in a geoduck and I think we can write a screenplay for Disney. You know, the old cliche of the mountain beaver, giant Palouse earthworm, and geoduck on one of those "Incredible Journey" tales where the trio learn about life and themselves as they struggle against the odds to return home after being displaced. It would be heartwarming, inspiring, and good publicity for Washington State with all those beautiful background shots. Naturally the wild Russian boars of Grays Harbor County and the caimans of the FLOD would be cast as villains.
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You know, the old cliche of

You know, the old cliche of the mountain beaver, giant Palouse earthworm, and geoduck on one of those "Incredible Journey" tales where the trio learn about life and themselves as they struggle against the odds to return home after being displaced 

I believe I saw this on the Lifetime channel just the other day.  A real tear jerker.

*I am that person who doesn't throw out rotting things because they're scary and who kills wasps by spraying things on them and screaming.*

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Yet so inspiring

Yes, I cried, yet I also found myself inspired and even uplifted. Especially once the geoduck siphoned for the first time. All the other geoducks had laughed and teased him, but he showed them eventually.
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Was that the one with

Was that the one with Valerie Bertinelli?

Catholic baiting is the anti-Semitism of the liberals.
Peter Viereck, Yale Professor

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No

It was a heartfelt performance by Melissa Gilbert.
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I Thought It Was...

Judith Light!

 

 

"Do not mistake for conspiracy and intrigue what can best be explained by stupidity and incompetence." - Unknown

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Ridenbaugh Press

Ridenbaugh Press has weighed in on this topic with a nice little op ed. RP points out Eastern Washingtonians might not want to be represented by a giant worm that can spit. I was born in Spokane, and even worked in the Palouse region for a few years. I'm sort of a transWashingtonian and would be proud to have that unique squirmy animal on my flag. Yes, I went to a school that had a geoduck for a mascot. So?

Now all we need is some courageous legislator who will sponsor the mountain beaver and giant Palouse earthworm. Any candidate running for the legislature in 2008 who promises to do so will be heralded by future generations as a leader of vision and wonderfulness.

 

 

 

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"lilly-scented, spitting underground enigma"

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Worm news

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What do the worms have to

What do the worms have to hide? Are they associated with the Caiman?

It's the same old story - Everywhere I go, I get slandered, Libeled, I hear words I never heard in the bible

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Worth asking

But I myself am not brave enough to ask such questions out loud. Merwyn, you are brave indeed.
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The documentation on the

The documentation on the internet shows that I can be cold-blooded as a reptile, slimy as a worm. Sometimes if I hold still and don't breath "they" walk right past me.

I've seen every episode of Twin Peaks, and three or four episodes of X-Files (plus the movie and series finale) so I think I'm prepared to go out in the field. If anything happens to me, I don't want the Docents to be blamed. (Rather, suspect Steven since I think I just hijacked his thread)

It's the same old story - Everywhere I go, I get slandered, Libeled, I hear words I never heard in the bible

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Hijack away

Because as we all know, Steven is responsible for the fedora wearing you know whats. No spitting lily scented white worm can distract us from this fact.
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With election season coming up

It is fair game to ask them if they support making this creature a State symbol. I'm sure anyone who would make the Giant Palouse Earthworm part of their platform will enjoy a landslide victory.
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