subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Mon, Nov 09 2009 

Published June 21, 2009 08:25 pm - The Globe editorial page (June 20) provided opportunity for some heavy thinking. There was an excellent youth editorial advocating more local coverage in newspapers, a nationally syndicated column about Iran and Konrad Heid’s perspective on health care. All were thought-provoking.

Voices: Serious pondering



The Globe editorial page (June 20) provided opportunity for some heavy thinking. There was an excellent youth editorial advocating more local coverage in newspapers, a nationally syndicated column about Iran and Konrad Heid’s perspective on health care. All were thought-provoking.

I became distracted from those serious pieces however when my wife pointed out an AOL article on the new White House dog. Now that is a topic which really lends itself to political critique.

First, how do you house train a dog in the White House? Who cleans the carpets, or takes the dog for frequent walks, or teaches the dog not to chew on the furniture? Assuming that any unplanned federal expenses only increase the national debt, how many bonds and at what interest rate do we have to sell to China to support the dog? All of that is a fiscal debate.

The dog is mostly black with only one or two white spots. There is a complete absence of any brown or yellow spots. Should that be turned into a racial debate?

My wife tells me that the Kennedy family gave the dog to the president’s family. Is that influence peddling and should the president have accepted the gift? After all, we know how much Sen. Kennedy wants health-care reform to pass.

I assume the dog eats dog food and perhaps some table scraps. How much carbon energy was used to prepare the dog’s food? Perhaps he should only be fed “green” food. Do dogs like spinach? That’s an energy debate.

And then there is the possibility of a reproductive health debate. Should the dog be neutered or spayed? Is that unfair to the potential new puppies?

But then again, the presidency is a terribly difficult job. Maybe we should forget about the dog and let the First Family enjoy some quality time with the new pet. After all, the rest of Washington is going to the dogs, so why not let the White House join in?

Anson Burlingame

Joplin



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

SEEKING MICROSOFT SYSTEMS ANALYST
Seeking Microsoft Systems Analyst. Candidate will assist with presales consulting, primary installation and support of W...>MORE

MEMBER SERVICES ASSOCIATES
The Freeman Southwest Family YMCA in Neosho, MO has two openings for
Member Services Associates.
These part-t
...>MORE

ATTENTION OWNER OPERATORS
we are now leasing on trucks. Call Susan at 888-379-9432 ext 102 for details. ...>MORE

SERVICE COORDINATOR
SERVICE COORDINATOR, excellent career opportunity! Fulltime positions available providing case management services and a...>MORE

OFFICE PERSON NEEDED

Some experience. Apply in person: Coss Painting, 712 Willard, Joplin.
...>MORE

CREDIT ANALYST/LOAN REVIEW
Credit ANALYST/LOAN REVIEW Commercial banking experience required. Send resumes to 3223 Main.Joplin 64804...>MORE

ARE YOU AN ACTIVE RETIREE?
Do you enjoy caring for others? Caring people needed to help the elderly in their homes. No experience necessary, traini...>MORE

COUNTER HELP
part time. Apply Comet Cleaners, 2401 E. 32nd, Joplin....>MORE

HAIR STYLIST
for Carthage salon.
417-388-2074.
...>MORE

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1999 DODGE NEON
5 speed, air, 92,000 miles. 417-529-4420 or 417-781-8907....>MORE

2001 FORD WINDSTAR
Super sharp, loaded, cold air front and rear, extra clean, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE

2005 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
LS, 4X4, 80,000 miles, priced to sell, $9,000 or best offer. 417-529-1957....>MORE

1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2 door, spoiler, automatic, cold air, CD, extra nice, $2400. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE

1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE

2000 Freightliner
$20,000 Century Classic, 745,943 miles; 1998 Freightliner $15,000, 400,888 miles; 1996 Volvo $25,000, 1,167,593 miles 1 ...>MORE

TOYOTA, 2009 CAMRY LE,
excellent conditon, black/tan, 29,500 miles, bought from Fletcher, warranty, $18,900. 417-793-1613...>MORE

1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY
127,000 miles, nice and clean, $3420. 529-2207....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

916 OREGON
OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM , CARTERVILLE. 3 br, 2 1/2 ba REDUCED! 417-439-5010....>MORE

BY OWNER REDUCED PRICE!
3 br, 2 ba, 1840 sq. ft., remodeled, all new interior, new roof, $79,900. 436 N. Wall, Joplin. 240-432-8336....>MORE

3 BR, 1 BA, 827 S. PICHER
central heat/air, refrigerator, stove $500/$500. 437-6365....>MORE

FURNISHED 3 BR
2 ba, 1750 sq. ft. vaulted ceilings, located in S. Joplin, near Shoal Creek, $97,500. Usa Real Estate 417-781-1233....>MORE

3 BR, 2 BA, FIREPLACE
2 car attached, corner lot. Royal Heights area. $103,500. 417-434-0502 or 417-673-5584....>MORE

819 A STREET
Charming 2 story, 2 bedroom home with a lot of character. Hardwood floors, huge screened porch, central heat and air, co...>MORE

2 BR CENTRAL HEAT/AIR,
gar, $475/$300 appliances 4117 S Pennsylvania 417-389-6737...>MORE

1617 JEFFERSON CIRCLE
3 BR, 2 ba, gar, fence, updated electric $63,000. 629-6135...>MORE

GROVE, GRAND LAKE, OK.

Beautiful 2-story 2-kitchen Lake Home with Million $$$ lakefront. Stunning Commercial Building for restaurant or o
...>MORE

2 BR, 2 BA
trash/sewer provided. Quiet park. No Pets. $375/250. 417-673-7437....>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE

2 CREMATION NICHES
2 CREMATION NICHES Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, moving must sell quick. Call Carolyn, (417)624-3017....>MORE

14 WEEK-10 WEEK OLD MORKIE
males, $200. Papillion females, $200. 417-548-2433....>MORE

KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE

WANENMACHER’S WORLD’S LARGEST
GUN SHOW -November 14 and 15. Tulsa Fairgrounds, Saturday, 8-6 p.m., Sunday 8-4 p.m. www.tulsaarmsshow.com....>MORE

BOW FLEX EXTREME HOME GYM

(417)438-9041
...>MORE

CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE

1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE

2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE

COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition