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
Opinion
Voices: Serious pondering
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Millions of dollars in donations have poured in from around the world since the May 22, 2011, tornado. Those donations represent money from lemonade stands, charity auctions, corporate gifts and celebrity checks, just to name a few. In fact, one year later donations continue to come to Joplin.
-
Beth Meeker, guest columnist: Same-sex marriage battle a quest for equal rights
I would like to take a moment to reply to guest columnist Anson Burlingame’s, “The Marriage Debate” (Globe, May 13).
-
Sunday Forum: 2012 graduation speakers key on tornado, mall school and president’s visit
Editor’s note: In addition to speeches by President Barack Obama and Gov. Jay Nixon, Joplin High School’s top students addressed graduates, faculty, parents and other guests packed into the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus. Following are the text of those speeches.
-
Geoff Caldwell, guest columnist: Pack mentality takes truth as a casualty
President Obama’s Joplin graduation speech Monday showed that while there’s the political “right,” there’s also a very active “rabid” political right.
-
Your View: ‘Study’ can mean anything
A few evenings ago, I watched a television program on the science of marriage.
-
Our View: Support for museum
How can you tell the story of Joplin without the accounts of its mining history?
-
Our View: Finding middle ground
The G-8 summit held last week in Camp David ended as expected.
-
Anson Burlingame, guest columnist: Class of 2012 upholds character, hope
My oldest granddaughter was part of the class of 2012 from Joplin High School, and I attended the ceremony on Monday night.
-
Scott Charton, guest columnist: 'Deadline in Disaster' film a story about storytellers
Local newspapers are at their best when they help their communities confront, understand, endure and overcome shared challenges.
-
Our View: Make voting easiser
This year’s ballot will not include a proposed constitutional amendment that photo identification be required at the polls in Missouri. Good.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Our View: Victims should come first
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
