Political Paws

My fellow barkers Jake and Just Harry posted this link and I just had to re-post it (though you should go read their blog, too! They are wise wires!): Kennedy's Dogs Will Be Missed on the Hill.

Here's a sample:

With the exception of the Senate floor, there were few places Splash, Sunny and Cappy didn’t have access to, including committee hearings and, once, even the Oval Office. It was a rare day when the Massachusetts lawmaker wasn’t shadowed by at least one of the pooches, whether Kennedy’s schedule brought him an office full of visitors or a committee bill markup.

A powerful man with a booming voice and a formidable family legacy, Kennedy often used his dogs to break the ice with Republican lawmakers, to relax nervous visitors and to put political personalities to the sniff test.

...But Kennedy's dogs weren’t saints either. Like a parent of spoiled children, the senator was loving but a poor disciplinarian.

Splash has been known to bark impatiently during long meetings. The dog once sent White House staffers into a frenzy when the pooch began barking in the Oval Office. Kennedy and his pets were at the White House waiting for the start of a religious freedom bill signing ceremony with President Clinton.

As you may know, because of MA law they cannot hold a special election to fill the seat until January. Rather than depriving the good people of MA of representation, the solution seems obvious to me...let the Porties govern! I have no doubt that they will draft legislation in their owner's honor that will guarantee health care for evert American and a tennis ball in every (dog) mouth!

Dogs on Vacation

It's hard being Top Dog (or the Body Double for the Top Dog. Though the Secret Service doesn't like me to talk about it.)

All right, Republicans in the Senate, the Big Dog is back in town. Quit yet fear mongering or I'll put YOU on this awesome leash! But it will be a short leash.

Remembering

The dog at the Portuguese Water Blog (Ha! I love a good play on words) remember Ted as a compassionate guy who worked hard for their breed. I wanted to end this sad week with a happy photo of Ted and his dog, taking care of business! I'd like to think that this guy has a mischevious look in his eye not only because he's getting to play ball at the Capitol but because he left a little "present" for Chuck Grassley under his desk.

We miss ya already, Teddy!

Domestic Terrorism

This weekend in Nebraska, home of the great GranNE, Operation Rescue is staging a protest of Dr. LeRoy Carhart who is one of the last providers of late-term abortions and was a friend of Dr. George Tiller who was brutally murdered in his church in Wichita, KS this summer. Dr. Carhart, an OB/GYN, decided to open a full-time abortion clinic after abortion opponents set fire to his farm. His clinic has also been targeted by arsonists. With people assassinating doctors and carrying weapons to political rallies it is clear that some people believe that when they lose via the democratic process they have the right to enforce their ideas via violence. It is important to not be intimidated in the face of terrorism so women's groups are organizing counter-protests at the clinic. If anyone out there is in the area please support Dr. Carhart.

Here's a rare public interview with Dr. Carhart:

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I'd like to note Dr.Carhart's button reads "Trust Women." Operation Rescue is led by one guy who is feuding with another guy (Randall Terry) over who gets to use the name "Operation Rescue." Who do you think is really on the side of women?

Goodnight, Ted.

We lost a good friend. A friend to a lot of people less fortunate than himself, a friend to people who didn't have access to the halls of power and, of course, a friend to dogs.

Joe Biden on Ted Kennedy:



From Jake and Just Harry:

If only his death has some meaning in helping restore a degree of civility and working for the common good.

Give 'em hell, Barney.

I think Barney Frank might be part corgador.



Yes, lady, nothing smacks of Nazism than wanting everyone to have health care. So evil.

The Birth of Wally

Nefarious sources (fox "news") have suggested that I may not actually be qualified to be First Dog because I am not a Natural Born Citizen. They have asked me to produce my birth certificate. Here you go!



Get yours here!

Happy 48th Burpday, Mr. President!

I had prepared a saucy rendition of Happy Burpday Mr. President but my ma ape said it was so hot it would melt the internets.

I say everyone have yourself a slice of cake to celebrate, the commander in chief's chief commander (me, not Rahm Emanuel!) says so!

UPDATE! The Prez just showed up at the press briefing to wish Helen Thomas, who is turning 84 today, a happy birthday and give her cupcakes. Woo!



OK, I had to add this photo because it is just THE AWESOME.

The president seems to enjoy distributing cakey substances. I hope this is not his health care plan, though I would like a cupcake WITH my single-payer health care plan. Frosted with low-low copays and a creamy affordable prescription drug plan inside. In the meantime I will continue to eat cupcakes. For my health.