Obama, a puppy, and the press
April 14, 2009 9:07 am ET by Eric Boehlert
"Did Obama Break a Pledge to Adopt a Rescue Dog?" asks the ABC News headline. The news org's crack staff is all over the the case, digging out a three-word utterance Obama made seven months ago when he suggested the dog his daughters were going to get would be a "a rescue dog." (The Obama's new puppy, Bo, is not a rescue dog.)
But then ABC notes that five months ago, Obama seemed to back off that notion, therefore, "It would seem that the president didn't ever make a 'promise' or 'pledge' to adopt a shelter dog," according to ABC.
End of story? Not quite. ABC reports, "Animal rights activists are chagrined with his decision." But are they? We learn that "Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO Humane Society of the United States, issued a statement congratulating the Obamas for 'taking in a second-chance dog. Bo is a Portuguese water dog who was apparently returned by the family that originally purchased him.' " [Emphasis added.]
Where's the chagrin? ABC claims Pacelle was "was clearly disappointed" (ABC's words, not Pacelle's). Why? Here's the proof. In his statement, Pacelle note that families:
"like the Obamas, who are interested in a particular breed of animal or have special circumstances such as allergies in their household, can turn to their local animal shelter or breed rescue group. About one-quarter of all dogs in shelters are purebreds, many surrendered by their owners like the new First Dog."
Seems that if the Humane Society's CEO were "disappointed" and "chagrined" about the Obama puppy pick, he would make those statements himself and reporters wouldn't have to interpret those conclusions on their own, yes?
In fact, in a Hill article, Pacelle is quoted praising the first family:
"Americans can follow this positive example by visiting their local animal shelter or breed rescue group, and giving another dog or cat a second chance at a loving home."
UPDATE: The AP is also doing due diligence, devoting more than 1,000 words to unraveling the riddle of whether Obama kept his "campaign promise" regarding his new dog. The AP's all excited about "the twists and turns" of the Obama dog, which "make for the kind of intrigue that political junkies" often "delight in."
Behold your press corps at work.
What a waste of human space the AP is.
They cannot get the facts right, nor the depth, needed to cover the stimulus bill or the budget. They cannot cut through the BULL the right wing GOPers put out misleading about fake tax increases.
But they can dig deep into the origins of the puppy the Obamas were given by Ted Kennedy for their daughters.
I am embarrassed for our press corps.
It's got ZERO to do with National Policy and the Obama administration, absolutely ZERO... but nevertheless it's sad, and almost cruel, how many mutts who are scheduled to be destroyed today and everyday, just because we can't have them roaming the streets, and there's nobody who wants them as pets.
If I was getting a dog, that's where I'd go to get one: Death Row.
A dog's a dog: the only thing that truly separates them one from another, is their behavior... and if you go to the pound to get one, I'm pretty sure you can right away tell if the mutt's going to be a pleasant companion and even a protective guardian, or else just a snarling snapping threat to you and others.
Not to over-reach in the matter, but truly, isn't the preference for purebreed dogs a lot like an emphasis on ethnic heritage and race in Humans?
Isn't "breed" among dogs, the same thing as "race" among Humans?
I bet you the same people who fawn over and prefer purebreed dogs, might also be discovered to have a similar discretion or preference (even prejudice) among people too.
The MSM is so paranoid from being called librul biased that they over compensate by attempting to criticize and smear Obama over anything and everything. Pathetic.