Bulldogs for Kerry-Edwards

2004-11-04T21:44:00.001-05:00

PRANCING?
Not My Kind of Dog

What kind of dog prances?

2004-11-02T13:36:00.000-05:00

VOTE
Just Vote

~ Mildred

2004-11-01T16:14:00.002-05:00

HUH?
Fuzzy Math

Cats count? [See second item: "Counting masks and pets."]

Says who?

~ Mildred

2004-10-31T23:25:00.000-05:00

MORE BULLDOGS AGREE
Kerry Takes YDN Endorsement

Another group of bulldogs is backing Sen. John F. Kerry!

The editors of the Yale Daily News on Friday published an endorsement of the school's 1966 graduate:

[W]e strongly endorse John Kerry because we believe he has the ability to do what Bush has not: ask questions, build coalitions and consider different perspectives. Much has been made of the fact that whoever wins next Tuesday, a Yalie will occupy the Oval Office. Yet we see stark differences in how Bush and Kerry live up to the ideals of their alma mater. Yale prides itself on rewarding intellectual curiosity and fostering open debate. And though the White House is not a seminar room, we value a president's willingness to think critically about his beliefs and subject his proposals to scrutiny.

In Bush, we see a president who has been constrained by stubbornly refusing to admit his mistakes or entertain alternative ideas. But in these uncertain times, we need a president with the ability to be both strong and open-minded -- a president like John Kerry.

~ Mildred

2004-10-30T23:33:00.000-04:00

THE BULLDOG STANDARD
Presidential Appearance & Temperament

The American Kennel Club establishes, maintains, and publishes the breed standards by which all canines are judged in A.K.C. and A.K.C.-sponsored or affiliated shows and events.

Although I've never been in a dog show, I'm familiar with the bulldog standard. The A.K.C.'s promulgation primarily addresses physical attributes that translate poorly during anthromorphization, having little relevance to humans, let alone presidential candidates. This makes sense when you think about it. I mean, you wouldn't want a president who looks like me, would you? (Oh, wait, there was Winston Churchill some time ago. He was cool.) Two sections of the standard, however, are relevant: general appearance and temperament.

General Appearance: The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigor, and strength.

Temperament: The disposition should be equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), and demeanor should be pacific and dignified. These attributes should be countenanced by the expression and behavior.

I'll bet it's obvious to you now that my endorsement in the upcoming presidential election was based on my inbred inclination to judge the candidates using the same criteria I evaluate the bulldog boys in my neighborhood: It's clearly Sen. John F. Kerry over that nasty little lap dog with the Oedipal complex. (And it's plainly Sen. John Edwards over that snarling cur with the drooly lower lip.)

I know a real bulldog when I see one.

~ Mildred

2004-10-30T18:13:00.000-04:00

ATTACK DOGS?
I Can't Relate

It's getting ugly out there:

At 1199, a 250,000-member union local that is part of the Service Employees International Union, [get out the vote] volunteers have been officially given the title "heroes," and with good reason. Some have been attacked by dogs while canvassing, and in Florida, a few collapsed from dehydration from all the door-knocking in July and August.

There are dogs that attack? Excuse me if I can't relate. I don't even get out of bed when the doorbell rings.

In the same article there's this:

A stray bullet hit one 1199 member in the shoulder while he was registering voters in Philadelphia.

That news hits a little close to home. My home.

~ Mildred

2004-10-30T15:28:00.000-04:00

A.K.C. POLL PICKS KERRY'S GERMAN SHEPHERD
Bush Terrier to the Dog House

In the American Kennel Club's Presidential Dog Poll, Sen. John F. Kerry's German shepherd, Cym, easily topped the White House dog, a Scottish terrier named Barney. The Bay City (Mich.) Times reports:

In the poll, 51 percent said they preferred a German shepherd serve as First Dog, compared to 27 percent who preferred a Scottish terrier.

The rest of the poll's findings were pretty strange. I'll just drop them. My attention span is pretty short anyway.

~ Mildred

2004-10-30T15:21:00.000-04:00

KERRY LEADS IN CRITICAL POLL
The Big Dogs

The dogs are coming through for Kerry-Edwards in a big way. Unconfirmed Sources reports:

Unconfirmed sources report that the Gallup polling organization will release its latest nation wide poll of pets. The poll shows that among DLVs (Dogs Likely to Vote) John Kerry leads George W. Bush 60% to 24%, with 16% undecided. This poll is sure to be controversial because Gallup has refused to release its methodology. The Bush campaign is already calling the poll "nonsense" and "a load of bull pucky."

Great photo over there, by the way.

~ Mildred

2004-10-30T15:17:00.000-04:00

"STARVING DOGS"
Only in This Context, Please

I hate hearing about "starving dogs," but I'll make an exception in this case.

The Washington Post reports from Nevada:

He was an hour late. So when President Bill Clinton took the stage this afternoon at the Clark County Government Center amphitheater, the crowd acted like starving dogs presented with thick, juicy steak.

Works for me.

~ Mildred

2004-10-28T15:58:00.000-04:00

WHEN A CITY FAILS
Philadelphia and My Lost Brethren

I was told of two articles of interest in today's Philadelphia Daily News:

"Death Stories From PACCA's House of Horrors"

And:

"More Inhumane Treatment of Animals"

Both were written by my new hero: Stu Bykofsky.

I haven't read them. I won't read them. Because I can't read them. But you should.

~ Mildred

2004-10-28T11:50:00.000-04:00

MAMA STALLONE'S DOGS DON'T KNOW SQUAT
Perpretrating a Fraud on Humanity

From Mike Harden of the Columbus Dispatch ("Psychics Say They’re Feeling the Energy of Election Day") I learned Mama Stallone's dogs have predicted a Republican victory on November 2:

Jacqueline Stallone says the psychic dogs she keeps have predicted that George W. Bush will win the election next Tuesday by 15 percentage points.

Trust me, there's no such thing as a psychic dog. Mrs. Stallone is perpretrating a fraud on humanity. Apparently it's a family trait.

~ Mildred

2004-10-27T18:25:00.000-04:00

TWO YALIES
Only One Bulldog

Yes, I agree, or at least think, it's weird, but I'm not entirely displeased.

The presidential election this year pits one Yalie against another.

Normally this fact would be of no interest to me. I care little about the so-called Ivy League. It's merely an athletic conference, after all, one to which my attention gravitates only because my uncle, Uncle Chris, is a Harvard man, and because the University of Pennsylvania is just down the road. Princeton isn't far from Philadelphia either.

But as you may know, the mascot at Yale University is a bulldog.

So now I'm interested.

I need to select one bulldog or the other.

Easy choice. Not even close.

~ Mildred

2004-10-25T20:50:00.000-04:00

KERRY HAS HUMANE PAC ENDORSEMENT
Hunting and Puppy Mills

I know I'm a little late on this, but voters should be aware that Humane USA, a political action committee advocating strong animal protection laws, last week endorsed the presidential candidacy of Sen. John F. Kerry.

Humane USA said in the endorsement:

President George W. Bush has gone out of his way to attack animal advocates on his presidential campaign website! That’s right, in their bid for reelection to the White House, the Bush-Cheney 2004 team posted a report for hunters titled "John Kerry on Hunting," which attacked not only the Democratic nominee, but also the entire animal protection community!

Based solely on the positions that animal advocates take against the recreational shooting of animals, the President’s campaign took aim at groups that work on a broad range of animal issues –- from pet overpopulation to animal fighting to protecting habitat. He’s slamming two organizations that work to protect animals from cruelty, and he’s belittling his opponent for having a strong record on matters relating to the humane treatment of animals. [...]

In truth, we are disappointed that John Kerry is also a hunter, and that his campaign has pandered so much to hunting groups. We need to look toward a day when all politicians recognize that the animal-friendly vote is much more crucial to political success that the hunting lobby.

But in terms of public policy, if not in personal participation, John Kerry is the clear choice for people who care about animals. He has been a strong advocate and supporter of pro-animal legislation throughout his political career. He has regularly scored high ratings on the Humane Scorecard, most recently scoring 100+ during the 108th Congress.

More important, from my own perspective, Humane USA notes the importance of animal protection issues in the years ahead: "Next year, we expect the Congress to consider bills that would crack down on 'puppy mills' -- where dogs are housed in squalid, overcrowded conditions and bred relentlessly to supply the pet trade, even though there are thousands of healthy and adoptable animals at shelters."

I don't expect many congressional Republicans, let alone the Bush-Cheney administration, to take a strong lead on puppy-mill legislation. And that's just one reason this bulldog supports John F. Kerry for president.

~ Mildred

2004-10-25T17:26:00.000-04:00

MICHAEL MOORE SPEAKS WELL OF BUSH
Kind to Dogs

I just saw this in The Collegian, the student newspaper at Pennsylvania State University, in an article about the appearance there of filmmaker Michael Moore:

Moore did, however, have one positive comment about the current president.

"He's very good to his dogs," Moore said. "I'm sure he's a decent person to hang out with, but the stakes are high this year, and it's not about who you want to have a beer with."

I'm not sure that part about the dogs is true. How can we be sure?

~ Mildred

2004-10-25T09:53:00.000-04:00

DISPLEASED COUSINS
Recommended Web Site

Some of my cousins aren't pleased at the Bush campaign's latest antics.

Wolfpacks for Truth.

~ Mildred

2004-10-24T22:38:00.000-04:00

QUIP OF THE WEEK
Late-Night Laughs

"President Bush made a comment on his favorite painting in the White House. He said seeing that even dogs can come up with a straight flush is inspiring." -- David Letterman

~ Mildred

2004-10-24T22:35:00.000-04:00

CANDIDATES INGORE THE DOGS
At Their Peril

In "Bridging the Dog Food/Hot Dog Gap," by Lou Sessinger at PhillyBurbs.com, a catch-all site for several Philadelphia-area newspapers, we read:

The Main Line Animal Rescue in Wayne is trying to find homes for 40 beagle-mix dogs it acquired last July.

The dogs -- all 40 of them -- were living in a house in Voorhees, N.J. [...]

Does a person who keeps 40 dogs . . . really think he or she is providing a loving home for them?

These 40 dogs in question were in horrible shape, the president of the animal shelter said in a news account. [...] He called it the worst case of animal abuse he'd ever seen.

Americans love their pets. It's estimated that there are 60 million pet dogs in this country, and U.S. consumers spent $12.5 billion on dog food in 2003.

Interestingly, Americans that same year spent only $1.8 billion on hot dogs purchased in supermarkets, far less than they spent on dog food.

Well, maybe that's not so interesting. But it's interesting to me. It says something about us as a people. I'm not sure what, but the fact that a nation spends almost 10 times as much money on dog food as it does on hot dogs must mean something.

But you don't hear the presidential candidates talking about that. No, they just keep rattling on about terrorism and health care and the economy. [...]

And what about the morons who keep 40 dogs at home? What would Bush and Kerry do about them? [...]

[D]ogs are nice. They really are man's best friends. Well, maybe not everybody's best friend, but they're at least our good friends. And people shouldn't be mean to them, even if they're well-intentioned loonies for whom one or two canine friends just aren't enough.

Good question, one for which there unfortunately is no readily available answer. No matter. I know which candidate I'd prefer to spend time with: Sen. John F. Kerry.

~ Mildred

2004-10-24T22:21:00.000-04:00

DOGS LOVE THE JOHNS
Bay Area Canines Prefer Kerry-Edwards

A bark out to my friends in California!

Monique Beeler of the Alameda Times-Star today writes ("Partisan Politics are Everywhere, From Pet Stores to Internet Games"):

If Bay Area dogs could vote, paws down, they would elect Sen. John Kerry as our next president. At least according to Bobby Wise, owner of George pet stores in Berkeley and San Francisco. George's staff has had trouble recently keeping politically related pet paraphernalia, from President Bush squeak toys to pro-Kerry doggie bandanas, on shop shelves. [...]

Wise bases his canine election analysis on the lively sales of the bandanas. Each doggie necktie features two check-your-favorite-candidate voting boxes, one for Bush and one for Kerry. A pair of paw prints screened onto the fabric land decisively in the pro-Kerry box.

Smart dogs . . . and dog-owners.

~ Mildred

2004-10-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

WE'RE HERE
Get Into It

We're here, we're bulldogs, and we support John F. Kerry for president of the United States of America.

~ Mildred