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The original BO -- Barack Obama -- may have ended his week on Martha's Vineyard, but the memories will be there forever. Especially with the image of the first dog emblazoned on t-shirts for sale across the island. The likeness isn't incredible, but who needs precision when you're the most famous dog in America?
The passing of Edward Kennedy is significant on many levels. Americans lose one of their most effective U.S. senators of all time, President Barack Obama loses a close family friend, and Bo Obama loses his Yenta. It was, after all, Ted Kennedy, who connected the pup with the first family when he heard they might be interested in a Portuguese Water Dog. An aficionado of the breed who had several himself, Kennedy helped make history on a very personal level.
Barack Obama and his entire clan, including first dog Bo, are spending the week on Martha's Vineyard. This community is used to visits from celebs of all sorts and even all-star politicians, but residents are hardly taking this vacationing family's presence in stride.
Among the items available for purchase in the area: Barack-o-Tacos, t-shirts that read "I can see Martha's Vineyard from my house!", President-i-ale (beer), and Obamaritas. Our favorite? The Bo Bar. Soap featuring the likeness of the Obamas' own Portuguese Water Dog. We're guessing it's not dog scented.
It's hard work being a national mascot. Every once in a while, First Dog Bo Obama takes a few minutes to recharge. But just because he's napping, it doesn't mean he isn't on the job. Bo wears his I love Obama leash to remind you exactly where his political affiliations lie. Or maybe he just wants you to know he's always ready for a walk.
America is torn apart, and it's not about health care
reform, the wars overseas, the Yankees or the Red Sox. Our nation is entrenched
in a hot debate over whether Michael Vick deserves a second chance. Here's
where your Obama Dog blogger stands on this important issue:
I watched Michael Vick's press conference Friday and I saw his interview on “60 Minutes.” I believe in second chances. But I also that believe Michael Vick had plenty of chances to do the right thing, and in each case, he failed.
I realize that Vick grew up exposed to dog fighting. It was exciting, it was part of the culture. Even cool. So maybe it’s too much to expect that at some point the light would go on and he’d realize these choices are not only wrong, they’re horrifically cruel. But with each new fight, each additional act of abuse or torture or killing, he chose to proceed.
Vick had another “second chance” – a chance to do the right
thing when he was indicted. But instead of coming clean and being honest about
the decisions he made, like a coward, lied to the judge and denied any
involvement.
Still, I was heartened by some of Vick’s statements in Sunday’s interview. He
solemnly declared his commitment to work with the Humane Society of the United
States, and to use his influence to prevent more cruelty than he’s inflicted.
I'm eager to see his follow-through.
A few of his statements, however, left me frustrated.
"I was disgusted, you know, because of what I let happen to those animals," he said. "I could've put a stop to it. I could've walked away from it. I could've shut the whole operation down."
First, Vick needs to acknowledge the degree to which he participated in these crimes. He didn’t just stand by and “let it happen”; he was not a spectator nor even a passive participant. He actively engaged in electrocution, drowning, and beating. He performed barbaric, unspeakable acts. He needs to fully take ownership of these actions – for himself and for the public.
Similarly, it’s unacceptable to refer to his crimes as a “mistake” or “unnecessary” or “pointless,” as he did at his press conference. Buying the wrong size battery is a mistake. An electric shaver is unnecessary. Putting jellybeans in your gas tank is pointless. Premeditated torture and killing are not comparable, and labeling them a “mistake” just adds to the perception he doesn’t understand the gravity of his actions.
When James Brown asked him when he realized he’d truly done wrong, he responded, "The first day I walked into prison and they slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decisions that I made…” He goes on to say, "What I did, being away from my family, letting so many people down, letting myself down, not being out on the football field, being in a prison bed, in a prison bunk, writing letters home. That wasn't my life. That wasn't the way that things were supposed to be.”
These statements convince me this is a man who’s realized
he’s done wrong; proof was that he’d suddenly lost everything – his freedom,
his fortune, and for a while, even his family. But I’m not anywhere near convinced
he understands why his acts were wrong. His remorse was about what he lost.
Michael, the wrongness is not about your squandered endorsements or your months on a
prison cot. Torturing and killing others is wrong.
Finally, I don't want to hear Vick claim he loves animals any more than he wants
to hear me say I’m a football fan. Admittedly, I couldn’t care less about the
game. But my point is, you don’t have to be an animal lover to know that it’s
not ok to harm them. Animals are not your thing, Michael. That’s fine – we all
have our own passions, our own interests. But don’t lie to me about yours and
then expect me to take your remorse seriously.
*****
This morning I watched MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” where I was more infuriated by what the commentators were expressing than by anything Michael Vick has said in the last few days.
One commentator declared, “They’re just dogs.” As if a dog
who’s been beaten senseless doesn’t feel pain. As if a dog who’s been ravaged
beyond recognition in the fighting ring doesn’t feel complete terror each
subsequent time he’s forced to go in and endure more hell. Are you saying such
acts are not that bad because they’re committed against dogs? Could you stand
to watch your pet experience intense prolonged suffering or die so violently?
Another guest said the reaction he got to his defense of
Vick was as if he’d been caught eating French Poodle fajitas. You don’t get it,
man. It’s about how you treat a sentient being when he’s alive -- whether you
allow him an existence free from incessant pain, hunger, and fear, and not what
you do with the body once he’s dead. Don’t get me wrong – I’m not advocating
dogs for dinner. I’m just pointing out that years of physical and mental
torture is indefensible.
The Obamas are preparing for a vacation on Martha's Vineyard later this month, as are the locals. A hat depicting Bo -- and marking the visit of the First Family -- is just one of the items for sale. Michelle and the girls will arrive first; the Pres, a week later. As for if and when the Portuguese Water Dog will show up, no one's barked a word.
What do you get the dog that has everything? And where the heck do you get it? If you're Bo Obama, it's a non-spill water bowl made especially for car travel -- and you order it from across the pond. Natalie Ellis, a British entrepreneur makes the standard-issue bowl for pets in the U.K., but for Bo, she designed a special vessel. It looks like a mini White House and features a prominently displayed American flag. First family road trips will never be the same, but don't expect to see Bo behind the wheel. It's still not safe to drink and drive.
In case you had any doubt, Bo Obama has arrived: The first dog has his own mailbox at the White House. However, according to an insider, the mailbox doesn't say "BO"... Rather, it says "DOG" (so as not to be confused with the president whose initials are BO?). No word as to whether the pup also receives faxes, nor how often he writes back to his fans. We do know that he likes to lick the stamps.
