June 3, 2006

"Have a brewski together, have a hot dog together or whatever they want outdoors."

Said Jeb Bush, referring to you and your dog, after he signed some damned dog-lover pandering bill into law yesterday. He borrowed some politician's dog for the photo-op:



There, now, don't you love Jebby? Because he loves doggies.

Wait, I'm going to give Jeb a couple bonus points for the comic detail of suggesting "hot dog" as the food to eat with your dog. And I'm going to give him some additional bonus points because the law does not require restaurants to allow dogs. It empowers local government to permit restaurant owners to allow dogs in outdoor dining areas. The law is just loosening up the health code. If you don't like it, go to another restaurant. If you think it's disgustingly unhealthy, why are you not upset by all the dogs people have in their homes, running about the kitchen and the dining room? Finger-sucking babies crawl around on those floors!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

How political! He passses off a controversial issue to the counties while looking like a hero to the dog-obsessed.

As someone victimized for three years day and night by a neighbor's baying hounds, I've had enough of doggie supremacy and would not eat anywhere that permitted them.

Joan said...

You know in Europe, people bring their dogs to restaurants all the time -- aren't they supposed to be the ultra-civilized ones?

I guess we've come a far way from the days when the entire family + livestock all crowded into a poorly-insulated one-room shack.

SteveWe said...

Jeb only signed a bill passed by the Florida legislature. It would be unseemly if he vetoed it without a clear reason. After all, it's really the legislature that's really pandering to their constituents.

When I visited Europe for the first time, I was shocked to see dogs under restaurant tables. I gave it no thought very quickly.

But, I still have problems with flip-flopped feet and screaming kids here in the USA. For some reason, I don't encounter either situation overseas.

Ruth Anne Adams said...

What's not to love about Jebby?
It's for outdoor dining
It's voluntary
It will expire in 3 years if not further ratified

St. Francis would be proud of the Catholic, animal-loving Bush. Savvy politico.

Ann Althouse said...

Look at the photo again. Does Jeb love dogs? Do dogs love Jeb?

howzerdo said...

Count me among the dog-obsessed, and proud of it. Any time a politician "panders" to me by advocating for animals, it raises him or her in my esteem. And when they do something that can be perceived as hostile to animals, I think a lot less of them. I don't care very much about bringing my dogs to restaurants (though we often go to soft ice cream places in the summer), I am much more concerned about cruelty laws.

But if disgusting behavior is the issue, I doubt you'll ever see a dog sitting at a table in a restaurant chatting on cell phone.

Palladian said...

Ugh, I HATE when people bring dogs into places, especially businesses. It's been one of my long-standing issues here in NYC, as people with dogs become bolder and bolder, bringing them into stores, supermarkets, restaurants, on the subway- places they're not supposed to bring them. It's almost a challenge to the business owner: go ahead, I dare you to complain about my dog. This has only gotten worse as "accessory dogs" have become more popular; They're often carried around like living purses. The problem I have with this is not only that it's unsanitary (dog saliva, for instance, is a great transmitter of worms. Think about that when you see Fifi licking someone's face!), but that there are many people, including myself, that are violently allergic to dogs.

I like dogs (from a safe distance), but I also think that people need to remember that they're, you know, dogs and not fashion accessories or children. If you're so emotionally needy and damaged that you can't leave Fifi at home when you go out to eat, then perhaps YOU should be banned from restaurants as an even more serious public saftey problem. This is "emotional support pets" and "bedscarves" and "compulsive snackers" all rolled into one fluffy, yapping, butt-sniffing package.

archshrk said...

I have mixed feelings about the "law". On the one hand, I don't have a problem with people being able to bring their dogs with them when they eat at a restaraunt with outdoor seating but at the same time I don't want to have to put up with someone else's dog bothering me while I eat. I guess it's subject to how behaved the animals are but not so much a health issue (except for the pooping)

As for Jebb's dog-loving photo op...
The photo could just be an akward moment while shifting the dog - but they do not look like good friends.

Derve Swanson said...

Nice red bow ...
Very Pebbles Flintstone...
Seems to match his tie.

You know, this could be cruelty to the animal's esteem. Forced red bows, that's how it starts... ("... I doubt you'll ever see a dog sitting at a table in a restaurant chatting on cell phone.)

AllenS said...

For Pete's sake! The bleepin' dog has a ribbon on it's head and is wearing clothes. We're doomed as a civilization!

Word verification: agnizjss

Meaning: It's probably the damned dog's name.

michael farris said...

"(A) dog from next door attacked and killed three chickens that were walking around the patio. My friend's daughter, who was with us, still talks about "the little chickee got killed.""

I love this story, god help me, but I love it.

Ann Althouse said...

Gerry: I'm very happy to confuse the partisans. I really don't like any politicians. I like to point out their antics and posturing, but I'm also somehow sympathetic that they have to do these things to stay in the game. And someone has to do the work of governing. I don't trust anyone who puts himself forward to do that, but I'm also relieved that some of the people who do it are not completely evil/corrupt. God knows, I don't want to do it.

Jennifer said...

Mark - You have a problem with breastfeeding at a table?

Anonymous said...

Speaking of dogs and cell phones...

http://www.petsmobility.com/

Beth said...

I agree with gerry; I can't see the pandering in this, with nothing on the table for Jeb at this moment. W pushing the same-sex marriage amendment with the 2006 elections coming up, now that's pandering.

Palladian said...

You know, Jeb Bush endorsing dogs at restaurants is just the first step down the Santorum slippery slope to equal marriage rights for dogs.

Beth said...

Palladian, now I can have my dog-lesbian wedding reception catered at a nice outdoor cafe.

Jennifer said...

Elizabeth - just don't invite any breeders.

Beth said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
hygate said...

I have no problems with dogs in restaurants, as long as they aren't wearing shorts.

Jennifer said...

Elizabeth - I hope you don't think I was being snarky. Just a lame attempt at humor.

Beth said...

Jennifer--snarky? No, I laughed at it! Breeders--dogs. Funny! Thanks for asking, though. Jeez, if we can't pun a bit, what's the point?