The picture of then-Senator, Joe Biden (with coffee pot in hand,) has been consistently posted along with a quote for many mornings within Kula's Morning Reaction series. It is what prompted the origin of this series to focus upon the transitions and daily activities of the other Executive Office holder: Vice President-Elect, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr.
Today's Menu Specials:
- Snuffy Cakes.
- Two Hushpuppies with Cornbread and Dressing.
- An Ivory Boat.
As always (just over the bump), I start you off with a quote from The Gentleman to mull over with your morning Joe.
13 OCTOBER 2008 --
Stated during an Obama-Biden rally held at an American Legion Hall in Rochester, New Hampshire:
"We measure progress in terms of whether you have a job, whether you can afford to provide adequate health care to your family."
-- Vice President-Elect, Joe Biden
::::: COCKTAILS :::::
Joe's Inn wasn't open last night due to heavy workloads at the hospital last evening. Nothing news-worthy, but busy just the same. Rather than attempt to quickly put some leftovers together and rush to open, it was the management's decision to just take the morning off and cut our losses.
Today we're open, offering all menu items at half-price and the coffee's free for all patrons! Plus, in prep for the upcoming interview with the Gentleman (to air this Sunday) all items come from subjects discussed during their conversation.
::::: APPETIZER :::::
A few early quotes from the next V.P. have been released as "teasers" by ABC News, in advance of his interview on This Week with George Snuffleupagus Stephanopoulos to air tomorrow morning.
Mr. Biden, speaking about the economy:
"The single most important thing we have to do as a new administration, to have -- to be able to have impact on all of the other things we want to do, from foreign policy to domestic policy, is we’ve got to begin to stem this bleeding here and begin to stop the loss of jobs in the creation of jobs."
Speaking more specifically about the Obama-Biden proposed Federal Stimulus Package.
"Every single person I've spoken to agrees with every major economist. There is going to be real significant investment, whether it’s $600 billion or more, or $700 billion, the clear notion is, it's a number no one thought about a year ago."
To me, this reads like more barking from the Transition Team. Mr. Biden can be the one flexing his muscle, maybe stirring up some support for getting a stimulus package written just before the end of the year -- or shortly into the new one. Barking, as he did during the campaign, could help loosen up some of the new folks within the Congress, but it's going to be difficult to get money out of people who are getting ready to become more pragmatic about letting out any more Federal dollars before the new administration starts working after 20 January.
The interview should be an interesting viewing, given the tidbits above and the subjects on which they reportedly discussed: Guantanamo, Cheney, the Clintons and his new puppy... speaking of which!
::::: MAIN COURSE :::::
Mr. Biden states that he'll be getting a SECOND puppy -- this time from a shelter. This comes to lightduring the ABC interview, and goes further in revealing that the decision was made to get a second dog (one that's privately bred and one rescued) because he's "always had two big dogs so they can have companionships."
He insisted this point after Mr. Stephanopoulous commented that getting a second dog was "very politically correct" -- possibly referring to the public admonishments reported in the press this week concerning the kennel where he had purchased his first puppy.
Now, I wrote Thursday that I would look with greater depth at the many, duplicitous reports on the Chester County Pennsylvania dog breeder, Wolf Den Kennels, and its being cited for "several violations" in the care of the animals and maintenance of the business's facilities.
Well, I found a link to the official Kennel Inspection undertaken on 10 December 2008 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement. Also, with the thanks of many stories and insights, including this great one on 12 December in The News Journal (which had more names and details than most others), I offer a relatively concise time line for the events leading up to the kennel-bred puppy's purchase and the immediate aftermath of the reporting.
Time line of events:
- In early December, contact is made between a New Castle County canine cop, Cpl. Mark Tobin. Cpl. Tobin was hired by Mr. Biden to utilize his business, K9 Camp Dog Obedience School, to train a dog after acting as liaison to research and locate an even-tempered, German Shepherd puppy that Mr. Biden would ultimately purchase. The choice of the kennel was reportedly based on its proximity to Mr. Biden's Wilmington, Delaware home and after Clp. Tobin discussed the Biden's requirements with the kennel owner, Linda Brown. Three puppies are set aside for potential viewing.
- Mr. Biden calls the kennel and asks to come in the morning to pick up a puppy. A clean-up of the kennel and grounds takes place the afternoon and evening before Mr. Biden's visit.
- During the morning of Friday the 5th, Saturday the 6th or Sunday 7th of December (all reports state "last weekend" and I could not discover a specific date the visit took place), Cpl. Tobin chooses the pup for Mr. Biden, has a photo-op at the kennel and now awaits the puppy's training to be completed in six weeks.
- On 10 December 2008, Wolf Dog Kennels is inspected and receives 2 citations and 5 written warnings for violations involving poor maintenance & ventilation, sanitation issues resulting from poor housekeeping, and several issues involving poor record-keeping including a lack of bills of sale and rabies vaccination records. The report is made public within 24 hours.
- On 11 December, the office of the Vice President-elect releases the information on the puppy's purchase to the press for reporting.
- The news story sparks immediate interest in learning all it can about the puppy, breeder, the business and the background of everything and everyone involved. This leads to learning that on the 10th of December the State reported the violations and citations. Meta ensues.
- Many bloggers, reporters and organizations (the ASPCA & PETA included) go on offense by reporting the kennel's citations and making connections with Mr. Biden's views on animal rights. In one example, PETA's online report links to a short video about "puppy farms", setting off smears and attacks that the kennel is, itself, such a facility.
No good deed goes unpunished. I don't know if the place is a puppy farm or not, to be honest. One thing I know is that the inspection took place after Mr. Biden had already gotten the dog and wasn't looking at the place himself (he left that to Cpl. Tobin and I don't know if he visited the place himself or not) Also, I'm not looking to make excuses for anyone involved in this debacle. Those looking to administer blame or shame on Mr. Biden for going to this particular kennel were actively seeking any reason to either 1. Degrade him; or, 2. Raise awareness to the depravity of "puppy farming". The report itself is fairly disheartening though. I’m not exactly one to necessarily suggest what the V.P.-elect should do, but hopefully the money he spent in getting this pup will go to paying the fines and improving the kennel’s condition.
As far as I could tell, Mr. Biden just wanted a German Shepherd pup and got a can of worm to go with it. In my view, everyone that's criticizing this choice of a bred dog versus a sheltered one need to offer something more than just ridicule of the choice -- because that's been made already. Would you have Joe renege on the purchase/adoption? What would become of the puppy then, I ask?
Now, do I think Mr. Biden's getting a second dog to make up for the news on the kennel? You betcha. Does it really matter? No. To me, the argument of kennels versus shelters is moot because it doesn't address the Barker adage: Help control the pet population - have your pets spayed or neutered.
What I feel best about is that now there will be two dogs coming to Number One Observation Circle; and that's a change that we've all needed to see for eight years.
::::: DESSERT :::::
Something simple to make you smile.
::::: THE CHECK ::::::
Thank you for patronage here at Joe's Inn!
Tomorrow will be a brunch menu, offered mid-day. I think I'll keep shut about the subject until then, just to keep you coming back for seconds. :D
See you next time.