My neighbor’s granddaughter rolled up the sidewalk on her Scooter, the family’s big white dog pacing her.
As they came back down the slope, the dog made a quick detour to give me a lick and get a rub behind the ears before running back to his charge.
A very friendly dog, last fall he hung out with me as I raked leaves. I easily taught him to sit pretty and smile when folks walked by on the sidewalk. Inevitably, children asked their parents if they could pet the big, smiling white dog.
All said “No!”
Luka, you see, is a young, lovable 65 pound Pitbull.
Now, I have met scores of pitties, including a number fostered and adopted by a family of good friends. All have been adorable, loving animals. They bond with their families, take special pride in watching over babies and small children, and, make friends easily. (Some also have an affinity for buffalo chicken dip but that’s another story.)
Alas, general perception regards Pitbulls as ferocious, unpredictable deadly weapons. “Never turn your back on a Pitbull” I’ve heard more than a few times.
Yes, a very few Pitbulls are degraded and tortured to turn them into fighters. Yet, even some so trained have been brought back to being good pets with patience and love.
In Missouri, Democrats increasingly get treated by most people like Pitbulls.
Though elected to the legislature, the Republican supermajority refuses Democrats’ cooperation and openly disdains them while they do their job. This is a GOP tradition. In the past, one Democrat in the House tried doing jumping jacks at his microphone in an unsuccessful attempt to get the Speaker’s attention. This past week the Republicans cut off debate because they feared the racist truth an elected, black St. Louis County representative had to share.
These attitudes towards Democrats don’t remain inside the Capitol. In most every part of this state – especially the rural and extra affluent suburban areas – the party of Truman and Obama stands for godless, murdering, stealing interlopers who, amazingly, still inflict tremendous harm despite not holding government power. (Democrats clandestinely run this “deep state” of bureaucratic operatives who terrorize good Americans.)
If you believe that, see me about some bridges I have on special this month.
As strange as it may seem, despite controlling all of Missouri state government, Republicans continue lies about Democrats.
Actually, it’s not that strange. This year’s crop of Republican legislators include members who want to censure your mail to prevent legal pharmaceuticals from coming into the state. Others want to use public money to pay for religious schools. Most want Missourians to give up their right to petition their government, and voters, for change. And, virtually all want to trade tax cuts for fewer public services (such as roads and schools) so that the rich can keep more of their money.
Republicans need an enemy to distract their supporters’ attention from the bad stuff they do. Their only option is always repeating that Democrats are not well meaning and intelligent. No, we are all dangerous Pitbulls.
Glenn Koenen
Photo by Makarand Sawant: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photo-of-pitbull-2208743/, edited for content