First Lady Offends Mudflats Mascot With Insensitive Remarks. “Totally Not Cool,” Thinks Brian.
26 02 2009Until now, Brian the Moose has felt nothing but love and admiration for the Obamas. Of course, his ungulate status, lack of opposible thumbs, and wild nature made it impossible for him to engage in activities like phone banking, and registering voters, he has nevertheless done his part to cheer and encourage Obama supporters throughout the election cycle by providing needed moments of revelry, and amusing antics.
And we know that he is no fan of Sarah Palin for many reasons, three of the most important of which are: chili, burgers, and stew.
While not nearly so offensive to our four-legged friend as the ”harvesting and consumption” of his kind, he nonetheless suffered a surprising and stinging insult recently at the hands of First Lady Michelle Obama. The insult came during an interview with CNN about the Obama’s family dog. The first family has chosen a Portuguese water dog to share the White House with them. The choice of breed came because of the dog’s medium size, good disposition, and the fact that the breed is hypo-allergenic, essential for their daughter, who suffers from allergies.
All that can be said is that this interview went horribly wrong. One can only be thankful that Mrs. Obama was not chosen to be the Secretary of State, and that Brian and his kind can’t vote or hold high office in other countries. Otherwise, the breach of diplomacy could have had far-reaching consequences.
The only thing left to pick is the name, and Mrs. Obama said she is not a fan of her daughters’ choices.
“There are names floating around and they’re bad,” Mrs. Obama said in the interview. “You listen and you go – like, I think, Frank was one of them. Frank! Moose was another one of them. Moose. I said, well, what if the dog isn’t a moose? Moose. I’m like, no, come on, let’s work with the names a little bit.”
Brian’s command of the English language is definitely lacking, but we can be assured he was not pleased. While Brian agreed that Frank was indeed a silly name for a dog, he found the first daughters’ choice of Moose to be thoughtful, endearing, and showing a certain refined maturity uncharacteristic of children that age. Their mother’s critique, however, fell resoundingly flat.
Brian did have a comment, using the universal language of non-verbal communication. He said, and I quote:
February 27th, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Now I’m a little confused, was not troopergate the reason for the investigation? was there more to it from the beginning?
and why the heck did it take so long for this to come out? when the report was finished so long ago? was this some little private deal that wasn’t supposed to come out?
does this have anything to do with Talis Colberg resigning?
more importantly, was else hasn’t he revealed?
Lawyers negotiating a settlement over state payments ? negotiating??? I thought this was an investigation??? for facts??? just facts…….
and what about all the “get over it, move on, that’s the past, investigations over, she was found innocent of ANY wrong doing…….
February 27th, 2009 at 10:57 AM
I LIKE the name FRANK…….
February 27th, 2009 at 11:09 AM
AKM, are you aware they are posting a link to this article/blog at ADN? In the Alaska newsreader section. Perhaps that is where the random trolls are coming from???
February 27th, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I don’t think that she said anything that offensive. That being said, we had a wire-haired dachshund name Moosie. Moose or Moosie are good names, in my opinion.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:22 AM
WakeUpAmericaNo Gravatar (11:19:56) :
I don’t think that she said anything that offensive. That being said, we had a wire-haired dachshund name Moosie. Moose or Moosie are good names, in my opinion.
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Oh no not AKM! Just that this is the second time I’ve seen it and we’ve been getting visits from “the voice” (that haunts ADN) and some TS wingnuts, lately…
February 27th, 2009 at 11:31 AM
OT
OT, but in the lighthearted vein presented by our own Brian-the-Moose, here’s a fun thing to see:
http://www.gardendesk.com/2009/02/political-statement-rare-on-garden-desk.html
It addresses just *how* do you know when you’ve truly reached “political success.” What is the ultimate honor that signifies you’ve attained the pinnacle? (just go read the thing – it’s for fun)
Nan
February 27th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
from HuffPo:
The Wingnut Revolution
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/the-wingnut-revolution_b_170361.html
After nearly three decades of Reaganomics in which the wealthiest two percent have grown exponentially wealthier while middle class wages have remained stagnant, a growing faction of super rich Americans is seriously pissed off — and their Wingnut Revolution is upon us.
Boy the Big babies are kicking and screaming! Wahhhhh! American tea party, led by no other than JTP
That’s rich…. 
Ok wingnuttery……
February 27th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
@ Lance the Boil
I read the article and only wish I was speechless.
“She’s noticed that community leaders and parents aren’t letting young people know about the “vast opportunities” for work in Alaska.”
Okay, *now* I’m speechless…
Nan
February 27th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Oh that made me laugh! Thank you so much!
Brian…don’t you worry honey…I’m sure if FLOTUS met you, she’d change her tune!
February 27th, 2009 at 1:09 PM
rotflmao!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Brian fan club on Facebook?
Pleeezzze?
February 27th, 2009 at 1:38 PM
Say No TO Palin In Politics(10:33:14) :
Now I’m a little confused, was not troopergate the reason for the investigation? was there more to it from the beginning?
———
Troopergate was separate; a separate complaint. The Board just asked the same investigator to look at both complaints.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
My theory is that Michelle thought the girls said “Moose,” when they really meant “Mousse,” a chocolate mousse (girl’s best friend), that rather resembles the dark brown curly coat of a Portuguese waterdog.
Though this interpretation might be a disappointment to Brian, it might at least soften the controversy. Even so, I have hope the first lady will have a change of heart, and see what a sweet name it is.
February 27th, 2009 at 1:55 PM
the problem child (an aunt, also) (09:20:59) :
Why were only 40 claims examined? I’m betting that Pet went through about that many, and said to himself, “We’ve got a problem here, and I don’t want to find more. Better give that gov a good talking to and explain the facts of life to her. If she won’t promise to pay back what I have already found, I’ll have no choice but to go through the rest.”
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There were other trips taken by her children at state expense that could have been challenged as inappropriate if the matter had not been resolved, Petumenos said. But he agreed not to pursue those.
from Google: Palin’s settlement doesn’t address tax issues
February 27th, 2009 at 4:05 PM
A “Moose” in the White House would be so cool. Stick to your guns, girls.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Absolutely no offense towards Brian, but why would the Obama’s want their dog named Moose. Afterall, it’s a wild animal associated with Alaska and your governor was the one who relentlessly called our President someone who pals around with terrorists. I wouldn’t touch “that one” with a 10 ft pole!
February 27th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
My Maine Coon Cat/ Siamese mix’s given name is Bilbo Baggins ( for the tufts of fur between his toes) but on occasion I call him Moose. That’s when he is pulling himself up to his most majestic height, while blocking the thorofare between rooms! He does that A LOT!
February 27th, 2009 at 4:25 PM
@Canadian Neighbour
we’re on the same wavelength…sorry I didn’t scroll up that high before commenting.
February 27th, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Now, now, Brian. I think you are getting all worked up over nothing.
Moose is not an appropriate name for the Obama’s future probably Portugeuse water dog. (Especially if it turns out to be a girl.)
How would you feel if someone had named you “Dog”? Or “Bunny”?, “Whale”? or “Turkey”?
I’m not sure what she has against Frank, except maybe that the dog is going to be a female. Or maybe she prefers something more poetically doglike. My parents prefer their dogs not have people names. I don’t like naming my animals after another animal.
I wouldn’t name my dog “Cougar” or my cat “Mustang”. I also wouldn’t name my dog “Max” (one of the most popular pet names along with “Bear”) or “Badminton” or even “Poopsie”.
(Frasier’s Eddie’s real name was “Moose” BTW. TV’s Wishbone’s real name was “Soccer”.)
I think animals name themselves. I tried naming one of my dogs Ramses, Geronimo or Attila. (I like warrior names so it strikes fear into my neighbors). He didn’t like any of them. He finally decided on Goliath. That’s what he answered to. My first dog was Caesar. My current dog is Ramses.
I wouldn’t take the rejection of Moose too hard. I expect those were just two examples among many bad names the girls are coming up with that just happened to jump to Michelle’s mind at the moment. “Poopsie” and “Fido” may also be among the rejected.
BTW I think Brian is a handsome name. I would never think of calling you…..”Bear”.
Hope you feel better.
March 1st, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I have a nine year old lab/mix who is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever had, and his name is………………FRANK.