Brodie yaps about “baked into the cake”

Short and golden remarks…You hear this often in the written and oral press…”Is it baked in the cake?”…or “It’s bake into the cake.”
According to Urban Dictionary, “baked into the cake” refers to “a situation that is so involved and interwoven which is basically impossible to be fully extricated.” So in other words, there is so much controversy swirling on both sides of this presidential campaign…that both have left a “trail of cakes” so wide and long that Americans could gorge on these political party pastries until the elephants, donkeys and others come to vote…or not.

The key word here is “extricated”…meaning to release or to remove or to extract or to free…think of the issues and you decide what’s in that cake that’s going nowhere.

Golden outlook on Battle or Swing States

Let us get right to it.  I had to do some golden research regarding the meaning of “battle ground”  verses “swing” states or vice a versa in this winding down race for the office of POTUS.  Findings:  Battle or Swing…same, same.  These are purple states (blending red and blue results in purple) that represent the states where no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state’s electoral college votes.  Presently, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin are the purple beauties…

So, I prefer “swing” verses “battle”…who cares?!?..My golden self would favor swinging back and forth, pumping and enjoying the breeze…up until November 8th.  It’s just not in me to “battle”…

Everyone should show up and vote whether you live in a projected red, blue or purple state.

Golden Brodie recalls this sad week of politics

Looking back on the last several days of strange political twists and outlandish turns has brought me to a bespattered spot with both candidates.  Shocking and increasing dismay rolled over my golden coat as the mud-slinging increased…and I mean wet sloppy mud that once it dries…it’s there for a long time.  Trust me I know about mud and getting into trouble with the brown stuff.  Once I hit that unassuming mud puddle…it’s Katie bar the door…because I am into it up to my …and into my ears.  Yeah…it’s a thrill until I finally stop…and boy do I pay for loosing my mind. While I have learned from my mistakes…I still must be ever mindful about the ups and downs associated with mud…and live up to being a proud and responsible golden…I will happily counsel with both candidates, helping them develop their mindfulness…practicing healthy communication…ending their involvement with mud-slinging.

 

Brodie discusses the flip-flop

I listen to the news on a daily basis, paying particular attention to the presidential candidates… where they campaign…what they say…what their doctors say…what issues are beginning hammered on any given day…what is the mantra, the speak…who has their mojo working.  Lately, the speak dances steadily around “the flip-flop.”  Each candidate owns beaucoup (I’m practicing my french.) flip-flops, yet neither candidate acknowledges having flip-flops.  Well, allow me to tell you about my golden experience on this one.

When I was a young pup, learning my way…training, messing up…messing around…I had experiences with flip-flops.  My birth month is May, so being a golden pup my first summer posed many challenges.  Learning to hydrate… dealing with the summer heat…staying in the shade…keeping my mouth shut in deep water… waiting on and watching my people…avoiding hot car situations and keeping my self-destructive chewing at a minimum.  One of my biggest slip-ups involved the flip-flop.  I had this thing about chewing them up…screwing them up…tearing them up…and then hiding the leavings…very cheesy behavior that I had to over-come…and I’m not proud of this. Flip-flopping got me into big trouble…

So…these “want to be” POTUS candidates hopefully understand about what’s at stake when they make a reversal of their position, …when they volte-face (French practice again)…I’ll offer that it’s politics…it’s called blowing with the wind…going for the vote…working the polls…calling in the chit…  Alas, the flip-flop is here to stay…get over it…and continue listening carefully during these last 70 plus days until election day.

 

Brodie covers… “off-putting” Presidential Candidates

Some folks find Mr. T’s (R candidate) eating habits “a little more than off-putting.”  Examples of what he consumes are McDonald’s, overcooked steaks, bacon and over-well eggs, taco bowls and foods on sticks.  Other says that the Lady’s (D candidate) “sharp lecturing tone” is off-putting… so off-putting that folks who are open to her message…they can even tune out…missing her message due to her penetrating tone.  Let’s examine this.

Mr. T’s food choices are fine with me.  There is not one single food item on his list that I would turn down…and I’d for sure drag all of these dishes out of my kitchen trash can…but then I’m a golden.

The voice of the Lady…well, we should all strive to listen to each other.  Maybe…just perhaps…when becoming passionate about her topic… she can’t help but raise her voice to make a point.  Now…I will also offer that my trainer and my people find me more cooperative and responsive to an even tone that allows me to slow down, relax and listen…but then I’m a golden.

“Off-putting” is a weird combo of words.  The “off” I totally understand…but when teamed up with the “putting”…well…it’s just offensive to my golden sensibilities.

Brodie explains “Extreme Vetting”

Lots of noise out there about Mr. T and his latest quotable sound bite regarding “extreme vetting.”  What he has proposed has happened in the past…according to The Washington Post 8/16/16…”It has happened before: During the Cold War, there was ideological screening under the 1940 Alien Registration Act, designed to prevent the entry of communists, anarchists and others. Immigrants are currently required to know basic civics as part of a citizenship test, and Trump’s extreme vetting would require visa applicants’ affirmative agreement with those principles — though he wasn’t clear whether he would do this with a legislative change (which would be unassailable) or a unilateral executive action.”  So there are few details in this vetting…let me fill in the golden blanks.

Vetting is something that I do on a regular basis. My buddies go through the same.  When I was a growing up pup, I experienced “extreme vetting” until I grew to one year.  Then the older I got the less this happened…but never the less, my vetting now happens at least bi-annually and if I’m lucky that’s it.  Vetting keeps me healthy, keeps me from making other dogs ill and ensures that I continue to live a healthy and happy golden life.  There is a price to pay for this. I must have my shots updated and recorded. Then I can get my tag that says I have had certain tests and I can’t give rabies. I must have a fecal check so as not to spread nasty communicable diseases. Sitting on a scale is required…a gum & teeth check occurs.  I don’t complete any forms or exercise my brain or make any statements about neutering or no-kill shelters or puppy mills…I don’t have to know that the cardinal is my state bird or that the tiger swallowtail butterfly is my state’s insect… I do annually live up to the social norms associated with me…we comply…so I live legally as a licensed domesticated dog within the great Commonwealth of Virginia.  Interesting that each state has its rules and regulations to abide by regarding licensing dogs.  I heart VA.

So… my vetting keeps me and others safe and I’m legal…Can’t comment of Mr. T’s.

Brodie admits his increasing golden incertitude

Today became the “pay for play” topic by newspapers, Twitter, Facebook, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, BBC and the beat goes on..for the D Lady.  Today also became filled with reports of the Secret Service speaking about intentions to incite and encouragement of violence against the D presidential nominee…brought on by Mr. T.  Both sides strongly denied these accusations.  Time for some golden thoughts.

I have many play dates.  My humans arrange these fun times for me.  Some of these romps are impromptu, with neighbor dogs…sometimes I get to go to friends houses with fenced backyards and we dogs just run our guts out.  Other times, my people pay for my play…they arrange with my dog-sitters for me to play with other dogs…maybe dogs that I don’t know…but the humans set-up the romp based on our age, gender, habits and social skills…I have met some great dogs through “pay for play.”  I’m sure lucky that my caring humans have the money and the time to arrange these events.  I get that some dogs have no idea about these perks…they are lucky to get a safe walk and food.  My golden appreciative self wishes all dogs lived with my advantages…but I know that is only a dream in my dog mind.

In closing, I’m a golden who sees through lenses that are typically rosy and happy, so I can not even comment on this Mr. T stuff about encouraging violence…especially if intentional?!!  I can’t compare anything in my life that identifies with hurting others.  I’ll leave it…I know that works for me…when I have to leave it.

 

Brodie chews on the 3 ways to chase the Presidency

Who? Who is this person? Mr. Mc is a “well-funded independent candidate …that is going to at least try to get on 20-30 state presidential ballots,” according to The Washington Post, 8/9/16. “They say,” whoever “They are” Mr. Mc just might qualify for the coming presidential debates…big R money backing Mc.
Well, my golden self says bring it on Mr. Mc. Why not be a spoiler for Mr. T, why not give the fed-up R folks a candidate…even though Mc will sprint in the race as an Independent.  The D lady probably welcomes Mr. Mc… cause every vote for Mc is a vote bye-bye for Mr. T.  Remember Mr. J for the Libertarian Party?  The Green Party???…Do you recall my write-in…the Christmas Par-ty???Let’s look at this process.

There are three ways a person can become president of the USA…1) person gets nominated to represent a political party at a national nominating convention 2) a person runs as an independent, get tons & tons, heaps of signatures to get on the ballot and 3) be a write-in person..lots and loads and reams of paper work with 34 states accepting this process.  So…”let the games begin,”…”Katie don’t bar the door” and “Get on the bus, Gus”…”Be the ball”…Can’t wait to see the ballot on November 8th…might remind you of the confusion you’ve faced when ordering ice cream… so many flavors…and of course, you wanted three scoops, each one being different, in a cup and not a cone…and at that point you just go for chocolate or vanilla…in a cone…#done

 

 

Brodie Barks About Political Ducks in a Row

We’re nearing three months until Election Day for the President of the United States… November 8th…and what’s going on out there?… Both parties, if you read the newspapers and listen to the pundits…both parties face daily challenges, daily accusations, daily polls…daily mud-slinging…it’s the game…it’s the “who’s got their clear message out there and who’s got “their ducks in a row.”   Now just what does that mean???

The retriever in me knows about ducks, about their unpredictable flying patterns and just how they like to make patterns both in the air and on the ground.  I like ducks.  Our fine feathered friends are survivors…they stick together, they understand a formation & who has the strength to leader…cause a dumb duck becomes a dead duck.

So…getting your political ducks in a row means, get organized and understand what’s the next step…stay focused…don’t fly off…stay together…be clear on where you’re going and follow your leader…have a clear message…pounce when necessary…exude strength…offer sincere humility…and show undying devotion to our great nation and its safety and… remember what happens to dumb ducks.

Duck quote:  When under pressure, it is wise to behave like a duck. Keep calm and unruffled on the surface, but paddle like heck underneath. Anonymous

 

 

Brodie grabs the back story…what is socialism?

I’m mouthing and offering you some information regarding “what is socialism?” Yeah, I get confused with this…seems that others do as well.  So I did some research…
Webster’s defines socialism..”a way of organizing a society in which major industries are owned and controlled by the government rather than by individual people and companies.” Synonyms for a socialist government, according to Thesaurus.com are: collectivism, communism, Leninism, Marxism, with more options.  Antonyms for a socialist government are: capitalism and capitalist economy.  No bells and whistles, just definitions.

Now… I have been spending a great deal of my formative golden years becoming socialized.  It always sounds good to me and most of the time being socialized works…when all dogs get along…when all dogs get equal treatment…it works… but other times I feel pounced on…I feel I’m putting forth a greater effort…I feel intimated & don’t feel included… So, then I go back to my basic training to understand the fundamentals…Humans have a similar situation??? …in that socialism gives power to the government…and most of the time that can works?!?!?…

Seems that some humans and politicians (can be one in the same) don’t understand the definition of socialism, and until that epiphany arrives, expect divided playtimes…divided parties…confusion…

And…I’ll gladly provide you with my golden copy of Webster’s.