Mitt Romney ties dog to roof of car for 12 hour road trip

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I don't think anyone is debating that it was a poor choice. Of course it was. But the idea that it is being dredged up now almost 30 YEARS later just because he is running for office, is crazy. The truth is we do not know the details, what sort of carrier he had to prevent wind issues, how secure it was, how shielded from the elements it was, how fast he was driving, how often he stopped to check on the dog, etc..... so guessing about the exact details of the ride, is silly. Animals are transported in open air vehicles ALL THE TIME. In farm country, you will see the way they put cows, sheep, etc... in the back of open vehicles for transport. This was not a little dog like our yorkies. It was very large. He said the dog got up there himself and liked it. Don't doubt it -- I have seen MANY DOGS that want to stick their heads out the window at all times when in a vehicle. They LIKE the sensation of the wind in their face. His container was "air tight" and I'm sure he did not mean completely so that he would suffocate, but rather "WIND-PROTECTED" so that the dog was not continually subjected to the air currents. My little Ben gets in his tiny kennel on his own in anticipation of "getting to go" so I have no doubt a large dog would excitedly get in their car-top carrier for a ride too. I think this is one of those cases where it probably sounds a lot worse to us than it actually was.

I still think it was wrong but I also don't think it means he was evil -- he just fell in to the same actions as many people at the time, and even many in the south today. I see dogs in the back of an OPEN pick up truck almost every day. That is much more reckless than being in a secure carrier on top of a car. And these good old boys LOVE their dogs. They just are making poor choices. He made a poor choice and admitted it. Better than trying to pretend to be perfect. He made a mistake that he would not make today. ME TOO (different mistakes but I've made plenty of my own).

If everyone here NEVER made a poor choice in the last 30 YEARS then jump on him with both feet. I know I do not want every poor decision I have made in the last 30 years paraded and dissected!

There is no way to defend the act, but to make it more than it is after all these years is not productive either.

Where does he admit to his mistake, not in this interview, Mitt Romney Admits Family Dog Rode on the Roof of His Car for 12-Hour Trip | Petside he laughs and says Shamus loved it up there on the roof and climbed up there regularly, he says it was a good ride and Shamus enjoyed himself. He might be admitting in recent interviews that it was a mistake, but not in earlier ones, I don't know, is he? I'm concerned because at first he wouldn’t admit it was a mistake. This is a dreadful trait in a leader. As I said earlier, those who can admit to making mistakes are much more likely to be able to stop and adjust their positions and correct their path. Someone who cannot admit to a mistake will not do this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's evil, and I throughly agree, we've all made mistakes; I'm saying that this is a dangerous trait to have in a world leader.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's evil, and I throughly agree, we've all made mistakes; I'm saying that this is a dangerous trait to have in a world leader.

All presidential candidates are evil!

[MI Yorkielover]

Originally Posted by FlDebra

I don't think anyone is debating that it was a poor choice. Of course it was. But the idea that it is being dredged up now almost 30 YEARS later just because he is running for office, is crazy. The truth is we do not know the details, what sort of carrier he had to prevent wind issues, how secure it was, how shielded from the elements it was, how fast he was driving, how often he stopped to check on the dog, etc..... so guessing about the exact details of the ride, is silly. Animals are transported in open air vehicles ALL THE TIME. In farm country, you will see the way they put cows, sheep, etc... in the back of open vehicles for transport. This was not a little dog like our yorkies. It was very large. He said the dog got up there himself and liked it. Don't doubt it -- I have seen MANY DOGS that want to stick their heads out the window at all times when in a vehicle. They LIKE the sensation of the wind in their face. His container was "air tight" and I'm sure he did not mean completely so that he would suffocate, but rather "WIND-PROTECTED" so that the dog was not continually subjected to the air currents. My little Ben gets in his tiny kennel on his own in anticipation of "getting to go" so I have no doubt a large dog would excitedly get in their car-top carrier for a ride too. I think this is one of those cases where it probably sounds a lot worse to us than it actually was.

I still think it was wrong but I also don't think it means he was evil -- he just fell in to the same actions as many people at the time, and even many in the south today. I see dogs in the back of an OPEN pick up truck almost every day. That is much more reckless than being in a secure carrier on top of a car. And these good old boys LOVE their dogs. They just are making poor choices. He made a poor choice and admitted it. Better than trying to pretend to be perfect. He made a mistake that he would not make today. ME TOO (different mistakes but I've made plenty of my own).

If everyone here NEVER made a poor choice in the last 30 YEARS then jump on him with both feet. I know I do not want every poor decision I have made in the last 30 years paraded and dissected!

There is no way to defend the act, but to make it more than it is after all these years is not productive either.

-I think you have said it very well. For the media to bring this up now is purely political. Like you, I believe anyone could find a bad choice made or mistake in judgement made by any political candidate from any party or any human being for that matter. History has shown this to be true. People learn from mistakes and that's what makes us better people. IMHO.

[megansmomma]

Back in 1983 someone else was also put onto the roof......of the visit cruiser.

National Lampoon's Vacation--Aunt Edna Passes -...

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Where does he admit to his mistake, not in this interview, Mitt Romney Admits Family Dog Rode on the Roof of His Car for 12-Hour Trip | Petside he laughs and says Shamus loved it up there on the roof and climbed up there regularly, he says it was a good ride and Shamus enjoyed himself. He might be admitting in recent interviews that it was a mistake, but not in earlier ones, I don't know, is he? I'm concerned because at first he wouldn’t admit it was a mistake. This is a dreadful trait in a leader. As I said earlier, those who can admit to making mistakes are much more likely to be able to stop and adjust their positions and correct their path. Someone who cannot admit to a mistake will not do this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's evil, and I throughly agree, we've all made mistakes; I'm saying that this is a dangerous trait to have in a world leader.

I thoroughly agree!

I don't expect perfection in a political person (or any person...), but I can't respect one that doesn't admit a wrongdoing...
ie: this is what I did, it was wrong. I didn't realize it at the time, I wouldn't do it again with the knowledge I know have and here is why.....

but minimizing it and laughing it off, shows no accountability and a total lack of respect for animal welfare.

[ArmaniMan]

Since some people here are only able to be sarcastic- I never said it was the dark ages- but yes, as a whole animals were viewed differently even 20 years ago. You can tell me personal anecdotes about YOUR pets but that doesn't mean it changes the idea that AS A WHOLE animals were treated differently. I know people who fed their dogs only scraps or left overs from their meals, people who let their dogs out into unfenced yards, people who didn't take their dogs to the vet at all. That doesn't mean these same people can't own animals now or aren't extremely bright, qualified people.

I am sure we can find a story in ANYONE's background that would make us shudder.

Now feel free to respond with immature, sarcastic, thoughtless comments.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Since some people here are only able to be sarcastic- I never said it was the dark ages- but yes, as a whole animals were viewed differently even 20 years ago. You can tell me personal anecdotes about YOUR pets but that doesn't mean it changes the idea that AS A WHOLE animals were treated differently. I know people who fed their dogs only scraps or left overs from their meals, people who let their dogs out into unfenced yards, people who didn't take their dogs to the vet at all. That doesn't mean these same people can't own animals now or aren't extremely bright, qualified people.

I am sure we can find a story in ANYONE's background that would make us shudder.

Now feel free to respond with immature, sarcastic, thoughtless comments.

So if we don't agree - our comments are 'immature, sarcastic, and thoughtless'?

I really didn't see anything that rose to that level of indignation.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one. My parents spent a ton of money trying to heal a bone infection in my lab's paw and they weren't idiotic enough to try a stunt such as Mr. Romney did.

Again, IMO, an astounding lack of judgement on his part. He was not 8 years old; he wasn't a teen-ager; he was a grown father. And, I really don't think he feels bad about it today. If he does - it sure didn't show in the interview.

I really don't think any of are going to change the minds of any other though; on this one. We all seem pretty entrenched in our positions.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by Bitsy

I completely agree with both of you.
For the record, I'm about as Republican as you can get. In my opinion, this crosses all political lines. It's not about if you are left or right....it's about judgement then and now.

[gidget529]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Since some people here are only able to be sarcastic- I never said it was the dark ages- but yes, as a whole animals were viewed differently even 20 years ago. You can tell me personal anecdotes about YOUR pets but that doesn't mean it changes the idea that AS A WHOLE animals were treated differently. I know people who fed their dogs only scraps or left overs from their meals, people who let their dogs out into unfenced yards, people who didn't take their dogs to the vet at all. That doesn't mean these same people can't own animals now or aren't extremely bright, qualified people.

I am sure we can find a story in ANYONE's background that would make us shudder.

Now feel free to respond with immature, sarcastic, thoughtless comments.

I'm not sure if I am one of the "immature and sarcastic". I'm not sure why ppl resort to name-calling when someone does not agree w them.

I also am not sure where you are getting your information about how dogs were viewed by american society in the 1980's. I am not a fan of revisionist history.

I see on a day to day basis on this website posters stating they hit their dogs w newspapers, use electric collars on 5 lb dogs, terrify their dogs when they have a potty accident, post pics of puppymills that were exposed and shut down, breed 3 lb dogs and do not plan for medical expenses or probable C section. Does this mean ppl today do not know any better than this behavior as a whole? Do ppl today view their pets this way?

The same can be said of 20 years ago. I saw the same stories then. I see the same stories now. These do not describe a societal view as a whole.

As for some ppl come from an extremely rural, isolated area or lack the education to know this is wrong, Mr. Romney's father is a former governor of the great state of Michigan. He attended a prestigious private school, Cranbrook. He attained an MBA from Harvard School of Business and a law degree from Harvard School of Law. What's that old saying, "To him much is given, much is required."

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Since some people here are only able to be sarcastic- I never said it was the dark ages- but yes, as a whole animals were viewed differently even 20 years ago. You can tell me personal anecdotes about YOUR pets but that doesn't mean it changes the idea that AS A WHOLE animals were treated differently. I know people who fed their dogs only scraps or left overs from their meals, people who let their dogs out into unfenced yards, people who didn't take their dogs to the vet at all. That doesn't mean these same people can't own animals now or aren't extremely bright, qualified people.

I am sure we can find a story in ANYONE's background that would make us shudder.

Now feel free to respond with immature, sarcastic, thoughtless comments.

Sorry I was going for humor with the stone age comment and I failed. Didn’t mean to be sarcastic, and sorry if that was offensive. I don't know how old you are I just assumed you were young and weren't an adult at the time, so it easy to guess what the mood was like and I'm just saying that I don't think things have changed much in regards to dogs. People are more aware of puppymills now, but that's about it. You still see people who would rather put their dog to sleep than pay for the cost of setting a broken leg.

[chachi]

Honestly maybe peoples perceptions of pet ownership at that time were different. I Will tell you I told my Husband this story and he thinks we need to get a life outside of dogs if we think this story is of the magnitude that you would let it affect your vote. So other people out there that are not in the dog world may have different perceptions. Now saying that I hope everyone understands my Husband is about as dog loving as someone can get. He just doesnt let dog issues rule him. He thinks there are alot more important things people should be looking at canidates for

[chachi]

Another thing is if you look at every single person in this country under a microscope you would find something in their character flawed. Im not making excuses for Mitt but just trying to give a different perspective on this

[MI Yorkielover]

I have to agree with you and your DH on this Chachi and I too am about as dog lovin' as a person gets.

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

Since some people here are only able to be sarcastic- I never said it was the dark ages- but yes, as a whole animals were viewed differently even 20 years ago. You can tell me personal anecdotes about YOUR pets but that doesn't mean it changes the idea that AS A WHOLE animals were treated differently. I know people who fed their dogs only scraps or left overs from their meals, people who let their dogs out into unfenced yards, people who didn't take their dogs to the vet at all. That doesn't mean these same people can't own animals now or aren't extremely bright, qualified people.

I am sure we can find a story in ANYONE's background that would make us shudder.

Now feel free to respond with immature, sarcastic, thoughtless comments.

My attempt at humor is as always very immature but I do crack myself up. I don't like to argue politics I just threw my little Youtube into the mix since when I first heard about this story National Lampoon Vacation with Aunt Edna on the roof of the car was the first thing that came to my warped mind.

I totally agree with what I have in bold above. Many political careers have ended from mistakes or skeletons in politicians closets that are exposed and then used as ammunition toward the other candidates. If "you" are going to run for a political office you better be able to handle the heat.

[QuickSilver]

Well, let me say first that there are some acts that transcend time. If Mitt had, say, been a male prostitute in his twenties, that would still follow him around. Just sayin'.


The other thing that disturbs me about this story is that it's so... odd. Mitt driving around with dogs in the back of his pickup, not a great idea, but as has been said, lots of people do it. But NO ONE has said, yes, my family drove around with our dog on the roof, or our neighbors did it, or even, I've seen it a couple times on the highway.

I'd say what Vick did was far, far worse, but at the same time, I find it more understandable because he came from a background where dog fighting was commonplace (though Vick took it to an even more disturbing level). I have a hard time believing that a wealthy, educated man like Mitt simply didn't know any better.

I honestly don't know much about Mitt as a politician, but I'll admit I've seen some other stories that make me think that not only is he maybe indifferent to the suffering of others, but that there's something not quite right going on in his head.