Photo credit: The White House
The big news from the White House on the first day of spring was that First Lady Michele Obama was planting an organic vegetable garden on the White House lawn that would provide fresh produce for the first family and visiting dignitaries as well as a fair number of homeless people at a nearby soup kitchen.
That news had barely been announced, however, when we also learned that beets would not be included in the presidential pea patch because President Barack Obama doesn't care for them.
According to the offical layout, the White House garden runs heavily to greens (spinach, chard, kale, collards and several varieties of lettuce), plus peas, broccoli, carrots, radishes, onions, shallots, berries and many different herbs. Beets aren't the only things missing from the garden plan. There are no tomatoes or cucumbers. No asparagus or sweet corn. And since beets are the big controversy, let's be sure to mention some of the other root vegetables missing from the presidential garden, including turnips, rutabegas and parsnips.
But the reason that the absence of beets in the White House garden is showing up in news stories and blogs from DC to San Diego, while the absence of tomatoes and turnips is ignored, is because the president says he doesn't really like beets.
The real question is why we the people care so much about what the president likes and dislikes? Is it just our endless fascination with celebrity and the people we turn into cultural icons, or is there something about the presidency that transcends the magazine covers and talk shows to transform the chief executive into a national role model? Maybe that depends on your politics, but one thing is certain: Any time the president expresses an opinion or a preference, it's news.
Comments
I don’t understand it either. I am going to eat what I eat. But like everything and everyone that carries a title in our society we like to to put them on a pedastal so that we can work really hard to push them off and then say “See, told ya”. It’s the American Way. LOL
I think it’s a wonderful idea, and it also sets a great example to the rest of America. My family grew up on a garden, which was a very affordable way to feed a family of 11.
Being a single Mom, I still love gardening. It is a wonderful heritage to hand down to our children and teaches many great life principles. Many of us have learned instant gratification which isn’t always a good thing; it teaches us to be selfish, self-centered, grouchy when we don’t get it now, not wanting to work to get anything, etc. Taking care of a garden teaches us that if we work hard and work together as a team, we will reap a bountiful harvest that can be shared with many people. We learn to plant, nourish, cultivate, that it takes patience and persistence. Lastly, it gives us great satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. A garden is a gift from God. A lot of kids don’t know where their vegetables come from or what a farm looks like. Many people in today’s society have so many luxuries and things to keep them occupied, such as videogames, etc. and don’t get out of the house very much at all, which adds to the obesity issues. They don’t want to get outside and certainly don’t want to work hard and get their hands dirty. However, it’s not their fault. We, parents, have encouraged them to use the tv as a babysitter while both parents work outside the home. Lastly, fresh garden vegetables have a taste like none other. The tomatoes in the grocery store have hardly any taste whatsoever, but bite into a nice, big, juicy tomatoe from a garden, and you’ll never want to go back to the store for not so fresh vegies.
Just a note that the reason you don’t see tomatoes and cukes are those are summer veggies and the layout specifically says it represents the spring garden. I imagine some of those early season greens will be replaced with some heat loving cukes, squash and maybe even melons once the danger of frost has passed.
Hey I think that was relly nice of you! zi loveto help the environment. I also hve an Environmentl Project! Where we have to pick a environmental issue!
Ops!SORRY Mrs.Obama about the missed spelled words.I was trying to say that you are really nice for what you are doing!Also I have an Environmental Project this month and I might even do a report about you helping the environment! That should be a new law !!!!!!!!!!! Beecause people are killing plants by littering and Putting trash in the oceans !!!!!!!!!!!! Please write me bck at my mothers e-mail address:carltonangela@ymail.com
Thanks
Sincerly yours, Alexus Monae’ Bradshaw