skip the menu

A childhood belief about politics

When I was 5 or 6, my family would frequently have hot dogs for dinner. I loved hot dogs, but I hated the outer "skin" of the hot dogs, so I would refuse to eat them until one of my parents peeled the skin off of them.

One day, my father told me that little boys who didn't eat the skins of their hot dogs would never grow up to be the president. I'm not sure I really wanted to be the president, but I was certainly offended by the idea, so I asked him how they would ever know I didn't eat my hot dog skin.

"The White House has cameras everywhere."

"Nuh uh."

"Yes they do." (pointing) "Look, there's one."

"Where?"

"You missed it. The president looks at the videos every evening and makes a list of who can't be the president because they didn't eat their hot dog skin. But if you start eating yours before you get too old, there's a good chance he'll take you off the list."

After that, I always ate the skin of my hot dogs.

— Chris Robison

others believed things like this

more about politics →