Governor Sarah has Difficulty Dining Out

 

by Pa Rock

Citizen Journalist

An evolutionary age ago in American politics, in June of 2018 during the early stages of Trump's first presidential term and back before he was totally insane and out of control, his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was having dinner at the Red Hen Restaurant in Lexington, Virginia, approximately 200 miles from Washington, DC.  When Trump's official mouthpiece and her husband entered the small farm-to-table restaurant  along with six or so other people in their group, she was quickly spotted by the chef who was not happy with the prospect of having to cook for Donald Trump's mouthpiece.

The chef telephoned the restaurant's co-owner to complain about the situation, and she quickly arrived on the scene.  The co-owner told Sanders that her restaurant upheld standards such as "honesty, and compassion, and cooperation," and she asked the press secretary to leave, which she and her husband immediately did.  The other guests in their party, who were already enjoying appetizers, were invited to stay, but they also left.  The appetizers were comped by the management.

I remember laughing about that incident after it made national news, but that was my bad.  Just because Donald Trump is a loudmouthed blowhard who routinely enjoys humiliating people, that does not give us reason to be like him, and in fact, we should always strive to be better than Trump.  Who wants to spend their lives being stuck in the bottom of the humanity barrel?

So now, almost eight full years later, I have a chance to redeem myself over that outburst of bad character back in the day.

Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the former presidential press secretary, is now back in her home state of Arkansas where she is serving in her first term as Governor, as a Republican, of course.  Sarah has not only upped her political status, but she is also eating better as well.  She has moved from greasy fried chicken to  the more ladylike and genteel croissants.  On March 13th the governor and two other "moms"  arrived at Little Rock's "The Croissanterie" restaurant for lunch, along with the governor's state highway patrol security detail.  Some staff and customers were not pleased at having to share their space with the extremist, right-wing governor, and complained to management.  The end result was that the governor and her party were hustled along and everyone's feathers were ruffled.

The restaurant's owners described the incident thusly:

"When Governor Sanders arrived unannounced, staff served her and her party without interruption.

As her security presence became more visible in the dining room, some employees and guests expressed discomfort.  After the party completed their meal, a member of the security detail was quietly asked to help conclude the visit in line with our standard 90-minute table policy.  

The request was not immediately received, and the party remained for an additional period of time before departing without incident once communication was established.

We want to be clear:  there was no disruption in the restaurant.  Claims that an employee made an inappropriate gesture are incorrect - it was a customer and the situation has been addressed.

This was not a decision made lightly.  We chose to prioritize the comfort of our staff and guests while continuing to provide service respectfully and without escalation."

In her recounting of the events, the governor was a tad more snappish:

"Last week I was having lunch at a restaurant with two other moms when the owner approached a member of the State Police Executive Protection Detail and said my presence made their employees feel threatened and told us to leave.  Arkansans are known for their warm hospitality, and while that restaurant certainly doesn't meet that standard, my administration will continue to focus on lifting Arkansans up, not tearing others down with discrimination and hate."

People, use some common sense and display a modicum of courtesy if your meal is disrupted by the appearance of a disgusting politician.  Instead of trying to control that person's meal, control your own.  Stand up, perhaps in a chair, and ask, in a loud and clear voice, for a to-go box, and then take your meal out to a nice park - or eat in your car.

And Sarah, don't let the snobs get you down.  Invest in a nice lunchbox and pack a lunch at home.  Many, many Arkansans do that every day.  If you try to eat in a place specializing in croissants, you are just begging be set upon by people who pretend they have never eaten fried chicken with their hands or enjoyed a tasty fried baloney sandwich.  Stay in your lane, our lane, it serves a better class of people.