It was about 40 years ago, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

But I still remember.

Ralph Nader was in town for a speaking appearance at the local college.

The celebrated consumer advocate had agreed to meet with representatives of the local media, such as it was. I think there were about half a dozen of us, including a student journalist or two.

For some reason, we gathered in the school's brand new domed stadium. At one point, Nader looked around and said, "Is your library this big?"

But the other thing I remember from that group interview is his answer to another reporter's question. Someone asked him if he ever ate hog dogs. The question, no doubt, had been prompted by Nader having written a less than charitable assessment of franks.

So his reply was not surprising.

"Hot dogs are garbage," he said. "Why would I eat garbage?"

Next question.

I sometimes think of that as Memorial Day approaches and the prospect of enjoying a hot dog or two presents itself.

I know not all hot dogs are the same. And, in 2016, it's possible to find brands that don't use scrapings from the slaughterhouse floor. Still, I can hear Ralph's voice, echoing across the decades.

I've had plenty of hog dogs since that interview back in the 1970s. But it's never been quite the same.

What's your hot dog policy?

 

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