Easter Cluster Bomb Hunt

Mrs. Laura Bush addresses South Lawn visitors to the 2007 White House Easter Egg Roll from the Truman Balcony Monday, April 9, 2007. "In Washington, we know spring has arrived when the White House lawn is filled with children for the Easter Egg Roll," said Mrs. Bush. "So thank each one of the children for coming. Thank you for bringing an adult with you." (White House photo by Shealah Craighead)

In spite of the weather being more befitting the Christmas season than springtime, the annual White House Easter Egg Roll went on as scheduled.


U.S. First Lady Laura Bush reads "Duck for President" at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington April 9, 2007. Some 18,000 tickets were distributed to the public this year for the annual event that began in 1878. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)

WASHINGTON -- Thousands of kids dressed for winter weather scrambled for eggs — Easter eggs, that is — at a White House ceremony dating back to the 19th century

The annual White House Easter Egg Roll, started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878, typically has been a rite of spring in Washington. But on Monday, it was afflicted by winter's parting bite — cold air and even colder grounds. Undaunted by any of this, the young guests sprang into action under the watchful eyes of their families, hostess Laura Bush and several Bush administration Cabinet secretaries.

"In Washington, we know spring has arrived when the White House lawn is filled with children for the Easter Egg Roll, one of the happiest traditions here at the White House," the first lady said.

Did you think this White House event for children, "one of the happiest traditions," could take place without someone exploiting it?

Last year, the event was targeted as by gay activists.

This year, the bombing of children was on the political agenda.

Across from the White House, meanwhile, a handful of activists at Lafayette Park hunted for brightly colored tennis balls in an alternative "Easter cluster bomb hunt," intended to dramatize the fact that many areas of the globe, such as South Lebanon, are not safe for children because of persistent fighting and unexploded munitions.

"What we're really trying to get across is that all children should be able to have fun like this and not be worried about getting blown up," said Brian Hennessey, from the Vineeta Foundation, one of the organizers.

Do a handful of activists even warrant a mention in this report on the Egg Roll?

Over 18,000 tickets were distributed for the White House event. I'm sure that the vast majority of the children and parents in attendance didn't catch a glimpse of the "Easter cluster bomb hunt."

That's a good thing.

Why politicize such a happy event?


Andy Thomas, 6, from Annandale, Va., rolls an Easter egg during the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, April 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)