Powering on MacBook without opening lid

So if I'm using my MacBook with an external monitor, keyboard and mouse, is there no way to turn it on without opening the lid? If not, seems like poor decide. Excuse me if this is a topic that's already been debated to death, but it's a new problem to me.

I believe there's an option in the Displays prefpanel
to wake or sleep the computer from the Apple DVI
display button. I tried it and it doesn't work
though.
I have a USB keyboard, and that works well. Uven if
you have a Bluetooth keyboard you can wake it up that
way.
Anothrt possibility is to unplug it which forces it
to sleep no matter what. Plugging it back in wakes it
up. Unfortunately, this means you are running on
batter in order to sleep.
I beleive the OP is trying to power on his notebook, not wake it from sleep
I have the same setup, a MacBook with an external keyboard and monitor.
If this is the case, then I am not aware of any other way of powering on, since the power button is concealed by the lid when closed.
If only there was a power button on the external keyboard

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