Chris Matthews Thinks Michelle Obama Knows Her Place
By Ani on April 28, 2009 at 9:15 PM in Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, MSNBC, Michelle Obama
I would like to open this rant against the ever sexist blowhard Chris Matthews by sending a shout out and loving thank you to my husband — who would never behave in a disparaging way toward his partner, or toward any other woman for that matter. To my dear hubby, and all other men out there with the decency to respect the qualities that any forthright woman brings to the table, I applaud you. Keep on keeping on and maybe your good influence can somehow rub off, you should pardon the expression, on those more clueless among you! Ah, now to Mr. Matthews. In his latest drooling pronouncement, he intimates how Michelle Obama is the perfect first lady because among other things, wait for it…she knows her place! What place would that be, Mr. Matthews?
While his rhetoric in this attached video is far more subtle than usual, I believe his message is clear. He is portraying Michelle Obama as the anti-Hillary – someone who is staying away from policy and is “by choice,” according to him, assuming a more classically feminine background role of tilling her victory garden, in designer jeans, of course, and visiting with cabinet staff, federal employees and military families – a good will ambassador for her husband, as it were. He points out that Mrs. Obama is a very intelligent, educated woman who is “choosing” this background role for herself, rather than being more ambitious. This seems an odd contradiction for a woman who is always out in public making reference to the fact that she isn’t getting paid for her work as First Lady.
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There is nothing wrong with her behaving in a more docile fashion, of course, if it truly is her choice. Uh, this is a very outspoken woman and after her disastrous “for the first time in my life I am truly proud of my country” remarks,” I would venture to say her handlers started doing a lot of the choosing for her. Matthews compares her to Jackie O and says that it does not hurt that she is “stunning.” He also, as per usual manages a dig at the Clintons, saying they never understood the larger image they represented to the American public, but the Obama’s do. Yes, the $500,000 pizza party seemed to send a very healthy message indeed, Chris.
And judging by Mr. Matthews past Hardball performances and his book “Life’s A Campaign” in which he talks about “winning the girl of his dreams,” as if she were a cupie doll in the window, it is obvious that he revels in Michelle Obama’s behavior because it reflects the role he feels comfortable seeing an intelligent woman assume – one of quiet, steadfast support to her spouse, somewhere in the background. I hate to give the mouth breathing blowhard Matthews any oxygen but since his panel indicates the First Lady has 79% popularity thus far, many out there must agree with him.
Whether one likes Michelle Obama or not, there is no doubt she is an intelligent, outspoken, educated person who is being over-handled with these constant makeovers, full time make-up artist and the fashion plate image. The last photograph I saw of her was advertising her new “softer” eyebrows and huge false eyelashes. If you’ve ever tried wearing false eyelashes this size, it is not unlike trying to open and close your eyes with feather dusters attached to them. Okay. Whatever works for you and your style guru, Michelle.
After the vilification Hillary received in her campaign for the Presidency, and her “ambition,” perhaps President Obama’s staff got the message that they’d better keep Michelle under wraps as much as possible. Matthews’ panel seemed to be subtly indicating that after her early campaign booboos and sound bites, their senior staff was not going to allow another such mistake. Certainly they have done a wonderful job in protecting her from being vilified as Hillary was when she was First Lady. And what do they think is the best way to do it? Put an apron on her and let her play with garden implements. Is anyone buying this image? This is a successful working woman with two kids. A garden trowel? M’kay.
It just seems to me the White House is attempting to package her as a 50’s mom. There is something downright regressive about the image they wish to paint, relentlessly “softening” her for the American public. Even her rhetoric out in public is more soft spoken and yielding, even emotional.
But why does she require softening? That is the more important question. Chris seems to make issue of the fact that she is deferential enough not to pick a policy issue of her own and go after it. This is obviously a smart woman – why wouldn’t we want her to pick up and run with the ball of a cause near and dear to her heart. After all, during these terrible tough economic times, with two wars abroad, the President can use all the help he can get.
I wonder what your reaction is to this. What role do you think a First Lady should assume? Clearly she is not an elected official so I don’t expect her to necessarily push a policy, though she can be pushing a cause. I do worry however that she is being made to appear as submissive rather than an equal.
Upon Hillary Clinton’s appointment as Secretary of State, Matthews indicated that “her spirit seemed to be with Obama” and she has “sublimated her ego.” I see. He only feels comfortable with a woman when she is submissive to a man.
No wonder he finds Michelle’s new image so appealing
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By Sarah Palin (Release date: November 17. 2009)
They ARE!
My favorite quote from “The View” : “It’s fun to look pretty.” - MO
First, let me point out that Chris Matthews isn’t even qualified to take an EEG test.
As for Michelle “How can Hillary run the WH when she can’t even manage her own house?” Obama, I’m glad she’s not sticking her nose into any issues of importance. Let her experience being irrelevant. Let her try to be a fashion icon (gag!). Let her be the first First Lady to have - and need - a full-time make-up artist. History will remember how much she accomplishes, or how little.
Excellent comment! Completely agree, especially with the last line.
Does anyone in the media or the voting public truly believe that she has miraculously lost her hatred of whites, which she evidenced frequently, simply because she is now First Lady? How naive some people are. The habits of a lifetime don’t get overturned quickly, and she is no different.
And for Matthews to call her stunning is right up there with his ‘tingles’. Quite the arbiter of beauty and good taste!
Well, unfortunately,in case she hasn’t noticed, she isn’t pretty.
She is NOT pretty — in fact she is ugly — from the inside — she can’t keep the hate off of her face.
Thankfully, I don’t watch tv and I ignore the printed media with her ugly r@cist face — so I could care less what she does.
But she will open her damned mouth and insert her foot — because unless they keep her locked up and medicated, her ego will demand the attention.
I agree Northwest. As time goes on, and BO’s weaknesses cannot be covered up by a complicit media anymore and they actually go negative-Michelle will speak out. Michelle will definitely speak out, and you can’t bet your false eyelashes it won’t be a pretty sight.
Last fall’s favorite blog: http://michelleobamasuicidewatch.blogspot.com/
America is her personal hell.
The less I see of her, and her husband, the better.
Well, unfortunately, in case she hasn’t noticed, she isn’t pretty.
Inside or outside.
I guess Michele doesn’t have any plans to ever run for president.
What is totally unreported in the US is the fact that Michelle abruptly left early the Europe tour, skipping the last two days before the last leg in Turkey. Official reason: something to do with the girls.
And then she ditched the whole summit of the Americas at the very last minute. Did not board the plane. The whole arranged program of several days of visits, meetings with other first ladies and interviews with the international press had to be scraped with barely any advanced notice.
But the American press lips were sealed.
The French who went thru the same dance with Cecilia Sarkozy, are betting on an impending new first lady ala Bruni….
http://europumas.over-blog.com/article-30435779.html
Well, Eleanor Roosevelt or Hillary Clinton she ain’t. That’s for sure. But I think it’s tragic that she is allowing the media and her handlers to project this image of her as simply a fashion icon who is more concerned about the day-to-day droppings of Bo the dog.
MO needs to get out there and put her own stamp on being First Lady.
As far as Tingles - well, what do we expect?
Yes, agreed.
This is typical from the sexist pig.
Never give women an ounce of power or they might make you behave like a real man.
There are some creepy issues with that guy.
He is definitely uncertain of his manhood, judging from his knuckle-dragging opinions.
I don’t know how many of you have a vegetable garden but for those who do: I loved Michelle showing the garden to the children and telling them :This will feed the whole staff in the White House”.
Wow, that sounds like some sort of rejected dialogue from Gone with the Wind. I’m surprised she didn’t call them the hired help.
Fiddlee Dee! RolFl
I do have a garden every year, and my comment to you is WTF?
Yes, Ellen, that was nice, but that ain’t Michelle. That is some image agency trying to make the woman look like something she is not.
That garden may very well feed the whole WH staff, but that won’t happen. The WH kitchen staff is way too sophisticated for that! However, all sarcasm aside, I would love to have a garden. I would especially like it if it were tended by experts and producing excellent results. But I would never try to take credit for that!
I noticed the irony of Michelle Obama plying her hoe in the White House garden. Those nasty white folks making her work like a field hand.
This photo did not set off the hair-trigger RACIST gun of the Obots.
Michelle Obama hosts kitchen events where she talks about special vegetables looking like candy, making it easier for her to convince her kids to eat carrots. Madam Foodie, people are trying to put food on the table any which way they can.
Perhaps a more apt description of Michelle in her arugula patch (seeds for heirloom vegs cost over $250) is Marie Antoinette playing sherperdress.
I think we’ve had a lot of classy first ladies in our
time. LadyBird Johnson and her beautifying the national highways with wildflowers, Betty Ford, just
being her outspoken and controversial, but gutsy self.
I didn’t like Nancy Reagan much until seeing her after the
White House years on a PBS program with the other First Ladies.She seemed like a genuine and nice
person who really did love her husband.
I liked Laura Bush, quiet and dignified with her reading campaign and a natural beauty.
Hillary was the best of course. With getting into
trouble with her tea and cookies quote. Of course her speech in China was fantastic and memorable.
Meechelle, not particulary likeable, but they’re doing a fantastic public relations spin on her, with
every freakin magazine having her on the cover. These
fakey, “concern” for vets and children makes me want to barf. You know she just wants the $$$$$$ in life,
since she always complaining about not being “paid”
to be First Lady. I guess the “perks” of people waiting on you hand and foot aren’t sufficient for her.
She is being paid with the perks. Check on what the IRS has to say about “found” compensation. That’s where housing and/or board form part of the pay compensation. It’s taxable income. So Michelle is being paid, with taxpayer dollars. She just isn’t being taxed on it.
Since BO seems to be even more corrupt and sleazy than Tricky Dicky Nixon perhaps Meschelle could aspire to the role of Pat Nixon. Wonderfully submissive and self effacing.
I have no idea why Matthews is even employed… he is repulsive. Quite frankly he needs a good woman to slap him into shape..
Always worked for me!
LOL yes and mine….
mathews continued his vilification of hillary thruout the campaign. yet when someone was comparing hillary to sarah palin, mathews said “thats like comparing an igloo to the empire state building” i almost fell off my chair. why didnt he say that during the primaries?
‘Cause then we would have challenged his leg tingle!!!
Of course she is being packaged as a ‘50 woman. She is the first A-A First Lady. It makes sense to package her as bland as possible. What we get is a combination of Mimi Eisenhower and Jackie O.
As she is still getting slammed for her “proud of America” statement, why would she say anything or do anything remotely controversial? Much better to be a Stepford wife in blackface.
Also remember Hillary had only Chelsa in tow, a teenager, not two school aged children. As dad is a little busy the parenting does fall to Michelle. As the girls grow up and become more independent maybe Michelle may branch out more.
On the other hand Michelle may not be all that into politics. Many people of both sexes are just not into politics, I know this is shocking news to people who live and breath politics, especially the readers of NQ but many smart,informed,intelligent,creative people have zero interest in politics. Michelle Obama might just be one of those people, she allows her husband to be the politico in the family while she takes care of the more “important” things.
Only Chelsa in tow that sounds a little degrading… But my goodness what an awesome woman Chelsa turned out to be considering her mother was never there for her?
However is they not how Mechelles Mom got free board and lodgings in the WH to be available when needed for the 2 girls… Nothing like FREE LOADING..
Michelle’s mother does not get free room and board at the White House. Outside of the President’s immediate family, ie. wife and minor children, anyone living or visiting at the White House who is not a state guest is paid for by the President. Out of his money, not ours. So, Obummer has to pay a room rate for his mother-in-law, and for her groceries. He also has to pay for his groceries and the family’s. Only food for official entertainment is paid for by the tax payers.
Glad you reminded me of the house keeping costs….. overdrive comes easily these day’s especially when many always seem to want to knock the Clintons…..
I expect the Obama’s will be thrilled if Malia, and Sasha, turn out like Chelsea……
Raising children & having one child can actually can be harder than having 2…. a single child needs attention and as a result will automatically go to the parents, 2 children are able to go to each other so the pressure in some circumstances is a little easier for parents of more than one child!
are his weds. nite celeb parties where they serve $100 per lb steak, considered “official entertainment”? or is the tax payer saddled with this too?
James,
No one is suggesting that she be a politically involved person — but this 50’s wife working the garden routine feels phony. I think we all know that.
I just find it very unfortunate that the woman cannot be who she is. And you know what, I’m sure it is actually possible she has other things to contribute than the very ill-received statements she made last year.
We are talking of extremes here — this is an outspoken woman who walked around telling people they were not talking to each other and we live in a “mean country” and now she’s working the garden and wearing sweater sets and a flip with false eyelashes?
Surely, she can find a happy middle ground here where she can make a valued contribution, as many First Ladies have done, without being so handled and weakened. This also sends a message about the image of women in this country. No one is saying she needs to be a political operative (though she clealy was), but to paint her as this throwback to a retro Jackie O seems silly and disingenuous. Surely, this is not the real person.
You seem to know her s well Ani - how is that?? Maybe you could be a little less snarky with this frivolous post - you aren’t mature enough or ‘over’ your bitterness to even bother to look at these people beyond no quarter’s haters - you are hardly to be taken seriously for your superior knowledge of the President and his family.ADMIN: We tolerate a lot here, but taking all of your comments together, it’s impossible not to conclude that you are consumed by hate of his critics far more than positive emotions. You’re even racist to boot. Oh, and you’re banned.
You know something, Ellen, I was not denigrating whatsoever to the First Lady and you obviously did not take the time to read what I wrote. She obviously brings a lot more to the table than this gardening business which is press manipulation and nothing more.
No matter whom one supported and voted for, women did get kicked in the teeth last year, by virtue of the media and their misogynistic coverage, regardless of who won or lost. The phrase “you’ve come a long way baby” does matter when it comes to women. She does not need to have her image “softened” and if you were honest with yourself, you’d admit to this. Don’t come here to insult me. There is nothing frivolous in wanting women to be treated with equal respect.
I think the WH is being insulting to MO by constantly making her over and handling her — what they are intimating is there is something wrong with her the way she is. I do not think she needs handling or “softening.” I’d think you’d appreciate it — being a woman yourself — when someone else is standing up for a woman’s right to express herself rather than being muzzled.
There is nothing snarky here toward her.
I am pointing by “softening” her with all these makeovers and gardening pix it indicates to me that the WH thinks she is not ok the way she is and needs to be handled and manipulated. There is nothing frivolous about wanting women to be treated as equals and to be able to express themselves as they see fit, as responsible adults. If you don’t want to admit that this “new image” is just image management, fine. Matthews and the likes of J. Alter on Newsweek and many more seem to think this is a more acceptable image for women: seen and not heard.
Women are not frivolous. As a woman, I’d think you might care a little more about that. I’m surprised you would be so incensed that someone wants the First Lady to be able to really be herself. Odd.
I have to disagree. Michelle is a politician. Look at the campaigning she did!!
James, who are you kidding? M0 is up to her eyeballs in politics and loves it. She is a woman with a very narrow political agenda, though. After the color barriors, she loses interest. She knows nothing about women’s rights. She only knows about people of color rights.
Of course Chris Matthews is a misogynist, sexist blowhard stuck in permanent adolescence; this is not news. He is much like a broken clock, correct once a day mainly by accident.
Tweety is a misogynistic creep.
He must sell on some level, sad to say, must be why they keep him around. Many cretins and “dagwoods” probably get off on his commentary.
I often pinch myself, thinking, is this really 2009? It is like we haven’t evolved since the 50’s… let’s hope for a sea change in 2012, or sometime in my lifetime….
great post, keeps me aware….although i’d really rather not be some days.
The job approval rating for Chris Matthews has got to be in the single digits.
But looking at the numbers that were shown on the video of the popularity of presidents, I don’t recall the media at any time prior propping up a president and first lady as much as this group is propping up the Obamas. So one must wonder what the poll numbers might be if they weren’t promoting Michelle and Barack as they are. Bill Clinton and Hillary had just the opposite, they were constantly attacked by the media elite and yet seemed to have good poll numbers considering. So how weak would the Obamas numbers be if it weren’t for the soft treatment of the media?
Only a man with a weak ego [or whatever] would want a First Lady, ala 50s style. I don’t know if any of you have ever watched the series Madmen, depicting the advertising business during the late 50s-early 60s. This was my mother’s era, a time when she was absolutely miserable. As a kid a didn’t fully appreciate the sexism that was rampant, but watching the Madmen drama made me furious, and more understanding of my mother’s wild-eyed fury–the need to be pretty at all times, poised, able to perform during dinner parties, to know one’s place and always be a pleasant and entertaining [but not too entertaining] accoutrement to your mate. And for working women? The humiliation was as bad if not worse.
You really feel that you’re watching a bizarre period piece with the Madmen series, yet it was 50 years ago.
So, I’m very glad I did not see nor hear Chris Matthews’ recent comments. I would have been tempted to throw something.
Was he always this bad? Or has this last election enticed something to ooze out of these TV types.
Infuriating.
Of course, my other question is why would Michelle Obama, hardly a shrinking violet, allow herself to be “handled” in 2009.
The more things change, the more they . . .
Well, you get the drift.
Oh, amen to that Peggy Sue. I grew up in the 50s too, and was witness to the cultural and social pressures on women to live up to some idealized version men imposed on women–boxed into being all their men dreamed of, but never being able to live up to that idealized fantasy, and then being dumped for a younger, prettier version, after having denied their own feelings and dreams for decades.
Things are changing, no doubt, but we’re still fighting dinosaurs like Matthews, who lives in the macho world of the entitled, privileged male. Sigh.
I don’t like Obama [I distrust his over confidence and his ties to big finance and his consistent lies and his compulsion to be loved; I do not think it makes for a strong, ethical leader of integrity], and I’m not particularly impressed by Michelle O, either.
But I will say this–to be fair: I do believe that Barack Obama sees his wife as his equal in intellect and impact on their personal lives. So, I will commend him for that. I believe from what I have seen that Barack Obama readily acknowledges his wife as a full partner in their lives.
Also, to be fair, I do believe that both of them are loving, caring parents to their two daughters. I commend them as well for that.
As to the public relations campaign to make Michelle into a “fashion icon,” well, whatever floats yer boat, but I don’t follow fashion icons, so I’m not interested in any of it.
I’m more interested in seeing Michelle Obama be an advocate for some important issue, or constituency. I’d like to see her be a working first lady in the sense that she might have an abiding passion for something OTHER THAN LOOKING PRETTY.
I would hate to see the first lady advocating shallow principles to young women…especially since she’s smart, educated, and capable of making a huge difference in people’s lives.
Spot on.
Let MO take tweetie in the back room and see who comes out. I won’t watch any of those shows anymore they are so kiss ass it’s pathetic.
It’s only been a hundred days. Mechelle is being handled, trained, primed and rehearsed before they let her loose. It took them four years from 2000-2004 to primes BO before he made the speech at the Democratic Convention–from all accounts he needed every minute of it and he still can’t speak without a teleprompter or even with one(his speech the other day when he lost his place again and started to introduce the same scientists he just introduced a second before. I couldn’t care less what Matthews says, this woman does not care about anyone but herself. Her patient dumping job at the University of Chicago engineered by none other than PR man Axelrod left alot of people without emergency care and gave her 360,000 a year. Not to mention she sat in that church for 20 years listening to pure hatred.And during the campaign her disgusting remarks about HRC and obvious use of the race card was sickening. As for Matthews he says what GE tells him to say.
Well let’s see. Matthews wife has been a news anchor in D.C. forever. No apron for her, I guess. As for Michele Obama does anyone think for a minute that her very strong mother toiled all Michele’s childhood , resulting in both her and her brother getting Princeton educations, so that she could be a ’50’s mom , as first lady? Give me a serious break.
I’m not sure where I heard this from but the genesis of Matthews’ deep animus towards Hillary and Bill was in their not having him work for his administration. Sounds about right to me.
As for all these comparisons to Jacqueline Kennedy , this has alot to do with Matthews whole Irish/ Catholic thing. He wants people to connect the Obama’s to the Kennedys so it will be all about style rather than policy. Therefore Obama can’t lose.
Finally not even Obama’s mother was a ’50’s mom. This whole throwback schtick is baloney. Hillary was raised very much in a typical ’50’s family. Her high crimes? A magnificent mind and sense of ambition.I got news for Matthews no intellegent, ambitious individual is without ego.
I agree with Ani about men who refrain from limiting the women in their lives, on any level. I have one for a husband and what it has done for our daughter seeing the respect her dad shows me has been amazing. In fact she’s thriving at Michele’s alma mater right now. She most certainly is not and will not cede her power to anyone. Nor should the first lady. It is clear Obama would be lost without her on every level.
We’ve got women running countries throughout this world and yet our media has this regressive view of who and what American women can be and still be considered “acceptable”.
Lauraks,
Amazing post and I thank you for your comment. I’m also thrilled to hear you have such a supportive spouse and that your daughter feels empowered and is thriving.
We need more examples of that in this country — not young women who think what Chris Brown did to his girlfriend is ok and ’she probably had it coming.’ When I hear comments like that in this day and age I am truly appalled.
Well said, Lauraks, thanks!
Thanks for another great post, Ani. My family has completely stopped watching MSGNY, & I couldn’t sit thru a Priss Matthews segment unless someone paid me a lot of money. I cannot stand that revolting asshole. Michelle’s new image is totally fake. If she had any pride or character, she would not allow her husbands gurus to make her into something she is not, and I’m not just talking about the physical aspect here (altho I laugh everytime I see her on a mag cover with approx 30 lbs photoshopped off her body & her face looking as artificial & stiff as a dolls), but her personality and demeanor seem to have changed dramatically. Everything about the Mechelle & Barry is unreal…and fake. All of the previous presidents during my lifetime, whether I liked them or not, at least seemed real, you knew who they were, where they came from, and what their intentions were. With the Obamas, I have no idea, & that is not a comforting thought. I can’t believe that half of America is please with these PR creations.
MSGNY — GREAT ONE!
“Because I don’t get paid, I get to do whatever I want to do.” –your selfish, arrogant First Lady
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/23/michelle-obama-i-sneak-ou_n_190828.html
Totally self absorbed. I say keep her out of the national spotlight as long as possible. She lacks any speck of graciousness whatsoever.
Ani–She was an angry black woman and, if she kept it up, she would have sunk Obama’s election. If she had any ambition as first lady then her projects would be compared to Hillary’s, and hers would surely be wanting. She doesn’t have a platform other than her hatred of white America and it doesn’t play in the nation discourse. If you don’t understand that she is not a feminist, or even can grasp that concept as it doesn’t much register to this woman who thinks her life has been more effected by race (unlike Shirley Chisolm), then you might be disappointed if her “Women and Girls Alliance” doesn’t handle anything of significance. She might be trying to rival Oprah’s covers and popularity. I don’t know. I’m not hoping for anything from her of any lasting value, or for any worthy contribution to this nation as a whole. She can’t cross that great divide.
She has become “Leave it to Beaver’s Mom.
Michelle Obama is saving the hard job for the President, (parenting isn’t a hard job?), here:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/04/michelle-obam-2.html
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I watched the video posted there. Listening to her, it’s hard to believe she is a product of Princeton and Harvard…
Some kid asked what she would do if ’something bad’ happened to the country and Mechelle said she would tell her husband to “get down to the Oval Office and call some leaders”. (This is apparently because O in not a leader. {rolls eyes})
It looks to me like the only real reason MO is being presented as a “50s woman” is that in the 50s women were off-limits for criticism.
Interesting point. Could be. But, it also could be that they are doing this with an agenda in mind to speak to black culture in this country. Perhaps they are hoping to impact black family values in a positive way? Maybe the Obamas are hoping to be an example for a positive message to build strong black families in this country, because culturally, those values have been eroded for the past 4 decades–whatever the causes, which I won’t presume to identify–and it has created social devastation on black children, black families, and black culture.
I’m talking about the sociological impact here, so don’t misconstrue my intention or my comments, please. I’m just not pre-judging their intention in presenting their family and the first lady in a context which sends a message. I don’t know that is the case, I’m just conjecturing about their intentions. Just wondering if there isn’t a personal hope that by setting a certain example, they have an impact on sociological and cultural changes relating to black families. I think that would be a good thing, having worked in social work for many years.
At any rate, while I’m not a fashion follower, and don’t like Michelle Obama’s taste in fashion anyway, I don’t find her a particularly compelling example of fashion. I don’t have a problem with Michelle Obama setting an image of beauty and brains, though, if it builds self-esteem or sends a message that strong black families are a good thing.
So, my muddled thoughts about it I guess, but there ya go…
The only problem with
is that most black women don’t have the luxury of being stay-at-home moms. They have to work to feed their children. If Michelle wanted to help black women, she would work on something to their benefit, such as helping them get better educations so they can get better jobs, making damn sure they get paid the same as the men doing the same jobs, getting funding for day care so they can have a place to safely leave their young children when they are at work, after school programs to keep the older kids occupied until Mom gets home. Flouncing around in false eyelashes and tacky clothes doesn’t do anything for anyone.
Yes, very good points, FLDEMFEM. Thanks.
You’re probably right on that one.
I would like to see her pick an issue she’s passionate about–and it isn’t military families, which she has pretended to care about, but that’s a lotta hooey pr bunk in my opinion, being a veteran–and take a stand on it.
She’s letting them package her as a fashion icon at the moment, why I cannot imagine, since it should insult her.
But then, I guess, if you’re a shallow person, you like to preen and sing “I feel pretty, Oh so pretty…” and be on the covers of magazines, instead of having to do hard work in service to some principle.
Chris Matthews, is he even relevant anymore?
Gosh I hope not. Unfortunately, he is indicative of the attitudes that many of his ilk possess — he is just perhaps one of the more egregious examples. That is why I feel it is important to mention. Even if the end result is pointing it out so more people (hopefully) actively choose to reject his chauvinistic diatribes.
Oddly enough, five months ago, he and Chris Hitchens of Vanity Fair were going to town on what an awful SoS appointment Hillary Clinton would be. Hitchens called her a ‘ludicrous embarrassment’ and Matthews said ‘why does Obama want the drama.’ Meanwhile, she is getting higher marks than anyone in his cabinet for revitalizing the State Dept. and being such a team player and has a popularity even higher than the Pres. when last checked. It’s not a competition, by the way — but I just find it funny that these kinds of guys do get traction with some viewers even though what they say it totally bogus.
There are still a lot of people out there who get their talking points from boobs with attitudes like his. And if you find him irrelevant, MrMike, that’s great.
I believe Michelle is being told how to think, look, and what to say, or else, by Obama’s handlers. I believe she is not happy in that role, and soon will break, and be the same old Michelle we saw on the campaign trail. The tell-tale comment to me was the comment she made about “tending the garden”. Something like everybody will do their part in tending this garden in this family, whether they like it or not. (paraphrasing). To me that was aimed at Big Guy.
She also bragged about telling Barack every morning, something like, “Now you get up and get to the office and do what you’ve been elected to do - makes laws, etc”, like it is up to HER to keep him motivated and doing his job for US.
Jackie O= a product of Miss Porter’s (finishing) School. She learned social graces and civics to be a productive member of, albeit, an upper class of socially conscious ladies.
Michelle= a product of Miss S’s School of Tasteless Fashion and Tacky Manners. She learned to disrespect others, whine about injustice where there is none, and to wear clothes stolen from a tranny.
There will never be any comparison.
Ani, great post, but honestly I could hardly bear to just get through that video. My anomosity toward CM is unprecedented. I’ve never seen anyone as confident about his opinions as CM to be soooo out of touch - particularly where independent women are concerned.
He even thinks he has the “feminist” thing right by saying “Michelle is doing what she chooses to do”. He makes her into this Stepford wife of perfection, whose only goal is to support her husband and children - a traditionally anti-feminist stance. I hasten to add, if that is indeed a woman’s choice, so be it and she should not care what anybody else thinks. But when this is the role espoused for women in general, whether she likes it or not, that’s where the wheels come off. Don’t compare Michelle to Hillary and intimate Michelle got it right and Hillary got it wrong. That is sexism personified.
If all of this were INDEED Michelle’s choice, that would be one thing. It OBVIOUSLY is NOT. Somebody is being paid big bucks to come up with what she SHOULD do. Michelle is first and foremost a revolutionary, not for women’s rights, but for people of color. She is a woman with an agenda, a woman with an ax to grind.
She constantly tries to mask that resentment or obsession. Like Oprah, she betrays the mask with her favoritism toward AA’s and other people of color. THIS is M0’s main focus that she will pursue in every direction possisble, while calling it ‘focusing on military families, focusing on government employees, focusing on school children, etc.’
Had I grown up as M0 I very well may feel the same way. But, reverse racism is not the answer either, particularly when you have been showered with the adoration given them by much of white America.
I have heard many times that AA’s or other people of color NEVER get past what they have experienced in that regard - apparently not even if your husband becomes POTUS and you are the First Lady.
They can dress her up fit to kill, put a shovel in her hands to prove interest in gardening, have her read books to school children, speak to the military families, etc. But, reduced to its lowest terms, she is still operating in her Politically-Incorrect-but- real mode - “For the First time in my Life, I am proud of my country”. And THAT is the REAL, unvarnished, unpretentious Michelle.
Sorry, Ani I did not get past this. I had not heard MO would have the nads to infer that what ever she chooses to do with her time as the spouse of a president, she would have to complain about money.
What an absolute disgrace. Imagine having the doors that can be opened for you in ANY effort you want to make to make a better world.
The ghosts of the first lady past in the WH would wake me in a cold sweat if I complained about not being given money to pay it forward.
What a pig. Tingle and her are two peas in a pod.
Now back to your exelent adventure.
Yes, that is quite a comment on her part, isn’t it. All the more indication that this gardening farce is not quite on the up and up. If we get any pictures of her smiling with a platter of home baked oatmeal cookies and some budgeting advice for your moms, you’ll know we’re really in the twilight zone.
The garden is all a PR stunt designed to make Michelle look like the consummate hip, eco-green, mama figure for the nation.
It’s a sell job that isn’t working. Does anyone besides an obot believe that Michelle - friend of Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Rezko, Mrs. Farrakhan, and a myriad of sordid characters really gives a flying f*ck about a garden?
It’s really does seem they are trying to package her as the mom in the movie Pleasantville when she is really more like the Queen of the Damned.
Tingle is a first class sucker.
I am disturbed that Michelle could not work queitly on a cause, building momentum, to help the Hopey changey thing along with her own humanity, if she has any.
I say quietly as to not disturb the waters but strike out in a direction that is above the frey.
Bizzare …did some move the goal posts on her again?
It seems to me there’s an attempt to come up with a MO brand. Yesterday I read an article–I think it was from the Washington Examiner (could be wrong). The article was written by a FEMALE reporter and talked about these same things that MO is doing. It sounds like Chris got his info from this article. The reporter concluded by saying she never felt she got to know Laura Bush, but that she knew MO already.
A Stepford wife for a Stepford President, put into office by a Stepford electorate.
I truly appreciate your point of view in this article and agree with it, for the most part, but you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear-and this has nothing to do with her appearance.
They can homogenize MO all they want, but you can’t take out the natural hate, selfishness, and racist feelings she brings with her.
The truth is, we have four years of watching a Hollywood production ahead of us. He can’t lead, so they have to constantly distract and have him make speeches. He has to make speeches because it’s the only way he can sound as if he actually understands what he’s talking about.
Can you imagine the result if they just let the two of them be who they really are? You’d have dumbelina standing around flapping his ears while Sherah, goddess of destruction, runs around torching everything in sight.
News You Can Use: HAH!
Rachel Maddow’s ratings fall by 50%:
http://www.businessinsider.com/rachel-maddows-ratings-havent-been-the-same-since-the-election-2009-4
NBC can’t pay the rent at its Washington DC Bureau:
http://www.observer.com/2009/media/nbc-exploring-possible-changes-its-longtime-headquarters-washington-dc
Clear Channel [right wing hatemongers like Sinclair Broadcasting] Cutting Jobs:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Clear-Channel-cutting-590-apf-15062591.html?.v=4
And, the capper:
http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ratings/april_ratings_fnc_beats_cnn_and_msnbc_combined_115179.asp
Want to give Obama a grade go to http://www.newsvine.com/_question/2009/04/29/2748978-the-president-has-completed-100-days-in-office-based-on-his-performance-so-far-what-grade-would-you-give-him 37% — F 33% — A 13.9% D
i know this is OT but i’d like to say thank you to last weeks People magazine. they didnt have even one picture of the obamas. i can only “hope” that doesnt “change”.
I’m reserving judgement til I’ve read Jane Goodalls assessment of MO’s (ol’ silverback)performance