For heaven’s sake. I am not posting a picture of Michelle Obama wearing shorts on her family’s recent trip to the Grand Canyon. There are plenty of rocks to look under on the web, and plenty of “news” outlets wringing their hands about her sartorial choices. This Newsweek blog post from Kate Dailey hits the nail on the head. Any alleged controversy about Michelle Obama’s bare legs has been manufactured by hacks who are, first and foremost, interested in dissecting Obama’s body and the clothing that covers it.
Of course, there are over 1,500 comments on that piece, most from people complaining that Obama looks sloppy, is not in shape, should be setting a better example, is raising her daughters to dress disrespectfully, and by the way, Obama’s going to kill your grandma. So maybe the outrage is not manufactured after all. Maybe this country just has a chronic case of the stupids.
I’m off to spend the weekend in my hometown. I will report back if there are any shenanigans – such as middle-aged women wearing shorts.
I also think that part of focusing on Michelle Obama’s clothing (as this is not the first time) is a way of silencing her. By focusing on her clothes, the media is saying that she doesn’t have much else to offer other than her looks.
I wrote a post on this yesterday here: http://youngfeministadventures.blogspot.com/2009/08/are-clothes-more-important-than.html
Maybe this country just has a chronic case of the stupids.
This gets my vote.
Not in shape?????
What struck me about the picture I saw wasn’t Michelle Obama’s shorts as much as how huge the air force officer’s suit was. http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/first-lady-Michelle-Obama/photo//090820/480/5e4e93101a694d03885c0466c41e9dcb//s:/ap/20090820/ap_on_re_us/us_fea_lifestyles_michelle_obama_shorts_1
Is it supposed to look like that? He looks floppy.
Oh dear me! Mrs. Obama wearing shorts!
Christ, these people will think of anything to bitch about to make sure everybody hears their moans of dismay as long as it detracts from the real issues going on.
See also: Hillary Clinton.
Jesus, first Barack can’t wear jeans and now Michelle can’t wear shorts? BISH PLZ. I’m sure that if you looked through the photo archives, you’d find plenty of photos of W. and Laura wearing jeans and shorts during the summer.
Assholes need to back the fuck off the Obamas, is all I’m sayin’.
The outrage is indeed manufactured — it’s put together on an assembly line by mini-humans who look like Glenn Beck and are unable to say anything other than “you betcha!” The outrage is available for purchase at $99.99, and all proceeds will go towards defeating socialism/fascism and restoring our country to a good Christian nation.
…
That is all.
I live in Arizona. It’s hot as hell here. Good for her for making a sensible choice!!