Althouse: "It is not unheard of for First Ladies to skip town unnoticed... But Michelle Obama's absence raised a critical question: Who is tending to the garden?"

June 16, 2010

"It is not unheard of for First Ladies to skip town unnoticed... But Michelle Obama's absence raised a critical question: Who is tending to the garden?"

WaPo drivel for mush-headed ladies reaches a new low.

53 comments:

kent said...: But Michelle Obama's absence raised a critical question:

"Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?"; 6/16/10, 5:39 PM
Palladian said...: I wish the taxpayers would fund my private travel, like they do for Michelle.

As to "who is tending to the garden", the answer is: staff, the same staff that tends to it when the so-called "first lady" isn't on vacation.

And please note, I say "so-called first lady" not just because it's a hateful person like Michelle Obama, but because I despise the whole "first lady" idea. She's the current President's wife. She's not a queen-consort and she should not have a staff nor a budget nor an agenda at the taxpayer's expense. It's criminal.; 6/16/10, 5:47 PM
garage mahal said...: Yea Limbaugh, all class, him.; 6/16/10, 5:48 PM
David said...: Reporter: "How are the vegetables doing, Mrs. Obama?"

Michelle (slightly testy): "The President is fine. He can get along without us for a few days."; 6/16/10, 5:52 PM
Adam said...: "Who is tending to the garden?"

The Being There vibe emanating from Washington these days is as unrelenting as the call of the vuvuzela.; 6/16/10, 5:53 PM
AC245 said...: Yea Limbaugh, all class, him.

Some lefties are so blinded by their rage that they don't even notice when they've posted their Two Minutes Hate on the wrong thread.; 6/16/10, 5:54 PM
Unknown said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6/16/10, 5:59 PM
garage mahal said...: My post was in response to kent's "Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?". Limbaugh went off on that today, mimicking Malia Obama.; 6/16/10, 6:00 PM
Unknown said...: Someone should remind the author of this piece of the first lady's formal duties, and her salary; and then maybe follow that up with some research on what the FLOTUS has been doing since Jan 2009; 6/16/10, 6:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Michelle Obama is going to divorce Barack Obama, who she discovered on the eve of the health care vote that he had cheated on her.

That is why she is vacationing with her children without him.

That's why she was in New York when he signed the historic health care bill and not at his side for the most important event of his presidential career.

And it is why she is not at his side during the most difficult time of crisis of his Presidency.

She no longer loves him and is preparing to separate.; 6/16/10, 6:08 PM
Palladian said...: Why does the "first lady" receive a salary? Why does she have "formal duties"? Do the spouses of other elected officials have "formal duties" and/or receive salaries? Why are we paying these women? Why do we expect these women to perform "formal duties" just because they're married to an elected official? What if, one day, the "first lady" is a cancer researcher or a bio-physicist and she doesn't want to garden or "fight obesity" or "decorate" the White House during the non-denominational mid-winter observance or host luncheon parties for the spouses of whoever happens to be grovelling before the President that day?

I blame the 19th Amendment for this sort of nonsense.; 6/16/10, 6:13 PM
David said...: Nice, New Ham. Who's the other woman? Tipper?; 6/16/10, 6:14 PM
kent said...: My post was in response to kent's "Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?".

Fairly pointless as a response, then, as I do not listen to Limbaugh. (Would have saved you a spot of embarrassment if you'd maybe kinda sorta inquired as to that first, actually.)

Limbaugh listener, eh? Hmmmm.; 6/16/10, 6:16 PM
Palladian said...: Rush Limbaugh's made a little birdhouse in every lefty's soul, right beside Sarah Palin's. They get a sharp peck to the brain every time their thinker splutters to life.; 6/16/10, 6:20 PM
kent said...: Rush Limbaugh's made a little birdhouse in every lefty's soul, right beside Sarah Palin's. They get a sharp peck to the brain every time their thinker splutters to life.

Evidently. ;); 6/16/10, 6:22 PM
Unknown said...: Perhaps Michelle, having kicked The Zero's ass for not handling the spill the way she told him, has departed for sunnier climes to get the Gulf Coast in shape.

Or, simply put, is she fed up with her husband's bumbling and decided to take over?; 6/16/10, 6:22 PM
Palladian said...: NewHam: "Michelle Obama is going to divorce Barack Obama, who she discovered on the eve of the health care vote that he had cheated on her."

David: "Nice, New Ham. Who's the other woman? Tipper?"

Hmm. Where was NewHam on the eve of the health care vote?; 6/16/10, 6:23 PM
kent said...: "[S]uddenly it’s hip to dissent again. And don’t it feel good!"; 6/16/10, 6:24 PM
holdfast said...: "WaPo drivel for mush-headed ladies reaches a new low"

At least they know their target audience. By which I mean Sens Murray, Boxer and Lincoln (I don't like DiFi, but she's not dumb).; 6/16/10, 6:25 PM
Irene said...: She's probably visiting Oprah.; 6/16/10, 6:26 PM
Palladian said...: I think Michelle and the kids are actually going on a super-secret mission to plug the hole themselves, using the dessicated, forgotten husk of Hillary Clinton.; 6/16/10, 6:26 PM
Palladian said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 6/16/10, 6:26 PM
David said...: Enough of flip--

The "First Lady" needs a staff and that does not make her a Queen-Consort. She is expected to perform a bunch of ceremonial duties that require organization and planning, plus the President should not have to be worrying about whether he has to help with the dishes or clean the Lincoln Bedroom after guests leave. Because the world is rife with assassins, the President's family needs protection and an entourage when they travel. They should not have to stay at the White House because someone wants to kill them.

That said, it has gotten ridiculous. I doubt that anyone really knows how much is spent on pampering the powerful in Washington. A large percentage of White House staff is focused on image and spin. It's political, even if not campaigning under the meaning of the Hatch Act (which is probably violated every day in the White House, under this President and others.)

It's all part of their attitude towards taxpayer money. What's a few million, or hundred million or a few billion, compared with their need to be pampered and hand out favors to anyone who might consider voting for them.

I say throw all the rascals out. Why focus on Michelle--she really is quite a minor rascal, in the overall scheme of things.; 6/16/10, 6:27 PM
Palladian said...: "Why focus on Michelle--she really is quite a minor rascal, in the overall scheme of things."

Because we elected all the other rascals. And plus, she hates us.

Her husband hates us too, but unfortunately he was elected.; 6/16/10, 6:28 PM
garage mahal said...: Man, that hurts Palladian. Sniff.; 6/16/10, 6:29 PM
garage mahal said...: Why would either Obama love you Palladian anyway> You're a foul mouthed old wretch. What's there to love?; 6/16/10, 6:30 PM
Palladian said...: Sorry, garage. I kind of feel bad for Hillary too. I only remembered her because I saw that VH1 is airing an episode of "Where Are They Now?" about her next week.; 6/16/10, 6:32 PM
Palladian said...: "Why would either Obama love you Palladian anyway> You're a foul mouthed old wretch. What's there to love?"

My enormous penis.; 6/16/10, 6:32 PM
AllenS said...: It's a wolf pack thing, you wouldn't understand.; 6/16/10, 6:32 PM
AC245 said...: "Yea Limbaugh, all class, him. "
+
"Why would either Obama love you Palladian anyway> You're a foul mouthed old wretch. What's there to love?"

No comment.; 6/16/10, 6:33 PM
kent said...: My enormous penis.

Finally! SOMEONE who can actually plug the @#$%ing hole!; 6/16/10, 6:34 PM
Palladian said...: "Finally! SOMEONE who can actually plug the @#$%ing hole!"

Yeah, and there's already plenty of lube down there.; 6/16/10, 6:38 PM
GMay said...: Ba dump ching!; 6/16/10, 6:48 PM
Anonymous said...: @Palladian: The FLOTUS receives no salary. When Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were the First Lady, they each had a staff of 2. Michelle Obama, with her sense of entitlement, has a staff of 20. Talk about chutzpah.; 6/16/10, 7:04 PM
Anonymous said...: "Who's the other woman? Tipper?"

No ... Vera Baker. This is old news ... the new news is that Barack admitted the affair to Michelle.

That's why she is not supporting Barack in public, or in private - even now when he is facing the most urgent crisis of his nacent Presidency.

It's why she was in New York receiving counsel from a hush-hush confidant when Barack Obama - strangely alone - signed the signature legislation of his Presidency ... the health care bill.

Michelle was nowhere to be found.

MSM strangely quiet.

Their silence speaks volumes.; 6/16/10, 7:06 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Althouse should pay Palladian to comment here more often. He'd draw traffic so she'd make more money I bet.

Is that true that Michele has 20 on staff while prior First Lady's only had 2? Sounds a little far-fetched even for liberal Dems like the Obamas.; 6/16/10, 7:18 PM
garage mahal said...: Sorry, garage. I kind of feel bad for Hillary too. I only remembered her because I saw that VH1 is airing an episode of "Where Are They Now?" about her next week.

*rimshot*; 6/16/10, 7:28 PM
garage mahal said...: Oh, I see ACe[245] Ventura, Pet Detective is here. Hooray.; 6/16/10, 7:31 PM
Eric said...: Why does the "first lady" receive a salary? Why does she have "formal duties"?

There is a little bit of sense in this. She's supposed to show up at state dinners and such. I think that's why some countries have a separate position for the head of state.

Besides, the taxpayer-funded travel has as much to do with security as it does anything else.; 6/16/10, 7:35 PM
The Drill SGT said...: A large percentage of White House staff is focused on image and spin

Spin is the main function of the Political appointee side of the WH, for sure, but there 2 other portions of support that are dedicated to supporting the POTUS, but not serving Obama the man or his party.

- there are the dedicated, permanent WH staff. The maids, butlrs, maintence people, gardeners, etc. they tend to stay forever.

- the Military staff, in the WH area specificilly that is primarily the WH Communications Agency. WHCA is half Army, and the rest Navy/USAF. These are the folks that run the phones, video, satellite coms, etc. Their web site says that 1/3 of the Army's total signal jobs are at WHCA. That must be wrong, but its right there: The U.S. Army plays a pivotal roll in the field of Presidential communications support. They are the largest element in WHCA, having 56% percent of the authorized military positions, and 33% of the Army's total Signal MOS positions. Then there are the Marines who guard the POTUS, as well as man VMH-1, the helo squadron. And the USAF has the fleet of planes.

When Obama goes overseas, the manpower going with him generally exceeds 1,000. Advance teams, Secret service, commo guys, commo repairmen, drivers, mechanics. Plane drivers, plane mechanics, guards for the planes, aides, etc, etc.; 6/16/10, 7:42 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Sgt:

1,000 people! Damn that's a lot. But I guess they have to scout out every bldg, road, etc where President Obama may go near.; 6/16/10, 7:52 PM
Unknown said...: New "Hussein" Ham said...

"Who's the other woman? Tipper?"

No ... Vera Baker. This is old news ... the new news is that Barack admitted the affair to Michelle.

Laugh, sneer, or anything else you want, but the Enquirer nailed Edwards and this is their story, as well.

(No idea whether they're blowing smoke on this, but it would explain a few things...)

WV "poodompr" Little Mrs. Hudson, who recycled all day long...; 6/16/10, 8:11 PM
Eric said...: Have we not become numb to the sexual antics of powerful men? Rich, powerful, and ambitious men cheat on their wives. So what? Unless you're dating one, why would you care?; 6/16/10, 8:17 PM
Eric said...: Incidentally, I'm not up on all the new slang. Is "tending the garden" what the kids are calling it these days?; 6/16/10, 8:19 PM
RLB_IV said...: Michaele epitomizes the attitude of some nouve riche. She has an entourage of 20 because she can determine the size of her staff and not pay for it. A women of class and breeding would under stand that less is better if she knew how to manage the house and accounts. Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Bush are to be commended for understanding that we pay for their staff and fortunately they did not have the entitlement delusion.

I feel sorry for Michele in that I do not think that she knew what was in store for her and the girls, especially since she stated that Barack was not ready to be POTUS. It must be agonizing to watch your husband fail so often and prove that you were right.; 6/16/10, 8:26 PM
Wince said...: Palladian said...
Rush Limbaugh's made a little birdhouse in every lefty's soul, right beside Sarah Palin's. They get a sharp peck to the brain every time their thinker splutters to life.

Any excuse to play some circa 1980s They Might be Giants.

Birdhouse in Your Soul

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I have a secret to tell
From my electrical well
It's a simple message and I'm leaving out the whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me
Filibuster vigilantly
My name is blue canary one word spelled l-i-t-e
My story's infinite
Like the Longines Symphonette it doesn't rest

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

I'm your only friend
I'm not your only friend
But I'm a little glowing friend
But really I'm not actually your friend
But I am

There's a picture opposite me
Of my primitive ancestry
Which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches shipwreck free
Though I respect that a lot
I'd be fired if that were my job
After killing Jason off and countless screaming Argonauts
Bluebird of friendliness
Like guardian angels its always near

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Who watches over you
Make a little birdhouse in your soul
Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

(and while you're at it
Keep the nightlight on inside the
Birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it)
Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch (and while you're at it)
Who watches over you (keep the nightlight on inside the)
Make a little birdhouse in your soul (birdhouse in your soul)

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul; 6/16/10, 10:06 PM
MadisonMan said...: Would you mind if I balanced this glass of milk
Where your visiting friend accidentally was killed?

Kent, it is a mistake to think that a reply that riffs on your comment is meant to be solely about your comment. People are trying to digress here.; 6/16/10, 10:38 PM
MadisonMan said...: When Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush were the First Lady, they each had a staff of 2. Michelle Obama, with her sense of entitlement, has a staff of 20.

My confidence in these numbers?

Zero. Rightly so. It nearly boggles my mind that anyone would believe it.; 6/16/10, 10:41 PM
Methadras said...: garage mahal said...

Oh, I see ACe[245] Ventura, Pet Detective is here. Hooray.

Why are you still in the US? This place isn't for you dookie. You should leave and check your citizenship at the door because you don't deserve it, dead-bolt.; 6/16/10, 10:55 PM
garage mahal said...: Why are you still in the US?

Got kicked out of Cuba. But I'm a short-timer. You?; 6/16/10, 11:14 PM
kent said...: Kent, it is a mistake to think that a reply that riffs on your comment is meant to be solely about your comment. People are trying to digress here.

Well, I'll confess, I do try to take the other posters here at their respective words, re: authorial intent... but some do merit said consideration decidedly more than others, I'll readily grant you, if that's where you're headed with that. ;); 6/16/10, 11:52 PM
garage mahal said...: oLD sCHOOL aT NAmM.

HeH. Eric Levy from Garaj Mahal, On the MOOG. Or is it a mini-MOOG. Paul?; 6/17/10, 12:03 AM
Palladian said...: "Althouse should pay Palladian to comment here more often. He'd draw traffic so she'd make more money I bet."

Now THAT'S a great idea!

But I can't even get a sidebar link to my fabulous online sketchbook. Oh the humanity!; 6/17/10, 1:07 AM