Althouse: "President Barack Obama was greeted by women in aristocratic dress at the party..."

September 6, 2013

"President Barack Obama was greeted by women in aristocratic dress at the party..."

"... which seemed to have the questionable theme of decadence while the summit's key topic are poverty and war...."

17 comments:

David said...: So Michelle arrived early?; 9/6/13, 5:01 PM
Moose said...: I think Putin understands the term "irony".; 9/6/13, 5:07 PM
Unknown said...: Decadence, conspicuous extravagance in the land of a tyrant. And not a one of them is concerned in the slightest about the appearances of such or the sufferings of their constituents. What a bunch of self important, ignorant slobs. Especially ours, good grief.; 9/6/13, 5:11 PM
Clyde said...: Interesting contrast in those pictures: The other world leaders seem to share a sort of camaraderie, while Obama is usually seen walking alone. Even in the pictures where he isn't alone, he looks aloof and inaccessible, hands clasped behind him, as if he is above it all.

I won't even go into the symbolism of the picture where Obama's head seems to sprout from the groin of the statue, because that one's self-evident. The photographers' "halo effect" seems to have disappeared; if that's the new meme, then Obama's in trouble.; 9/6/13, 5:12 PM
n.n said...: How often are "charitable" events conducted in anything less than the lap of luxury?

Obama is famous for his extravagant parties. A good host would make a reasonable effort to accommodate the flamboyant predilections of his guests.

That said, the Russian economy, unlike the American economy, is not burden by trillion dollar deficits or a 17 trillion dollar public debt. They can afford to throw a party.; 9/6/13, 5:25 PM
Irene said...: It was more of a "Catherine the Great" evening than a "Marie Antoinette"-style party. Putin probably had the Russian monarch in mind.; 9/6/13, 6:54 PM
Hagar said...: This is silly. Peterhof is the czars' palace, and the Russians certainly would want to put on a show to compare with and preferably beat the other G20 hosts to date.; 9/6/13, 6:56 PM
wildswan said...: I simply can't imagine why anyone would put on a Marie Antoinette party. Unless Putin wanted to embarrass Obama and the others by forcing them to attend a party with that name. It's fact these G-20's all spend millions on tawdry glitzy shows and vacations while pretending to be socialists just the way Marie Antoinette pretended to be a shepardess. But it's a little strange to invite people to a party and then use the party to point out hypocrisy.; 9/6/13, 7:21 PM
Illuninati said...: I think the women looked beautiful - what's not to like?

This meeting is entirely appropriate. The entire goal of Marxism/leftism is to turn back the clock to the Middle Ages when all power and wealth was concentrated in the political class. Back then the political class had to compete with the church, so the Marxist have decided to destroy both the church and capitalists whom they see as competitors.

The pictures open the window the opulent lifestyle politicians like Obama are living while the average citizen is suffering. Our leaders work so hard for us, they deserve to party. Who are we to criticize our superiors?; 9/6/13, 8:45 PM
madAsHell said...: Now we know why Michelle bought $50,000 worth of Agent Provocateur. She had to sponsor the G20 meeting.; 9/6/13, 9:49 PM
William said...: Except in matters of race relations, the economy, and foreign policy, Obama's usually knows what he's doing. Give him credit for instinctively knowing that this event was going to produce some unwelcome photo ops.; 9/6/13, 10:22 PM
Henry said...: Lovely costumes. Crass light show.; 9/6/13, 10:23 PM
David said...: "Clyde said...
Interesting contrast in those pictures: The other world leaders seem to share a sort of camaraderie, while Obama is usually seen walking alone."

Maybe. But there's a new narrative about Obama developing and the (Follow The) Leader Dogs of the press can sniff it. They have sensitive noses, you know. Editorial photo selection means a lot.

Do these "leaders" feel a lot of love for Obama? No, but they are politicians. They can fake love even if they are not in the mood.; 9/6/13, 10:31 PM
David said...: I threw out a early snark about Michelle. But is she there?

Maybe at home. The kids are back in school.

"The children are hungry, Mrs. Obama. They don't like the new lunch menu."

"Let them eat twinkies."; 9/6/13, 10:34 PM
NCMoss said...: Kind of like obama whooping it up in Vegas after the Benghazi attack.; 9/7/13, 12:08 AM
Laura said...: Putin's use of irony and the press may even be more interesting, with the history surrounding Marie Antoinette and the attribution of the infamous utterance.; 9/7/13, 12:49 AM
Poppop said...: How do I get the phone number of one of those lovelies? Power and megalomania is wasted on the wrong people...; 9/7/13, 5:40 AM