The White House has jumped on the Flickr bandwagon alongside other government institutions like the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian, who've also set up public accounts. Now anyone can flip through the Presidential photo albums, sneaking peeks of the First Lady's fierce moves and the President's lame dance face.
Okay, so there's a little more to it than pics from the Governor's Ball. There are treaty signing photos and pictures from Afghanistan, but this is Apartment Therapy, so we'll leave it to the political blogs to cover that stuff and we'll focus instead on the White House decor, which we've always found intriguing.
The thing we enjoyed most, browsing through the various Flickr sets, was the chance to see the White House alive with activity. It's really the ultimate live/work space, outfitted for every type of meeting, dance, or tea party you could imagine. There's no other place where a family's life is so closely and publicly tied to work...except maybe the Real Housewives or 9 By Design, but those shows only last for a season, not four years.
To view the full White House photostream, click here.
SHOWN ABOVE
Photos: United States Government Work used under USA.gov Guidelines
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Recipe: Ham, Cheddar & Chive Egg Bakes
Wow, the first lady is getting her sexy on!
I agree. Michelle looks HOT! Our guy, not so much.
Our guy looks just fine to me. And yes, Michelle is one good looking class act.
I hope the economy improves soon so our First Lady can one day afford SLEEVES.
Patrick, why?
Such a great picture of the Obamas dancing! I wish more media was that authentic...not to mention politicians.
sexy beautiful ;)
Another lefty president...never noticed that before.
The Times had an article last year that mentioned in passing Obama's comment just before signing the executive order closing down Gtmo... he looked around the Bush decorated Oval Office which included some fancy traditional plates...his comment was something like "We have to do something about these plates. I'm not really a plates kind of guy." That just makes me smile.
Agreed on the plates. Smart move.
Did we ever get the full low-down on the redecoration of the Residence? I had been looking forward to that and haven't seen it.
Beautiful. :)
Michelle Obama has the most beautiful arms anywhere... covering them up would be a crime.
She is making the case for the forties being the best age!
I remember the left having fits over Laura Bush's dresses.... "how much did THAT cost?!!!" Now, it's ok to wear designers firsts... hmmm.
Michelle is gettin' it!
Oh dear...is Obama doing the White Man's Overbite?
You guys sound as if stuck in a time machine of 2 years ago, still hopelessly fawning over a failed concept.
How many shakes one needs to get connected to reality? Rhetorical question.
BTW, "closing Gitmo", I believe, still didn't happen.
As well as supposed "sophistication" of officially titled "1st lady". Despite all the work an army of professional stylists and designers had to do to bring her to a barely passable condition.
Is that grasscloth wall paper?
Whoa, Tatyana - I wonder who you would deem as "sophisticated" - everyone seems to agree Mrs. Obama is stunning (because, look at her, she is). And yes, while the closing of GITMO has not yet happened, President Obama continues to work towards that goal with the removal of inmates to other locales. Obviously this is a job that requires a lot of thought and collaboration and cannot happen over night.
On a more positive note - what beautiful pictures. And quite honestly, I never thought I'd see an image like the second one in my lifetime :)
I was wondering about the grasscloth wallpaper, too! I love these photos. And Michelle certainly is hot! As for our guy not looking so good, I think he looks as good as one can when never sleeping.
zoee--
My "sleeves" comment had NOTHING to do with conservative/traditional morays or public taboo... I'm just tired of seeing her arms. We get it, she's young and in shape. But does EVERYTHING she owns have to be sleeveless?
ali07--
Re: "everyone seems to agree Mrs. Obama is stunning (because, look at her, she is)."
Um, perhaps everyone who is *commenting* agrees she is stunning.
and zoee--
I have made the same sleeves comment about David Bromstad. :)
zoee--
I strongly suspect issues are of style rather than of menopause, but who knows.
Don't get too worked up over Tatyana. If it is the same Tatyana I know from here, she is very opinionated (not that that's a bad thing!) and has a very strong way of wording her posts, even when sticking to issues of decor and not diplomacy. But in person, she is quite funny and lovely.
Which, I guess proves the old advice about steering clear of issues of politics (sex and religion) in polite conversation...
I wonder if people griped when stye icon Jackie Kennedy went sleeveless:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/06/dressy-jacqueline-kennedy_n_172468.html
I say it is refreshing to see such a beautiful, elegant, graceful First Lady in the White House.
Good lord, people. Will you read yourselves? The first lady's arms and her sleeves??? Shame on you, Patrick, for starting this one. :-)
What about the president's wife-beater undershirt? or would that be too low-brow for this forum?
I don't think Michelle Obama always goes sleeveless, but she definitely favors twinsets and outfits that have the option to "cool off." Who knows, maybe the heating and AC in the White House is quirky?
And Tatyana, she is our country's First Lady, not "1st lady" in quotes as if she is pretending to hold that position. You may as well accept it. She is almost universally regarded to have good taste, to dress well for her body type, and to favor off-the-rack, accessible clothes rather than couture everything like many previous women in her position. I will try not to read anything into your choice of "barely passable," but I have a pretty good idea of what you are saying between the lines.
I have a daughter who, at 5'10, is nearly as tall as Michelle Obama. She complains that when she wears long sleeved dresses, it looks like way too much fabric going on. If she needs long sleeves (Chicago) she prefers a sleeveless dress with a complementary jacket or sweater, usually pushed up to 3/4 sleeves.
My comments were limited to issues of style about a high-profile public official who is held up regularly for being a style icon. I am entitled, and make no apologies.
And kim, if he showed up at a State dinner in his wifebeater, you bet your ass I would be commenting. As would YOU. Don't be ridiculous by making that comparison. Shame on *you*.
A quick google search- mostly sleeves. Who would have thought, this conversation is totally pointless?
If the First Lady was parading around in the typical First Lady pantsuit, we'd be having a much different conversation. No doubt it would be even more disrespectful and pointless.
uggg. are we not safe from politics even on Apartment Therapy????
Rawk on First Couple! These photos are great! They are both such beautiful people :)
Mrs. Obama is beautiful and has a great sense of style.
"Barely passible" ?? Get over yourself.
Oh, they both look great.
It looks like Mrs. Obama's dress might have come with a jacket or wrap that she removed for dancing (?). I've never seen her wear a sleeveless garment inappropriately. She always looks good to me.
oh, zoee, zoee, look who's lecturing me on mature conversation!
no, dear zoeee, i will not post photos of myself - I'm not a public persona, and I don't have an army of stylists and $5mln/year income (as well as a staff of photoshopping interns) and my looks are none of your business - unlike said persona's. After all, we -collectively - pay for her upkeep.
note, also, dearest zoeeee, that my comments were strictly within the topics indicated by previous commenters, including mentioning of GITMO. [and what a laughable topic that is!] and you have no idea, NONE, of my politics - as I did not mention them.
looks like you recognized yourself in the description of the "fawning over a failed concept- well, who am I to argue? you exposure was pretty funny, actually, thanks for the laugh.
pity, you have such a short visual memory - you talk about Mrs. Obama's style as if she was born with it; let me remind you the way your idol dressed herself only a year ago, before she underwent taxpayer's funded transformation - here, f.i.. or here.
the woman has no taste of her own.
just the fierce eyebrows. and if we are to believe the news from National Enquirer, she'll need to act as she mean it, too...
*patrick (the Num.One! and Only!)
Why, thank you. I'm glad you still remember me, it's been a while since I went to AT' gatherings. We should get together some day, for a piece of juicy gossip - and to exchange opinions about Miami; I finally went, in March and fell in love!
zoeee, ever heard of ad hominem? google that.
Yes, Michelle Obama happens to be gorgeous on the outside, but that's not why people love and respect her. Her outer beauty is just the icing on the cake. She's one of the most accomplished, intelligent, poised women in the United States today. And if that doesn't meet someone's definition of "sophistication," then I don't know what would.
The first lady looks great in these pics!
Love the simple dress, so elegant and classic. Def. a really nice classy look on her.
I think Michelle Obama has a fantastic style sense and a healthy, athletic body.
Those who are commenting that they don't find her attractive - are you comparing her to a celebrity? You can't fault a person for not being Angelina Jolie.
Ms Obama clearly works out and chooses flattering, stylish pieces. I respect that and think she looks great even if she doesn't look like a movie star. :)
zoeeee, careful, you'll pop that vein.
PS
"mean-spirited" is spelled as I wrote it.
"pompousness" has a different meaning from what you think it means.
As a parting gift, I'll do your job for you and give a Wiki' description of "ad hominem" attack that YOU EMPLOYED against me:
Ad hominem abusive usually involves insulting or belittling one's opponent, but can also involve pointing out factual but ostensible character flaws or actions which are irrelevant to the opponent's argument. This tactic is logically fallacious because insults and even true negative facts about the opponent's personal character have nothing to do with the logical merits of the opponent's arguments or assertions.
And the last:
learn to accept and be open to criticism of your political heroes. After all, our esteemed Secretary of State declared that dissent and debate is patriotic. That is, when someone clearly talks about politics - but you can't even recognize when this is not the case. You mistake my negative evaluation of politician wife's taste for political statement - and then engage in defamation of my character, without any basis whatsoever, and insist on it, even after being pointed to your faults.
You remind me of those fishmonger wives in old Italian neo-realist movies: dirty, smelly, hands-on-hips, bad-mouthed shrews, screaming insults at the top of their voices.
Your hatred will one day kill'ya, kiddo.
So, zoee--
This is all appropriate fodder for a design blog... as long as the comments are complimentary?
Um, okay, as long as we are all clear on the rules.
As far as Tatyana goes (and Tatayna, I make no excuses for you, nor mean this with any disrespect), sometimes when matters of native/non-native tongue are involved, things don't always translate in the blogosphere.
And, Frankenberry, if all Jackie O wore were little sleeveless numbers, and was profiled for her toned arms and how she works out to get 'em, then, yes, we (or at least I) would be commenting.
And before anyone attacks any of this, just to qualify: I have been day-drinking at a gay commitment ceremony since 3 pm today, after a week of no carbs.
All my love to Barry and Tony!! And to Barry's mom for being in attendance and giving her boy away!
"You remind me of those fishmonger wives in old Italian neo-realist movies: dirty, smelly, hands-on-hips, bad-mouthed shrews, screaming insults at the top of their voices."
She isn't the only one...
And this reminds me of why I only visit AT for Small, Cool now...
Later kids.
*patrick, I'm not sure why you felt compelled to mention matters of native/non-native tongue.
Am I making myself incomprehensible? Was my first comment too "foreign"? Too short - and thus open to interpretation?
I think the problem is the opposite - zoee added to it. A lot. A very big lot of projected insecurities, boiler-plate accusations, spiteful remarks, and irrelevant ranting.
It's funny, how certain people tend to oversee one's accent and quirks of English - as longas her/his comment is complementary and agrees with what they say...
But lets turn to more pleasant matters: what a beautiful summer evening, finally, after freakish weather we had for the last two weeks.
For such an occasion I think you can permit yourself a bit of carbs, *patrick. Enjoy!
Tatyana,
Just out of curiosity, if your highly vitriolic reaction to Ms. Obama wasn't motivated by politics, what was it motivated by? Did she dip your fingers in warm water at a slumber party or something?
*kellylc,
I didn't say it was not motivated by politics, just that it was not about politics - and I think it's pretty clear from my words.
You have some objections - to what I said, not to my "vitriol"? I'll be happy to discuss them.
But if you want to discuss politics with me - that's fine, too. Just not
1) on design blog
2) in a thread pretending to be about style and public image projected by a politician's wife.
Tatyana--
I was trying to explain that you come across way harsher, judgmental, and holier than thou when you are posting as opposed to when you are speaking, in person. And I attribute that, somewhat, to matters of language and vernacular which do not always translate so gracefully from spoken to written.
It was actually in your defense.
But you know what, you're on your own. Have at her, ladies!
Actually, no, I wasn't sure what you were getting at. You wanted to point out the fact she utilizes a stylist? So do most heavily-scrutinized women in the public eye (see also: Palin, Sarah).
So you don't like the Obamas personally or politically- that's fair enough. But please don't take offense when we question the vitriol, as getting in that catty dig at Michelle's appearance seems to be the entire point of your post.
Anyway. I'm totally digging that grasscloth wallpaper with olive-colored drapes. I'm curious about all those shiny things behind Barry's right shoulder. Anyone know what they are?
I usually come here to look at the cool furniture and design ideas. As a conservative I find it disappointing and inappropriate that this site would be used to post photos which are political in nature especially of Obama and fashion plate wife living it up.
If I want liberalism I can go to Huffpo.
Please keep this site politics free. Not everyone is an Obama fan.
The comments in this post really make me wish AT had an ignore function.
The Obamas are both beauties, even when the POTU makes dorky dance faces. Been watching the White House Flickr stream for awhile... fascinating stuff. And I'm always on Bo watch. Who's a puffy dog? Who?
How pathetic, so many haters. So, you don't like the topic and its content, then move on. No need to show such hatred. This is a design blog.. jeez!!
POTUS. PresidentOfTheUnitedStates. POTUS.
Okay, so zoee, this time it was I who misread you. I seemed to get the impression you were opposed to, well, the opposition... so I retract my comment about "so only if it's complimentary"... aimed at *you.*
I guess my point was that people don't/didn't seem to care it's a non-design-related post... until/as long as no one has anything negative to say...
This is still a blog - the blogger can post anything they want (that's legal), no? This post might not be design related but that's the blogger's choice.
afrocity, photos of the President and First Lady in the White House are not "political" in nature. President Obama was elected in a fair and open election, she is his wife, and they live in the White House. Deal with it. They are leading public figures and thus will be in the spotlight until he leaves office (maybe--we still see plenty about the Bushes, Clintons, and so on).
When Bush was in office I saw plenty of articles about Laura Bush's fashion sense, or the decorating they did at the White House, or their daughter's wedding. And you know what? I took them for what they were--"fluff" pieces about public figures. I didn't vote for Bush either time, but I either read what was written about him and his family or I moved on. Just like I would do with articles about Britney Spears or Tiger Woods or anyone else in the public eye. It is not your "right" to be spared upsetting photos of the Obama family in the White House on this blog any more than it is your right not to see them on the cover of magazines in the checkout line at the supermarket.
I think that "someone" fails to recognize her own ad hominem abuse.
only for the purposes of letting someone else to taste their own medicine, CreativeLicense.
strictly in educational sense.
patrick (#1),
and why ever not I should NOT be harsh and judgmental about any topic I see fit? as you said you yourself - "I'm entitled and I make no apologies". This is still a free country where free speech is protected - at least for this short moment in time, until the faction represented for now in the highest office of the country haven't implemented their full agenda yet.
I'm simply following the modus operandi on this blog as it's customary on any other topic, i.e. - in the threads ANY opinion is legit, negative as well as positive, as long as it is argued well, stays on topic and is free from personal attack against other commenters. Sadly, your friend "zoeeeee" doe not follow this pattern.
As to the rest of your comment...well, I'll make none of my own.
To sum up this thread: Michelle's hot and the First Lady of the United States and Tatyana's obnoxious and just some idiot on a blog. I can live with that.
Uh, somewhat off topic here? I never realized how overwhelmingly beige the Oval Office is. The walls, the drapes, the rug...it looks downright dreary in there. Michael Smith, get thee from the East Wing to the West! (Btw, have any pics of his work in the family's residence been published? I've not seen any.)
ps: If I had Michelle Obama's arms I would never wear sleeves again. Now where did those free weights get to...?
Tatyana, I was referring to your original comment:
"You guys sound as if stuck in a time machine of 2 years ago, still hopelessly fawning over a failed concept.
How many shakes one needs to get connected to reality? Rhetorical question."
I assume "You guys" refers to those whose comments preceded your own, comments which referenced Michelle Obama's personal style. Is that the "failed concept" you were referring to? Michelle Obama's style??? Or did you really mean that anyone who appreciates Mrs. Obama's fashion sense is somehow not "connected to reality," and therefore a political idiot?
Ad hominem much?
no, CreativeLicense.
This has nothing to do with ad hominem, as you can easily discover if you look up the meaning of the expression that I provided, helpfully, in one of my earlier comments.
That was an objective observation, quite mild in style and lexics used - I could, for instance, have called all the preceding commenters lefty brainwashed idiotic brownnosers worshiping at the altar of pair of Poseur-In-Chief and his Empty-headed Affirmative-Action Vulgar Marxist spouse, who have their heads firmly entrenched up their multi-used anuses (or is it anusi ? we'll have to ask *patrick ) for more than a year.
But that would be in the style of above-referenced zoeeee or unabridged. And I'm much classier than that.
So I didn't.
See? simple.
Poseur-In-Chief and his Empty-headed Affirmative-Action Vulgar Marxist spouse
Well, that's the most idiotic thing I've read on Apartment Therapy in awhile. Yeah, that corporate-board servin', marketing and intellectual property lawyer Michelle Obama is sure a Marxist.
Do you even know what a Marxist is? Or how unhinged you sound when you call Michelle Obama a "Marxist"?
Maybe you have this site confused with Asylum Therapy. I hear they have a big feature on designer padded cells over there. Perhaps you should pay one a visit.
Wow. Just...wow.
Wow. I think some of you need a nap. I know I do, but then I am not picking silly fights on the Internet. Get a life, people-- and you can decide to whom this is directed.
Whoah, Nelly! That last comment by Tatyana was officially the single most horrifying thing I've ever read within these hollowed virtual AT halls- and that is really saying something!
This is very entertaining. Please continue, all.
*sunspot42 - yes, I do know what Marxist means.
Unlike you, I studied it for 14 years, and even got an A when passed the State Scientific Communism exam. "State" being USSR, gloriously defunct.
So you can rely on me as an expert - when I say Michelle Obama's public speeches betray her ideology which I characterize as Vulgar Marxism (not my term, but one introduced by V.I. Lenin. See State and Revolution, Certain features of the historic development of Marxism, and numerous others) - it is.
[Here's a taste of the meaning. In this context, we can debate the $250,000 income as a dividing line for labeling people "rich" and consequent proposals of taxing them progressively; the class-envy speeches, the "stink-eye" the woman gives to the well-to-do, as the proper nouveau riche she is, conveniently forgetting her own income, and so on, so on]
Speaking of nouveau riche, I'm really glad you touched on "corporate board-serving, marketing and intellectual property lawyer" aspect.
We can discuss that. It'll be fun!
I'd love to talk about Ms.Obama's supposed "accomplishments".
Let's start with her highest to date (I'll be generous) one, the post she was occupying in the Chicago hospital before and after her husband was elected a State Senator.
In her publicized talk in Ohio (when her husband was still on the presidential campaign trail, in February 2008, she said (and I quote)
"Obama explains that she and her husband made the choice to give up lucrative jobs in favor of community service. “We left corporate America, which is a lot of what we’re asking young people to do,” she tells the women. “Don’t go into corporate America. You know, become teachers. Work for the community. Be social workers. Be a nurse. Those are the careers that we need, and we’re encouraging our young people to do that. But if you make that choice, as we did, to move out of the money-making industry into the helping industry, then your salaries respond.”
What she doesn’t mention is that the helping industry has treated her pretty well. In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office. And that does not count the money Mrs. Obama receives from serving on corporate boards. " [Source]
At the time the article was written, it was not known yet that
a) when Mr. Obama became Illinois Senator he requested $1mln earmarks for the Hospital's capital improvement project (which he was subsequently refused, so the Hospital was n0ot compensated for their investment, so to speak)
b) the hospital had eliminated that all-important position after Ms. Obama has moved to better pastures in DC. And they see no need to replace her with anybody.
I guess they don't much care for "community affairs" that constitute "accomplishment" of our 1st Lady.
Or we can look into her thesis. Or her giving up her law-practicing license. Or her attending for 20 years 9and making her family to attend it, too) the racist Liberation Movement Church. Or her more recent , albeit much more modest "accomplishment" of ordering to color the water in White House' fountains green in celebration of St.Patrick's Day- I bet, no First Ladies had exhibited such en impeccable taste in the past!
I can continue on this topic, as oyu can see, - I am well prepared to back up my statements with facts arguments.
But I as said - this is not a place. I wouldn't dream of talking about it here if you and a few others on this thread didn't conflate the manufactured public image of this woman as paragon of style with her supposed "accomplishments"- which, frankly, are an affront to all American women who really made history and demonstrated incredible achievement in a workplace and science environment that was hostile to their efforts and gender.
hilarity / sadness / snoozefest
So you can rely on me as an expert
Oh, we do, Tatyana. We do.
You are an expert in teh crazee!
As for your grasp of the facts, I'm genuinely shocked that it's not quite so solid. Ms. Obama started with the University of Chicago Hospitals in 2002, as their executive director for community affairs. In 2005, she became their Vice President for Community and External Affairs, with considerably-expanded responsibilities. I don't know exactly how the University of Chicago Hospital system works, but often when you get a title like "Vice President" in the corporate sector, take on additional responsibilities, and enter senior management, it comes with a hefty pay raise.
Now, did her promotion have anything to do with her husband becoming a Senator? Well, that wouldn't exactly surprise me. That's how things work at the top in our society, in both business and government. After all, to use a prominent example, our last President was given a couple of companies to run by friends of his daddy, both of which our "MBA President" promptly ran into the dirt. Quelle surprise!
Since the University of Chicago Hospitals is still an ongoing concern, all I can conclude from your screed is that Ms. Obama isn't as incompetent a beneficiary of nepotism as Shrub. Which admittedly is a pretty low hurdle to clear. Well, and we can conclude that the Obamas might favor steering government pork toward hospitals, as opposed to, say, Halliburton. Not ideal in my book, but clearly better than the alternative.
Beyond that, neither the Bushes nor the Obamas look much like Marxists, which was your nutty, spittle-flecked assertion up above. Perhaps you should spend less time spouting off teh crazee, and more time building tinfoil hats to shield yourself from Michele Obama's treacherous "stink eye". She gonna getchu, girl!
I think less Apartment Therapy and more plain old therapy would do you a world of good, Tatyana. Even though I have to admit, I for one would miss the free entertainment you provide.
Gee, sunspot (what a hilariously correct nickname. Unintended hilarity, I must add), who woulda thought we will agree on something? And yet, I, too, consider this thread an entertainment - and an example of the kind of meager argument the libtards are capable to muster.
In other words, other that another stream of invective directed at me personally, there is no NONE, ZILCH, NADA of argumentative response to my facts.
Oh, and I forgot the important element of every moonbat leftie: Booooosh-bashing.
But be careful, comrade: you opened the door. You might not like it if someone will say: ah, so now we're comparing former president and the current one? Let's then level the field; how about a cartoon depicting Ms. Obama as a circus monkey in lemon-yellow and fluorescent-magenta clothes, fiercely arching her eyebrows and wagging her finger at her cheating SOB husband? You know, to balance the way the Left tastefully presented Bush as a Chimp?
I bet this would be celebrated topic in your circle.
With 12 posts so far--not one of them containing any rational, thought-provoking, or relevant sentiments whatsoever--I do believe we have a new AT record. Congratulations, Tatyana!!
Too bad you forgot what you said in post number 7 above: "...if you want to discuss politics with me - that's fine, too. Just not 1) on design blog..."
correction to my previous:
accidentally omitted:
"so now we're comparing former president and the wife of the current one?
Tatyana, we're not responding to your argument because we don't even know what you're arguing about. President Obama's politics? Mrs. Obama's fashion sense? The definition of Marxism? The bottom line is, it doesn't really matter. This is a DESIGN site. This post is titled "A Peek Inside the Ultimate Live/Work Space." This not the forum for an insane political rant. You can say you don't like the curtains, you can even say you don't like Mrs. Obama's style of dress, but please refrain from calling us "libtards" simply because we admire Mrs. Obama's fashion sense. And then expect us to defend ourselves with facts and figures! Back in the 80s, I thought that Mrs. Reagan was quite the fashion plate. But that didn't make me a Republican. The point is, equating someone's taste in fashion with his or her political beliefs is quite a leap. Not only that, my political beliefs are none of your business, so I for one am not about to defend *anything*.
Too bad you forgot what you said in post number 7 above: "...if you want to discuss politics with me - that's fine, too. Just not 1) on design blog..."
It's hard for Tatyana to remember what she said a few hours ago, sally305. What, with Michelle Obama's stink eye glaring at her and all.
In other words, other that another stream of invective directed at me personally, there is no NONE, ZILCH, NADA of argumentative response to my facts.
Actually, I posted a couple of paragraphs detailing Ms. Obama's career at the University of Chicago Hospitals, which pointed out that your "facts" are a little incomplete, at best. Perhaps you missed it, being so unnerved by the evil rays emanating from Michelle Obama's stink eye.
sally305: so you would want me to shut up expressing myself while allowing others run their moonbat mouths free? if you so dislike politics discussed on this blog - why not prohibit *sunspot42, *creativelicense, *zoeeeeeeeee and others to touch on it?
how intolerant of you -and how unfair!
pray, tell - which thought of mine you consider irrational? particularities, please. I'm tired of stupid projective leftist invective w/o single basis or fact [hmm...talk about someone needing therapy...]
*creative license - I appreciate that you attempted to respond with your so called facts re: supposed career of Ms.Obama in University of Chicago Hospital. (even if oyu drown it in the sea of ad hominem directed at me personally - I'm nothing but tolerant whjen talking to mentally challengerd children).
Unfortunately, you were not paying attention to what I said earlier, namely:
-nobody is given more than a 100% raise, even when getting a promotion, even in a University environment, even with elevated level of responsibility. That's a bit too steep a raise.
-the fact that this raise was happening simultaneously with Ms. Obama's husband getting into a Senator seat, combined with the fact that he subsequently asked for earmarks for the hospital where his wife was employed in highly lucrative position, defeat your notion that the job was given to Ms. Obama as a recognition of her personal achievement and worth.
-the fact that the Hospital eliminated that position after Obamas moved to DC and since then did not reinstated it means that the position was a sinecure, having no value for the Hospital in itself.
Thus, your claim that Ms. Obama's position as VP in UOC Hospital was an indication of her personal accomplishment has no merit.
The rest of your rant is just barking. Forgive me if I'll not respond to it.
Time for dinner and a glass of a good Port Vine.
Addios.
sunspot42, I think that was meant for you. LOL.
nobody is given more than a 100% raise
Clearly you've never worked in corporate America. Executives get enormous raises all the time, especially when they accept new positions with enhanced responsibilities.
your notion that the job was given to Ms. Obama as a recognition of her personal achievement and worth.
Um, where did I express that quaint notion? Oh, that's right - I never did! Perhaps those stink eye rays have you seeing things, now. In fact, I strongly implied that her promotion probably had a lot to do with the same kind of nepotism that elevated our previous Commander 'n Chief into office. The difference being, Ms. Obama doesn't have the same track record of catastrophic failure possessed by her husband's predecessor. I don't know if she's all that, but your characterization of her as an "Empty-headed Affirmative-Action Vulgar Marxist spouse" is easily the looniest thing I've ever seen on Apartment Therapy. The woman clearly isn't an idiot, and had achieved a great deal of success in the private and public sector prior to her 2005 promotion.
the fact that the Hospital eliminated that position after Obamas moved to DC and since then did not reinstated it means that the position was a sinecure, having no value for the Hospital in itself.
Wrong again, but at least you're consistent. All it means is that the position was eliminated. You have no idea why. Corporations often eliminate management positions when an individual with a unique skillset departs, dispersing the responsibility over several other executives. Indeed, they frequently use such departures as an opportunity to realign the responsibilities of some or all of their senior executives.
Personally, I think they eliminated the position because they were afraid Michelle Obama and her stink eye might return one day to reclaim it. Like you, the executives at the University of Chicago Hospitals probably feared teh stink eye.
1) The First Lady looks lovely, and I always love to see the Obamas dancing.
2) Those apples look delicious!
3) Agree with Ruckus about the dreary beigeness
4) I want to love the chairs they're sitting on... but the gold frame - bleh. The print is pretty cool though.
5) Also a fan of the grasscloth wallpaper.
=)
yes the obamas look lovely but, really, from an outsider's perspective (European) this oohing and aaahing over the style, general lovability, absolute superness of your President and his wife and the general tone of all your fawning comments is reminiscent of a court in an absolutist monarchy... Tatyana, at least you bring a welcome breeze of dissent and Patrick, yes, a little humour, finally!
That is the trouble with the Obamas; they seem to drive irony right out of the window...
Sofia; I think the feeling of "fawing" stems from the fact that Americans are probably just happy to have such a young feeling couple in the White House after years of tired old men. The Obama's give a general feeling of "freshness" to America, the feeling that maybe we are not stuck in the same old, same old.
I love Michelle, I think she is sexy and classy and yes, our POTUS is doing the overbite thing!! I think Michelle gives POTUS some cool, don't you think? He's a great guy, but a bit of a nerd (I say that with a smile). I wish them many more years of dancing together.....:)
I actually dont think Michelle is really good looking. But man!she looks good in that pic. And she's been getting better looking as the months go by. I like her style. This photo has me seriously reconsidering eyeliner.
I wish Barack would get a stylist- atleast for formal events.
I just love it that they're having a good time together.
She looks modern & fresh, great look for the first and all the ladies.
Today I learned what Ad hominem means.
This is ridiculous. Remember what you (or 99% of you, sorry) said about Bush? He's a murderer, he's just dumb, a failure, can't speak, blah blah blah.... now, if someone doesn't fall over at how 'stunning' or 'inspiring' the Obamas are you are called mean spirited, hateful or are blamed for personal attacks. Or you 'learn what Ad Hominem means'... Give me a break.
I don't care about their looks, they're not celebrities, I don't think they're beautiful (and that doesn't mean i'm hateful). He's the president and should be a leader, not a fashion icon. I'm not as concerned with behind the scenes glimpses as what he's actually doing to the country. I don't think Obama's done a good job as president thus far either and I think the obsession and continued blind faith and starry eyes of the people here is comical.
If Michelle's dress or shopping at J.Crew is inspiring or even vaguely important to you then I don't know what to say.
k, attack me. i'm mean.
You're on a blog about aesthetics; people will talk about the things you apparently dont care about. I know, strange.
I visit this site for the architecture, home and product design, furniture, art, etc. You know, various things pertaining to the home and my passion for design. Therapy for apartments, you might even say. 'Aesthetics' isn't the problem.
strange?
I don't think Barry's done a good job either. But then, I don't think any of our presidents, liberals or conservatives, have done a good job. Too critical I guess.
He hasn't accomplished anything other than make sure I will be a very poor when I'm at the end of my life. But that would have happened no matter who was president.
Doesn't really matter anyway, since the world is going to end soon anyway.
lab director reads a post on a crappy Urban Outfitters sofa and picks up on nothing anyone says about quality or aesthetics, but says this about the right-wing head of the company: "it's refreshing to hear he's conservative. it's so annoying, cliche and tired for design/ art people to be hateful toward conservatives."
So we're not supposed to like a J.Crew dress because Michelle Obama wears it, but you are somehow gratified to learn that a cheapo sofa you never would have bought before is made by someone who shares your beliefs. Strange?
@ sally305, I'm honored you quoted me. You're right, I wasn't commenting on quality or aesthetics of urban outfitters furniture. I was reacting to comments i read regarding the CEO of U.O. being an awful conservative and how we should all avoid his company as a result. Others then proceeded to echo their sentiments, which I thought was annoying as I pointed out in that post.
Shop at J.Crew. Buy a stupid Hope poster. I don't care. I'm merely making observations here.
lab director,
Would you prefer the first lady wear a potato sack as an anti-fashion statement instead?
Like it or not, Americans have always, always been romantic about their presidents, at least when their respective "guy" is in office. It didn't start with Obama and it won't end with him. People had the same "starry eyes" for Kennedy, Roosevelt, and Reagan, amongst many others. We don't have royalty in this country upon whom we can project all our hopes, dreams, and aspirations- the president and his family are as close as we come. This is a sentiment shared by conservative columnist Peggy Noonan, by the way.
Besides, the majority of commentors were responding to the unnecessary attacks on Michelle's looks as a means of expressing dissatisfaction with her and her husband's politics. I may not be Sarah Palin's biggest fan, but I don't go around calling her an "ugly cow" because I find her views on foreign policy lacking. That type of thing comes across as petty and childish- does one really win the political fight with a point like this?
Unfortunately, this thread has become a perfect reflection of the sad state of modern political discourse.
"Unfortunately, this thread has become a perfect reflection of the sad state of modern political discourse."
I could not agree more. The gloves came off with Sarah Palin, the flames have been fanned by the right-wing media, and it is now considered totally acceptable by some to spew outright lies and hatred. Really, really sad.
@jayjay5: Oh. my. god. It is grasscloth wallpaper. :)