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Bonnie Fuller

Bonnie Fuller

Posted: June 17, 2010 02:16 PM

Michelle Obama, Why Are You Having a Hollywood Vacation While Your Husband Faces the Biggest Man-Made Disaster Ever?

What's Your Reaction:

Box seats at a Lakers/Celtics NBA playoff game, dinner with Ryan Seacrest at a Mario Batali eatery and now a Malibu beachside day at a billionaire's mansion ...

That's been Michelle Obama's schedule in the past few days.

While the President has been trying to finally convince the nation that he really is angry and alarmed over the 3 million gallons of oil that BP has leaked into the Gulf of Mexico, the Mrs. plus Sasha, Malia, and Michelle's mom, have been motorcading with a large entourage all over pricey hotspots in LA.

In fact, on Tuesday evening June 14, while her husband was addressing the nation from the Oval Office, in a very serious attempt to turn around his 83 percent disapproval rating on his handling of the oil crisis, the Mrs. was cheering on the Los Angeles Lakers.

Is it just me, or does this seem more than a little insensitive? I'm not saying that Michelle needed to be sitting by her husband's side while he gave his address to a worried nation, but was it really a good idea for her to be sitting in highly priced $5000-per-ticket LA Laker seats, at the very same time?

Thousands of Gulf residents have lost their businesses and their livelihood, thanks to the eight-week-long BP oil spill. Ocean and beachside wildlife are dying by the hundreds of thousands. People devastated by this disaster are getting poorer by the days; it doesn't seem to me to be appropriate for a public display of luxury lifestyle by the First Family.

Find out what else Michelle Obama did in La-la-Land while her husband struggled with the BP spill ... and why her luxe trip is just so outrageous!

 

Follow Bonnie Fuller on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bonniefuller

 
 
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MelanieMatthias
I am President Obama's biggest fan!
05:36 PM on 06/24/2010
So jealous.
11:17 AM on 06/24/2010
"Is it just me?"

Yes, Bonnie. It's just you. Nobody else believes this ridiculous column.

Have you ever considered a decaffeinated blend?
03:04 PM on 06/23/2010
"I'm not saying that Michelle needed to be sitting by her husband's side while he gave his address to a worried nation". Aren't you though? Otherwise this article is completely pointless.

She's the First Lady, which is an unelected position with no legislative or executive authority. What is she going to do? Its not like she can go clean up the spill, no one is allowed on the beaches. Its not like she can go talk to BP. It is her husband's job to hold people responsible. Its our job to make sure HE does it. Don't get it twisted.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HypocriticalSpamazon
09:01 PM on 06/23/2010
The people criticizing Michelle don't say what she should do. They just say she shouldn't be enjoying herself because it looks bad. It's beyond absurd.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
11:53 PM on 06/23/2010
It's absolute nonsense.
01:15 PM on 06/23/2010
I'm going to see if I can find the column where Bonnie Fuller critized Laura Bush for not going to Louisiana during Katrina. I will look in the archives and get back to you guys............
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HypocriticalSpamazon
01:21 PM on 06/23/2010
You'll be searching for a long time!

You won't find any criticism of Laura Bush for going on vacation, visiting the national parks, taking her family on Air Force One or any other many petty things Michelle is criticized for.
03:09 PM on 06/23/2010
Good luck!
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
09:58 AM on 06/23/2010
To answer your question no, I don't think it's insensitive at all. I do however think your article is insensitive AND irritating. THIS prez has been facing castastrophes since he's taken office...and, handling them admirably. What I would question instead is why YOU would choose to spin something so impressive, a loving mother and wife remaining focused, positive and supportive to her children during stressful times into a negative. I'm sure the Prez is deeply appreciative of what appears to me a display of emotional stability, and intelligence. Her ability to focus on her children takes quite a worry load off of him I'm sure. How nice it must be to not only NOT have to worry about whether she's popping pills, hitting the bottle or engaging in any other destructive behavior but to know that she's doing a great job nurturing their children as well. It allows him to better focus on being the best prez this country has seen
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HypocriticalSpamazon
12:32 PM on 06/23/2010
Nailed it!

Please note: No one has said a word about the absence of the governors' wives.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
12:08 AM on 06/24/2010
I know, because they really don't care about the presence or absence of anybody's wife. What they care about is finding criticism in the Obama's and in this case Michelle Obama. If Michelle were on the scene for every emergency or just this one, they'd be criticizing her for wanting to be Prez.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
noladebby
04:38 AM on 06/23/2010
As a Louisianan I am disgusted by this article. What's next? Let's criticize Sasha & Malia for playing with their friends instead of helping their dad with the spill. And what about Bo? Is he doing all he can regarding the spill? The level of pure hatred that is levied at this family is revolting. Nothing they do is good enough for anyone.
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09:35 AM on 06/23/2010
So true
09:26 PM on 06/23/2010
Agreed. Thanks.
12:04 AM on 06/23/2010
Are you kidding? This is what she signed up for!
Obama's a corporatist--he's sold out everyone but Big Business and the rest of the Corporate Party, and Michelle's obviously okay with that. Think she'd be looking so cheerful if she cared about sea turtles and health care for poor people?
03:43 PM on 06/23/2010
Sad but true. Obama has been a very mixed bag this past year. We've seen him play populist, promise reforms, then backtrack, then attempt to return somewhat to his promises. This was certainly the case with healthcare reform (which I still think it's very incomplete without the public option.) Same w/ CEO pay: he initially wanted to rein it in, and now his advisers want that provision out. I realize it can't be easy with all the Repugs and DINOs--I think everyone acknowledges that--but he needs to learn to put his foot down like FDR--or even Hoover. As long as he doesn't do that, everything else he does--and what Michelle does--will be criticized (rightly or wrongly) because there is a great deal of resentment out there about our skewed economy as Wall Street, CEOs and financiers (probably including the billionaire financier that Michelle visited) continue to earn huge bonuses while so many Americans are faced with unemployment and foreclosure.

The worrisome thing for Obama is that it's not just the irrational bagging wingnuts that are angry, but it's also the rational progressives as well: if we are disgusted enough, we might just decide to vote third party in 2012. I know am not going to vote Repug, but I'm not going to vote for the present Repug-lite Dem party either, which is what it has become.
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12:09 AM on 06/24/2010
Are YOU kidding? Your comment isn't really worth me saying much more.
11:21 PM on 06/22/2010
Now, I share my honest opinion on this subject and a "HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR" who goes by the handle of "noudidnt" responds by insinuating that I'm a "troll."

All this individual had to do was look at my posting history to see that it's not the case.

Disappointing.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
HypocriticalSpamazon
12:33 PM on 06/23/2010
Whine much?
02:46 PM on 06/23/2010
I have a thing for justice and fairness, not that, after reviewing your posts, I would expect you to understand such things.
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
goosie29
LIVE AND LET DIE
05:15 PM on 06/25/2010
You must respect my authority!!!!
07:36 PM on 06/25/2010
HA!

And I will not (bleep) with Wendy Testaburger. :)
08:03 PM on 06/22/2010
Now, I share my honest opinion on this subject and a "HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR" who goes by the handle of "noudidnt" responds by insiniuating that I'm a "troll."

All this individual had to do was look at my posting history to see that it's not the case.

Disappointing.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
BARRISTER
06:38 PM on 06/22/2010
How ridiculous can we get? What the hell does Mrs. Obama and her children have to do with the President's job? Nothing.

Whether she was in LA or Timbuktu it is really not relevant.

You are just looking to be noticed with your silly article.
03:03 PM on 06/22/2010
First off, It is Tuesday June 15th, not 14th. Why should it matter what Michelle Obama does? She is famous for one reason and one reason only, she married Barack. As far as I know, Michelle had no intention of being famous prior to her husband. She isn't the president, she doesn't make policy. She should be able to do whatever she wants.
03:02 PM on 06/22/2010
She was sitting in AEG's luxury box at Staples Center. Pink's is cheap. Pizzeria Mozza is trendy and Lucques is fine dining. Leave her alone, write about something of interest and don't be a hater, Bonnie! No other president would have the cajones to get $20 billion from BP before litigation, leave them alone.
02:29 PM on 06/22/2010
and if she had NOT been doing those things, all that was mentioned, there would no longer be a Gulf of Mexico oil issue?

my same attitude when Hayward went yachting with his son, so after how many days of the Gulf Oil issue, he suddenly is not entitled to a day or two off? or if he had not taken time off, there would suddenly no longer be a Gulf of Mexico oil issue?

life goes on, in other words.
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
rubygreen
02:15 PM on 06/22/2010
Okay Bonnie, shouldn't you be editorializing Ladygaga wearing her underwear to a Yankee's/Met's game, or Lohan having her latest meltdown, or Palin getting a boob job? I mean really, who takes you seriously?

Stop the nitpicking of the first family and do what you do best and that's reporting on complete B.S.
02:10 PM on 06/22/2010
When did we elect Michelle Obama? When did Laura Bush appear in New Orleans after Hurrican e Katrina?