Michelle Obama’s America–and mine
Barack Obama–the guy who effectively mocked the Clintons for not saying what they mean–is now trying to spin his wife’s comments by explaining that she, uh, didn’t really mean what she said.
I give you your morning snort-starter:
Democratic Sen. Barack Obama sought Tuesday to clarify his wife’s statement that she is proud of the U.S. “for the first time in my adult life.” He said her newfound pride is about the political system and was not meant to disparage her country…”Statements like this are made and people try to take it out of context and make a great big deal out of it, and that isn’t at all what she meant,” Obama said. “What she meant was, this is the first time that she’s been proud of the politics of America,” he said. “Because she’s pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she’s not alone. But she has seen large numbers of people get involved in the process, and she’s encouraged.”
Jim Hoft has the vid of Michelle Obama repeating the line twice. She meant what she said.
***
My column this week gives you two Michelles, two Americas. John Edwards was right after all!
Michelle Obama’s America—and mine
Michelle Malkin
Copyright Creators Syndicate 2008
Like Michelle Obama, I am a “woman of color.” Like Michelle Obama, I am a working mother of two young children. Like Michelle Obama, I am a member of the 13th Generation of Americans born since the founding of our great nation.
Unlike Michelle Obama, I can’t keep track of the number of times I’ve been proud—really proud—of my country since I was born and privileged to live in it.
At a speech in Milwaukee this week on behalf of her husband’s Democrat presidential campaign, Mrs. Obama remarked that “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country, and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.”
Mrs. Obama’s statement was met with warm applause from other Barack supporters who have apparently also been devoid of pride in their country for their adult lifetimes. Or maybe it was just a Pavlovian response to the word “change.” What a sad, empty, narcissistic, ungrateful, unthinking lot.
I’m just seven years younger than Mrs. Obama. We’ve grown up and lived in the same era. And yet, her self-absorbed attitude is completely foreign to me. What planet is she living on? Since when was now the only time the American people have ever been “hungry for change?” Michelle, ma belle, Barack is not the center of the universe. Newsflash: The Obamas did not invent “change” any more than Hillary invented “leadership” or John McCain invented “straight talk.”
We were both adults when the Berlin Wall fell, Michelle. That was earth-shattering change.
We’ve lived through two decades’ worth of peaceful, if contentious election cycles under the rule of law that have brought about “change” and upheaval both good and bad.
We were adults through several launches of the Space Shuttle, in case you were snoozing. [Ed. note: Speaking of which, welcome back, Atlantis!] And as adults, we’ve witnessed and benefited from dizzyingly rapid advances in technology, communications, science, and medicine pioneered by American entrepreneurs who yearned and succeeded to change the world. You want “change?” Go ask the patients whose lives have been improved and extended by American pharmaceutical companies who have flourished under the best economic system in the world.
If the fall of communism, American ingenuity, and a robust constitutional republic don’t do it for you, hon, then how about American heroism and sacrifice?
How about every Memorial Day? Every Veteran’s Day? Every Independence Day? Every Medal of Honor ceremony? Has she never attended a welcome home ceremony for the troops?
For me, there’s the thrill of the Blue Angels roaring over cloudless skies. And the somber awe felt amid the hallowed waters that surround the sunken U.S.S. Arizona at the Pearl Harbor memorial.
Every naturalization ceremony I’ve attended, where hundreds of new Americans have raised their hands to swear an oath of allegiance to this land of liberty, has been a moment of pride for me. So have the awesome displays of American compassion at home and around the world. When millions of Americans rallied to help the victims of the 2005 tsunami in southern Asia—including members of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group that sped from Hong Kong to assist survivors—my heart filled with pride. It did again when the citizens of Houston opened their arms to Hurricane Katrina victims and folks across the country rushed to their churches, Salvation Army, and Red Cross offices to volunteer.
How about American resilience? Does that not make you proud? Only a heart of stone could be unmoved by the strength, valor and determination displayed in New York and Washington and Shanksville, Pa., on September 11, 2001.
I believe it was Michael Kinsley who quipped that a gaffe is when a politician tells the truth. In this case, it’s what happens when an elite Democrat politician’s wife says what a significant portion of the party’s base really believes to be the truth: That America is more a source of shame than pride.
Michelle Obama has achieved enormous professional success, political influence, and personal acclaim in America. Ivy League-educated, she’s been lauded by Essence magazine as one of the 25 World’s Most Inspiring Women; by Vanity Fair as one of the “10 World’s Best Dressed People; and named one of “The Harvard 100″ top influencers. She has had an amazingly blessed life. But you wouldn’t know it from her campaign rhetoric and her griping over her and her husband’s student loans.
For years, we’ve heard liberals get offended at any challenge to their patriotism. And so they are again aggrieved and rising to explain away Mrs. Obama’s remarks.
Like Lady MacBeth*, Lady Michelle and her defenders protest too much.
***
Update: Yes, my English teachers are going to kill me. The Shakespeare reference is to Hamlet, not MacBeth!
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- Michelle Malkin » Dedicated to Michelle Obama: Do I make you proud?
MM - John Wayne couldn’t have said it better. Well done!
Great piece, Michelle.
The problem is Michelle Obama and her husband’s supporters think socialism/communism *is* better, and it’s no surprise the start of her adult years (1982) coincide with Reagan’s presidency.
There are things America has done that haven’t been great. But those bad things are far outstripped by all the good things and the freedoms America has afforded her people.
I would not, as a woman, want to live in any other country. Even from its inception, women in America have had more freedom than women in certain parts of the world.
There is a lot to be proud of here. My only disappointment would be if people fall for this America-hating prattle and make Obama president.
Bo & MO are both elitist twits. Of course, she meant every word of what she said. This is the way an effete liberal places emphasis on their emoting.
Really, the whole affair only cements the fact that these people are fake, phony and utterly fabricated facsimiles of sincerity. Perhaps going through the political process changes one? Perhaps the process only changes those too weak to resist? One word for Michelle O=Blow hard….
I understand that her Master’s thesis is being held by Princeton (?) until mid-November, and is racially tinged by title. Any truth to this? I wonder what impact it would have if published? What does she really believe, and by extension, what does Barrack really believe? The odd thing is that these questions seem to go unanswered due to lack of questioning.
Ms Malkin,
Great article! Side note, I was stationed in Berlin during the fall of the wall. I know many Germans that are proud to call America it’s special friend.
Incredible article, Michelle!
When I first heard about Michelle Obama saying that, I was wondering if she was referring to all the liberal/progressive policies of the last 120 years or so. You know, the ones that drove rural blacks into the inner cities to live in pure poverty, the ones that massively increased the crime rates, the ones that kill the unborn, and so on.
Then I realized, no, she probably relishes those policies, thinks they are great. She just doesn’t like America, like most liberals, and is loaded with guilt.
Of course, if the liberal elite had had their way 50+ years ago, her parents would have been sterilized, so there would be no Michelle Obama.
And of course in the 70’s we legalized the murder of innocent babies…
Are we PROUD of that???
Oh the perils of starting a run for the White House a year before the norm.
Weve seen Hillary’s camp go down in flames from foot in mouth disease.
They all came out to early and should have figured every single move they made would be scrutinized to the bone like paparazzi at an oj or britney
functiontrial.This wasnt a gaffe it was hari kari, when push comes to shove Americans do look for a first lady with class, dignity and patriotism not what she is bringing to the table by a long shot.
This was like handing McCain the Golden Goose.
I wonder when Michelle’s husband will be proud enough to wear an American flag lapel pin in public.
I wonder if she’s ever been proud to live in a country where women are allowed - no - encouraged to speak their minds publically?
I wonder if she’s ever been proud to live in a country where true hunger is an anomaly or that she enjoys a legal system that isn’t rfie with corruption or religious dogma?
I wonder if she’s ever been proud to live in a country that encourages people to reach for the public stature she’s achieved?
I wonder if she’s ever been rpoud of living in a country whose society doesn’t have a true class or caste system that pre-supposes your place in life and destiny.
No, Michelle - I don’t think she’s really proud - not even now. She’s as political as her husband and is a future Hillary wannabe.
It’s not the content of her message that was important to the the fools in the audience - it was the delivery that made them cheer. All show - no substance - no forthought.
Bravo Michelle bravo!. you it hit out of the ball park with bases loaded.
On February 20th, 2008 at 8:15 am, wrcnossen said:
MM - John Wayne couldn’t have said it better.
As well as Thomas Jefferson, Benjaman Franklin, James Madison, you get my point. I observe Ms Obama and she comes across as someone with a very big chip on her shoulders.
We must remember though she is not running for POTUS. Remember what happen in 1992 talked about Hillary at the Rebulican Convention alot not really focusing on Bill. I have a feeling they are taking a piece from the Clinton Play Book. It wouldn’t be the first time Obama has used plagiarism IMHO.
Every word is true….They say what is so easy for them and their party.
Excellent column, Michelle!
It is becoming apparent to me that Ms Obama may well become a loose cannon and a serious liability for her husband should he win the nomination. She reminds me of TeRAYza in 2004.
An interesting point.
Believe me, I think Obama will win the nomination now that he’s taken Wisconsin, but the wheels will come of his chariot of fire, so to speak.
It is my only hope that their own hatred of America will be their undoing. The MSM talks about the “youth vote” and “young voters” but forgets that - by and large - older Americans vote more consistently. And I hope most of them - who remember all the good America has done - won’t buy what the Obamas are selling.
One thing, however - can you imagine how utterly depressed and despondent the left will be if Obama loses? After Kerry’s loss in 2004, it was like someone died…everyone I worked with was devastated, to the point of tears. I don’t know if I can deal with that again. On the other hand, their unmitigated glee at electing the president who will destroy America will be nauseating as well…
Or Al Gore the Internet…
This story will go away as the MSM will make it happen. They won’t allow this to linger on.
So now we will have a b**** for a 1st Lady who has had no pride in her country, and a Pres. who won’t wear the flag, salute it, or say the pledge.
Again - no Communist will sign my discharge papers - 4 more years !
Michelle Obama said what she meant, and meant what she said. I think she hates America as it has been. Now she sees a chance that it will all change over to HER America. The one of shared misery and hopelessness. No one ever gets ahead and the greatest nation in the history of the world comes crashing down. Then she, and her liberal twit cohorts, can really be proud of America.
I simply cannot believe people are stupid enough to vote for Obama. I went to his website to educate myself on his beliefs. Yikes! November is scaring the hell out of me.
To quote well-liked Star Trek The Next Generation character Capt. Jean-Luc Picard (so nobody thinks I am plagiarizing
), I’ve always been proud.
Great column Michelle, great writing, I love your passion and style.
I hope at the presidential debates, John McCain wears a hugh American Flag on his lapel and asks for the National Anthem to be played while he salutes the Flag…..Do you think Obama would look away or turn around??? If he doesn’t he’s a hypocrit.
I don’t think that explanation was helpful. Instead it is another display of liberal dissing of America. We have an incredible political process that is open to all that wish to get involved. Whenever I hear this complaint it is invariably from somebody that has never written a letter to a congressman, gone to a rally, donated in a political party and doesn’t even bother to vote. There are numerous ways to express ones views and be heard in this country and those that are cynical about it haven’t made an effort. I think this is called the Democrat Party base.
ot-
shuttle is landing now….fox has it.
There are indeed two America’s…..the bottom crawlers….and the rest of us….the anti-Americans…and the rest of us….the socialist, communist, leftists….and the rest of us….
I am proud to be part of the rest of us
Very well done Michelle (Malkin).
As someone said on a message board here yesterday, Michelle Obama will always have to live with her words “For the first time, I’m proud of my country” that were said under the George Bush Presidency.
Proud of you, Michelle M.! MO is a spoiled brat.
If this guy becomes President, I smell mutiny…
He won’t salute the flag, and his wife hates her country?!?!? What in the name of God is going on here?!?!?
I never, ever thought I would see the day where being unpatriotic was considered a good thing in a candidate. He should be running for Berkeley city council. Not for the President of the United States Of America!!!
Only the stinking democraps could seriously run such a clown for president.!!
Now this is the Michelle Malkin I love.
Outstanding Post
Great column, Michelle. I’m three years older than Michelle Obama, and if I begin the list of things I’ve been proud of this country for in my adult life, it goes far beyond any barrier of column inches or word counts.
Watching the Obama acolytes try to spin away what that woman said would be laughable if it wasn’t so disgusting. Or to paraphrase “Horton Hears a Who”:
She meant what she said,
And she said what she meant;
An ungrateful jackass, one-hundred percent.
I like the way Whittaker Chambers said the same thing:
“Innocence has no need for outraged shrieks. Guilt does.”
Q.E.D.
Just caught the shuttle landing (thanks, aj) - how can ANY citizen of this country NOT have their chest swell with pride over even such a “simple” thing as an aircraft landing?
Ten wins in a row by this bag of wind, what does that say about the dems other choice. lol.
McCain 08
100 times better than them both
Wonderful writing, Michelle.
I concur.
It was her senior thesis and it is racially tinged.
Again, from the Newsweek cover story:
The typical senior thesis is a meticulously researched piece of scholarship. Most students obsess over their thesis all senior year. Most of my classmates still have bound copies of their thesis at home or at work. In fact, the thesis counts as one yearlong course.
Until MO releases her thesis, it’s a reasonable guess it was little more than “What I Did in My Four Years at Princeton: An Oppressed Womyn’s Tale.”
As to her not recalling what she wrote, “Ha!”
He obviously hates America. And his wife. Personally, I think all flag-waving Americans should panic about this. Can we not take this nation back to the good old days of blind patriotism?
Thank you, Michelle. Well said.
I had been thinking about voting for Hillary in the TX primary, since the GOP race is all but over, but lately I’ve been thinking like the people at Talkleft–that Obama might be the new McGovern. He might be more beatable than Hillary. He probably has the nomination in the bag, now, in any case.
If any candidate or candidate’s spouse other than the Obamas made this idiotic remark, that candidate would be gone from the presidential race. But with the Obamas, the MSM has a very protective attitude. The guy from NBC admitted that he won’t cover any negative news about the Obamas. Chris Matthews that his legs tingle at the sight of an Obama. And the whole crew at Good Morning America and the Today get positively giddy at Obama mania. Nobody will ask Barack: “Senator Obama: Your wife is a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School. She worked at Sidley and Austin, one of America’s largest and prestigious law firms. She currently works in one of Chicago’s great hospitals. How is it that she can’t express herself properly and omits parts of sentences that she really meant to add?” Then somebody could ask Obama: “If your wife was only referring to the “political system” why didn’t she say those words? She was trained at Harvard Law School and at Sidley and Austin to be precise in her language. Why was she suddenly imprecise?”
And I find it amazing that nodbody in the MSM and nobody in the Clinton campaign has bothered to mention that Barack Obama devoted alot of his time in the legislature seeking to abolish the death penalty.
no kidding tiger, I can still remember assignments from the 7th grade with not near the importance as University term papers. her and hillary should get together and do a thesis/archive book.
oprah can promote it.
The quote depends on which version of the speech you heard.
The word really wasn’t in her original speech. It was inserted only after she got some feedback on how bad it sounded.
Michelle,
Thank you for a wonderful article! I must be a low brow knuckle dragger for the amount of pride I have always taken in being an American and the actions of my fellow citizens. Especially those willing to risk their all so we can sleep soundly in our beds at night.
“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country.”
I don’t know… that doesn’t sound so bad to my ears. First, in context, it sounds to me like she’s talking about the governmental/political aspects of this country. That mutes a lot of the criticism. Obviously there is plenty in this country for which to be proud. Many countrymen of whom to be proud. Second, note the “really.” This doesn’t mean she hasn’t been proud before. This is just the first time she’s been “really” (or “fully” proud).
And with regards to the government, I’m certainly more proud of what this country was and what it was supposed to be than of what it has become. I just have really high standards, set by the wise and idealistic fathers of this rights-based nation. Proud of the space shuttle? Maybe if it wasn’t funded by taking money from citizens by force. The fall of communism? Don’t know if that can rightly go in our “win” column — it destroyed itself more than anything. I’m proud that our country retains some of the principles upon which she was founded. I’m proud of the parts of this country that understand and value the Second Amendment. I’m proud of government officials who speak out about corruption or resign because of their conscience, just as I’m proud of the honest ones who have no need to speak out. I’m proud of our military — certainly one of the most well-trained in the world. I’m proud that I can criticize the government without expecting a knock at the door. So I’m proud enough of this country, but “really proud” would be ignorant of or insulting to what she should (and could) be
P.S. NOT voting for Obama. Just in case anyone was inclined to go there.
Fantastic column this week Michelle
I must admit there have been a few times in my life that I have been disappointed …
1) Pulling out of Viet Nam too soon … courtesy of a Dem Congress
2) Embarassing failure to rescue the US Embassy hostages in Iran … courtesy of a Dem president (Carter)
3) BlackHawk down … courtesy of a Dem president (Clinton)
4) Failure to get OBL when we had him in our sites … courtesy of a Dem president (Clinton)
5) Dismantling of the US intelligence services leading to an attack on our homeland (9/11) … courtesy of a Dem president (Clinton)
Amazingly all of those have been a result of either action or inaction by Dems that were in charge …
Sandy Berger can get that thesis. I bet he’s already on the case. Heh.
I can’t be proud because, I have been fortunate and because of that I have felt guilty and because of that I have been forced to be angry to not have to feel guilty and for the first time I can be proud to be like one of you and hate America for what it has done…and…and..and…
Right, heard it before.
Mark (#37) - You are thinking this through too much. She spoke the truth by mistake. Don’t try and save her.
Michelle,
As a Black American, I take offense at Michelle Obama’s elitist drivel. This is the greatest country on the face of the planet and I would rather be here than anywhere else.
P.S. Michelle, check your gmail, i sent you a pic that you might find interesting. It is a pic of some bumper stickers on my car that have a message that you’ll like
Thanks Michelle, we needed that!
aj, Seventh grade? Let’s see, Truman was President—–
Great article, Michelle.
I typically don’t find myself agreeing with anything Michael Kinsley says but he may have been on to something.
As always, a fantastic article Michelle.
As I said in a previous post, when MO was at Princeton I was in the Army. When she was at Harvard Law I was at a State University (USF to be exact). She’s a spoiled brat. As others have said, I remember writing a “thesis” on Judy Garland & the Trans-Siberian RR in fourth grade and every other serious paper. I still have dreams/nightmares about my MA Thesis on O.O. Howard. I believe she can’t remember her Senior Thesis about as
# 38 & 39, right on and got a chuckle out of old Sandy Bergular.
Powerful, wonderful column…
We do need to stay on top of these MO-ments, because I gurantee that somewhere in Michelle’s ungrateful little mind she’s looking ahead to being the first female black president — after her snory-stinky baby daddy’s eight years are over that is….
Dang should have hit preview first-should read “about as much as I believe in the Easter Bunny & Santa”.
#37 said:
Second, note the “really.” This doesn’t mean she hasn’t been proud before. This is just the first time she’s been “really” (or “fully” proud).
There are two different videos of two speeches, in one she DOES NOT say “really”….
Michelle Obama proves just how readily liberals are willing to drink their own Kool Aid.
Obviously she’s had moments of pride, her children, her husband and she’s 44, surely sometime in her life she’s felt pride from something that occurred in her country.
Admitting it though isn’t a benefit for her husband’s candidacy.
Her discounting the greatness of her nation and her exploit of victimology, is.
So she does believe in the need for change, she’s made it so.
M.O. is a product of her liberal education. As Larry Elder says conservatives believe what they see and liberals [M.O.] SEE what they believe!!!
Liberals truly are mentally ill!
Michelle Obama insinuates she was the victim her whole life and never had a reason to be proud of this country and the opportunities it’s afforded her and her husband.
Change? What kind of change will the Obama’s bring. It’s not always for the best. I wish he’d detail some of the specifics he has in mind.
Mark #37
See #35 and #47.
Excellent Michelle! For one so young you have a great perspective on life. I only hope my daughter and my grandson make me as proud as your parents must be of you!
lol countrybumkin,
nope it was Nixon.
Your response to Michelle Obama was absolutely brilliant.. I can hear John Wayne now ” I coud’nt have said it better myself, Pilgram ”
Taraque
Outstanding column.
If Obama is our 44th President it will reflect just how many other people hate their country as much as the liberal elite do….They think America is the reason for the world’s ills. Her statement was completely typical and I believe she really feels this way. BTW when was the last time hope and change was actually a policy issue? Snake oil anyone?
Outstanding column, Michelle.
Very well stated, and right on the mark.
The ignorance and laziness of people in this country who are allowing themselves to be charmed and hypnotized by Pied Piper Obama, continues to amaze me.
It speaks poorly of the electorate that so many are willing to rally around the word “change” when they have little or no idea what kind of “change” is actually being promoted by the Obamas.
In their rush to vote a “miracle worker” into the office of POTUS, they fail to understand that they, along with their loved ones, are going to pay a terrible price for that “change”. For generations to come.
John McCain may not be the perfect candidate but he’s going to be very tough on Barack Obama, no doubt about it. I suspect that he’ll waste no time ripping the covers off of Obama the pipers’ inexperience while beating him over the head with it.
Barack Obama should be afraid of McCain… very afraid. His pretty little charade is built upon a foundation of smoothing talking and deception, and its’ going to crumble down around him like a slice of old cheese at the first debate.
As for the politically naive Mrs. Obama, her words were very (very) revealing… and all of the backpedalling in the world will not fix that gaffe.
This is not someone that I care to see representing this country as First Lady, thats’ for sure.
Thanks Michelle - again!!!
The fact that she inserted “really” in her speech when she gave it a second time, indicates that she wanted a way to spin her comment but didn’t want to take out the applause line.
This type of calculation shows what politicians think of all of us. Unforunately, too many who vote never do any research. They are easily led by the the media.
Three cheers to Michelle Malkin for your article and ten demerits for the whining would be first lady.
Let us hope that Republicans prevail so that we can leave these defeatist, glass half full folks in the dust for another 4 years.
I am proud of America, always have been, always will be.
I’m curious, of course, exactly what this “change” is they’ve been chanting about now for months. Sounds like a Hindu mantra. How are they going to change whatever it is, what is this change going to cost in terms of taxing the working folks and our liberties? Personally I think it will be a change from a free country to a socialist/Marxist state. There is enough of a democrat majority in Congress along with a socialist/Marxist president to make it happen.
God help us.
Well said, great column.
Until you post Michelle Obama’s comments leading up to the video clip that you posted yesterday your column goes into realm of hysterical fake outrage. The same goes for all the conservative talk show hosts, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, etc.
Why are you afraid to post this?, or even a link to her speech at C-Span so people can decide for themselves, instead of a clipped video quote taken completely out of context?
Leading up to the quote you mention Michelle Obama talked about the bar being raised for the Obama campaign each time they achieved success, everyone saying that they could not win Iowa, everyone saying they couldn’t organize at the grassroots, everyone saying they couldn’t raise money and everyone saying that they couldn’t win states all across this nation, etc. That is what Michelle Obama was referring to in the quote you are talking about.
Later in the speech she said our country is a great nation when talking about how we are first in the world to assist nations less fortunate than us. Hmmm… did we see video of that? Wonder why?
Video of Michelle’s speech is posted at C-Span’s website, http://www.cspan.org/
then look under ‘Recent Programs’ and look for ‘Michelle Obama in Wisconsin’.
Yep Michelle, you know that I’ve been a loyal reader from the beginning in 2004, sent you many tips over the years, promoted your books and websites at Free Republic, at Hannity’s forum, sent tips about your books and great blog posts to local talk show hosts here in Colorado countless times as Mike Rosen, Dan Caplis, Jon Caldara and Gunny Bob Newman would attest too, we are both true Reagan conservatives, etc., etc., etc.
BUT it doesn’t matter that we may be in the same realm politically because you know that you are being intellectually dishonest here. Any fair minded person can see that (not talking about most of the choir commenting here).
The next time your comments get taken out of context you have ZERO foundation to stand on in showing outrage, because with this column and your blog post yesterday you have undermined your credibility by not presenting all the facts, just a clipped quote from a speech with no context. That’s how liberals and the wacko leftists operate, NOT Michelle Malkin!
You may be giving them too much credit, gandolph.
Great column Michelle.
She left you a hanging curveball and you belted it out of the park.
These people are socialists…no more, no less. They make Carter look right-wing. If the GOP can’t figure out a way to defeat them, we are in for a rough 4 years…possibly 8 years.
It is very difficult to defeat a populist/socialist when he gets nothing but favorable media coverage. I don’t know if McCain can. He wasn’t even remotely my first choice, but considering the alternative, I’ll have to vote in his favor. Hell, I’d vote for almost anyone rather than Obama.
Semper Fi
Leave Michelle Obama alone!
That’ll never get old.
Anywho, great column Michelle! you’ve done good.
Liberalism is all about Convincing people of how it Isn’t and things are so bad no matter what….
They tell you it Cloudy when the Sun is shining bring, the tell you you are sad, when they are in a state of glee. And they tell you your life is falling apart, when things are falling in line.
I’m just wondering did Ms. Obama help out on Rev Jesse’s campaign or on Rev Al’s campaign, when they were running for POTUS. I do believe these campaigns happen in her life time. Oh that’s right this is the first campaign she is proud of in her country. /Sarc off
So Mr. B.H. Obama the politic angle will not work with me. She meant what she said, you can sugarcoat it all you want. I believe she has a great dislike for this country like a majority of Libs IMHO. As I stated before she comes across to me as having a very big chip on her shoulder.
I well remember the “Wall” coming down, I was in Berlin, GE 1985-1988, at Andrews Kaserne (Barracks) and those of us who were there then never thought it would come down in our lifetimes. Momentous change it was
I remember BEING in East Berlin in 1979. Also also remember the wall coming down.
It really angers me to hear comments like this…”first time in my adult life”.
Obviously she grew up with horse blinders on.
She and her ilk are the only ’shames of America’ that I can see. She’s a spoiled b…ch and she’ll play the race card if her hand is forced. She’s a Jesse Jackson reveler no doubt.
Olympian #61
I tried to view Mrs. Obama’s speech that you indicated was at cspan.org but was unable to view it. Was this her first version or her second?
Thanks for writing what an old white male is not allowed to express. And yes, these two are elitists, accepted in circles I could never travel in….I’m too southern, too patriotic, too poor, and too conservative!
Outstanding, Michelle! Simply outstanding!
Michelle Malkin bashed for questioning Sherry Palm … er, um, Michelle Obama’s patriotism in 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 …
Michelle, in one of your posts, you ask the NYT to “check your hyperlinks.” You should probably check yours, since the very first link you provide above (”not saying what they mean”)goes to nowhere.
Video with both speeches . . .first without the word “really” followed immediately with clip of speech with the word “really”
MM … excellent commentary.
Well, M.O. missed a perfect opportunity to wave one of the Che flags on display in some of their campaign offices, when she gave this speech.
Viva la revolucion, Senora Obama?
Sausage, I suppose moving forward to “blind sedition” would be more to your liking…
Olympian, you have never shown by any of your posts that you are in the “same realm politically” as MM. So, why don’t you go pound sand with self righteous indignation!!!
Michelle Malkin, is right on target!!!
PS.. nice name dropping for Colorado conservative talk show hosts… I’m sure you and the Gunny are best buds!
Michelle, well said! You awe me again and inspire me to always be proud of who I am, of my country, and how good I really have it here! The US has always made me proud because I’m not only the daughter of a babyboomer but Depression-era baby.
My father used to regale me with stories of what the Depression looked and felt like but how the community he lived in came together to see it through. Perhaps, this is the reason why I put away most of my money in my bank account when I began working at the age of 16. My mother grew up poor, was physically and emotionally abused, and kicked out of her own home. She did not let this defeat her. She got her own job, her own apartment, her own car, and her own education. Without the strength and the determination of my parents and my immigrant forefathers, I wouldn’t be the 32 year old woman I am today. The US is the only country where you can actually rise from poverty and make something out of yourself and live the American Dream.
As to Michelle Obama, you’re obviously not living in the same America that I am. How sad. Then again, I live in a racially mixed community where there are many upper middle class blacks who complain about the country and how they’re “struggling.” Ms. Obama is just another reason why I turned my back on the Dems a long time ago and never looked back.
I would suggest to Michelle Obama that it’s time to stop playing the victimization card as a professional, successful black woman. It’s getting old. Anybody (and I mean anybody) can make it in this country if they’re
hard-working and determined. Yet, there are many of all races who live in poverty, on the government dole, or suffering from broken families or substance abuse problems who blame their troubles on this country. I’m sick of it.
As to the Obama followers: all I can do is ask, who are you people? My gut clenches with anger every time I see these folks fawning over the Obamas. It makes me sick that they even agree with what Michelle Obama says. Where’s the hope, the unity, the change? All I’m seeing is the old Dem theme of America is terrible, America is the problem, America sucks. Is this the kind of America the Obama’s are living in?
It is also insulting to see this display as a military spouse. If the Obama’s think that this will ingratiate them with the military, think again. I’ve already seen a lot of two-facedness in my time from both political parties regarding the military and it’s alarming that Obama is anywhere close to becoming CIC.
PS - It’s okay - ewe right more gooder than most.
Sincerely,
Michelle’s English Teachers
If Michelle Obama is flummoxed to find anything in America of which to be proud, how about the liberation of Kuwait? Or pioneering the Internet revolution? Or exploring space? Or developing all those wonderful medical gadgets, like the MRI, which help restore people’s health?
The bottom line is that the Obamas are the same old lefty haters repackaged and rebranded. It’s becoming more clear that the reason the Obamas harp on change so much is that they think everything about America is wrong.
Come on Olympian, tell us the truth. Are you really Geraldo Rivera trolling this site?
Hey, I think she plagiarized her stuff from Jane Fonda. Sounds familiar.
I guess Ms. Obama needs to travel outside of this country to realize how good she really has it here.
Unless you’ve done that, you really don’t know. And I’m not talking about taking a vacation to Bermuda.
She needs to go visit some eastern European countries, go to Russia, spend some time in Western Europe.
When she gets back, I bet the first thing she’ll say is, “wow, it’s nice to be home.”
We can give her the benefit of the doubt that when she said she was for the first time in her adult life “proud of her country” she meant “proud of the current political system”. But let’s deconstruct that a bit. Does she think of the country as its political climate and not its people within that system/climate? She doesn’t mean the Constitution, that hasn’t changed in 235ish years. And as John Adams famously said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”. Political systems come and go, what persists is its people, America is its people. Let’s say you have a congregation that builds a beautiful new church building and the pastor’s wife looks at it and says “This is the first time I’ve been proud of this church”. You’d be like, “what?”. The church isn’t the building, the church is the people. To try to get into M.O.’s mind for a minute. In the last 20 years, think of Michael Jordan, Bill Cosby, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey. Nearly universally admired and respected by everyone, without any concern for their skin color. Wasn’t she at least proud of a country that can take that attitude? And Michelle M., how can you POSSIBLY be proud of a country with such a lack of Filipino role models in its public life?!
That’s quite possibly the best column you’ve ever written, Michelle. I’ll at least say that you’ve never written any better, and few writers have.
Thanks.
Wow, Just Wow Michelle. I read this at home just before leaving for work and came up with a long, long list of things I am proud about for our country. But I am most proud today for 4000 plus things (Americans) who have made it possible for me to sit here safely and kvetch about trivial problems.
She slipped out a democratic party truism, and the “spin doctors” went into overtime, going crazy. Phones rang for hours, I’m sure. Thanks Michelle. It’s always interesting coming to this site.
I AM and have ALWAYS been proud of our country! I am also proud that my son has been a corpsman in the United States Navy for the last 9 years!!!
Spot on Mark.
This a typically well-written Malkin post…she is one of the most talented bloggers on the net, no doubt about that. However, it’s also pretty typically filled with demagoguery and hyperbole…olympian makes a very valid point.
Olympian:
Excuse me while I don’t suspend my cynicism that you’re even remotely a regular reader of MM or even in the same political realm as MM. You’d be surprised how many Coloradans disagree with you.
Michelle,
Your English teachers notwithstanding, you get an A++
My previous comment also applies to Dakine and Mark as well. You may want to wish away Michelle Obama’s words but Utube will make sure they last a long, long time. Sorry, not buyin’……..
It appears that BO is channelling John Lovitz’s Tommy Flanagan character from SNL.
Now now, I’m sure she has just been listening to her goodly priest.
Senator Obama is against divisive politics…so the flag wavers are part of America too…he wants us in the fold? Michelle Obama’s negative rhetoric won’t cut it and it does make me wonder, they are husband and wife and close…is one faking the hope? How can Michelle Obama be so accomplished and carry this hopelessness about her country around for so many years? If Mrs Obama is singing to their choir, she needs to consider her husband is running for the highest office in the land, and we all are listening to the Obama’s tune. Not quite ready for prime time players? I don’t know if they are ready for American Bandstand.
The product of the 60s is now the problem of the first decade of the 21st century. These Obanas are victim first whiners. They are like Jackson and Sharpton - only they speak more eloquently.
“What she meant was, this is the first time that she’s been proud of the politics of America,” he said. “Because she’s pretty cynical about the political process, and with good reason, and she’s not alone”.
If America is simple enough to buy this spin, America deserves what it gets. She meant what she said.
I have said it more than once on this blog…I have eyes and ears, and a brain…I don’t need a paid mouthpiece from either party, to “tell me what the candidate (or their spouse) really said!”
My message to the liberal hitmen…”I am not a Hillary supporter, so don’t insult my intelligence!!!!” Try sticking to her demographic support base.
That would be more accurate if you meant the Democrat Party platform for the last 60 years or so. Liberals ARE demagoguery and hyperbole.
I’m very proud of America, always have been. I’m proud of Michelle Malkin, too. She hit this one over the wall!
Two words dakine learned this week and added to his vocabulary to impress us and show his superiority over us.
DUH-HUH
A co-worker told me today that the first wave of relief helicopters were launched before the carrier was in range for them to make a return trip without refueling (which I know can be done while in flight).
If this is true, it means those pilots put themselves at greater risk in order to get there just a few hours earlier.
Is it just me or does Michelle Obama look to be the equivalent for Barack Obama that Teresa Heinz was for John Kerry with her spontaneous utterances?
Like I said earlier, I don’t typically agree with Michael Kinsley but he may be on to something with his theory on gaffes. At this point, Michelle Obama is just as much a politician as her husband is in this race.
aj, Truman was pres when I was in seventh grade.
I’ve burned thru my three score and ten and I’m in Sudden Death Overtime.
That’s right boys and girls, today’s secret word is demagogue. So, when you hear someone say it, jump up and down and scream real loud.
I got 4 words for Michelle Obama: bitter party of one.
Raisedright:
Don’t forget that other special word that Dakine likes to use: hyperbole. It’s a cool-sounding word and makes you look smart too. Oh, and it’s a favorite of high school English classes and SAT prep courses. For example: Dakine loves to use hyperbole to emphasize how self-righeous he/she can be on a daily basis.
SIMPLY GREAT, MICHELLE MALKIN!
I’m sure you could’ve gone on and on…I know I sure could.
this I wanted to see again…
&
BINGO!
I thought about starting a list, maybe someone will (or has) but there are not enough hours in the day to list how proud I am of America.
a few thoughts…..
Every Day we help and save lives in multiple other countries….on OUR dime.
Independence Day-Each and every year I thank GOD I live in America. ( actually I do this every day, but the 4th of July in America is soooo special)
Berlin Wall- I was inside East Berlin before the wall came down. No words can describe the sadness.
Maybe Mrs. B. Hussein should go live somewhere else, somewhere not “as free” as we are here in the US of A, for just a few years.
The truth is that she has told us what she believes.
Obama has hid what he really is, but thru his church and his voting and past life we now know what they both are.
Proud Americans, they are NOT!
Therefor -
They are NOT a couple that should EVER enter the halls of the White House.
NOT EVER!
Good sentence (though I’m not sure anyone could exaggerate dakine’s self-righteousness.) I think he must have just learned hyperbole. But check out the “What Michelle Obama Said” thread, he’s been throwing demagogue around there too.
Things never change, and alot in the us feel like miss Obama. Most are easily bought with greed and promises of more. This nation isn’t the America my grandfather risked life and limb for.
emjem and RR,
WOW, I am glad somebody else noticed. I thought it was just me.
Let’s see now, can I make a statement on this thread that will show I can do anything but humor that will add to it?
Demagoguery? Naw, been done.
Hyperbole? Naw, that has been done too.
Proud - nope.
Bingo - done.
HMMMMM
soap…you forgot “Goldwater Conservative.”
Ok, soap - get your head out of the thesaurus
Can’t See The Forest For The Trees To Appreciate
How can even the most jaded person not be proud of the 1st lunar landing — a true rite of passage of all humanity and civilization that will likely be the most — if not the only — major event remembered of our age a thousand years hence.
James Greenidge
Queens New York
Great article Michele!
My post about this incident is entitled, Obama Rama Ding-BAT
Well, I wish I could just say that it was an ordinary, ding-bat kind of “verbal gaffe” or a “misstatement.” Why can’t we give her the benefit of the doubt? Because she went to another campaign stop in another state and said it again!!!
The woman is intelligent, articulate, educated and savvy. The statement was obviously written in her campaign notes, too!! Can’t put the blame on ding-batism…
What’s worse is the fact that she didn’t come out and address the controversy herself. She apparently left it up to someone involved in the Obama campaign.
Not good.
Now, we find that Barack had to come out and defend her with his non-apologetic, spin-doctored, half-brained, “out of context” argument to get her off the hook. Give me a freakin’ break!! The woman clearly demonstrated what she really thinks about this country…and it’s not good! Shame on her!!!
Contrast that with what one would expect a future First Lady to say about her country:
“I am proud of my country,” John McCain’s wife, Cindy, said at a campaign stop in Brookfield, Wis., Tuesday. “I don’t know if you heard those words earlier … but I am very proud of my country.”
Barack might have even more skeletons in his closet…literally… if certain allegations against him turn out to be true!
No matter what, the “messiah” frenzy of his cult is creepy enough!
Soap - uh oh, are you doing “your usual dance, which is to make some dopey and unoriginal comment that adds nothing to the discussion”? It’s a good thing we have bright, original, clever dictionary-users like dakine here to keep the discussion original.