michelle obama's short shorts spark long talks

United States
August 19, 2009 7:50am CST
This one time I really think it is ridiculous to spend time discussing Mrs Obama's right to wear shorts. IMO she can wear what she likes when she on vacation it is not as if it was a presidential dinner. Now I did not think she was too smart to carry a $4,000.00 dollars purse when she was at an official occasion. Of course the Obamaites jumped to her defense that it could have been a gift however that does not make it any better in my eyes especially as we are in the middle of a recession. But shorts give me a break do we not have a hell of a lot more important things that the media could report!! Your opinion? So here we are again. The biggest scandal to hit the White House: How much skin is really in? Hours upon hours have been spent talking about what a first lady should or should not wear. First, it was whether or not she had the right to “bare arms,” and now, pictures of Michelle wearing “short” shorts while on holiday with her family during yesterday’s trip to the Grand Canyon are sparking a similar debate. While most women would agree that shorts (at any length) are often tough to pull off, I think we should line up with hands raised to offer her a high five. And since she is gifted with those long legs, I beg the question — wouldn't all shorts be "short" on her? So to be “short” and to the point (pun intended), what do you think about Michelle dressing relaxed like the rest of us? Is it OK for her to be casual and comfortable with her body? Or do you feel she should be more conservative, offering a polished reserved example at all times? http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/08/18/2034169.aspx
8 people like this
26 responses
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
19 Aug 09
Well let me start off by saying that I've never been to the Grand Canyon but, I use to live in Lake Tahoe area and when we went into the valley it was hot. And, I have never been on vacation and wore only dress clothes plus when I go where it's hot I wear cool clothing. I remember people making a big stink when the first Mrs. Bush (the mother not Laura) was sledding with the grandkids on the White House lawn, I thought that was pretty cool. I remember asking my dad why people were even talking about that and he said that we hadn't had a family in the White House that was so down to Earth in a long time. The Obama's are not conservative in anyway, so why should they try to appear that they are?
3 people like this
• United States
19 Aug 09
Conservatives wear shorts too when it's hot out. Many of us are actually MUCH less formal than one would expect with a label like "conservative" and can usually be found wearing jeans or shorts. LOL
3 people like this
@jb78000 (15139)
19 Aug 09
i bet the men wear a tie and dinner jacket when they're in shorts though.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
19 Aug 09
LOL Sorry she said something about should Obama dress more conservatively. I wasn't trying to say that conservatives were old prudes. Well I mean some probably are and some probably aren't. The whole conservative thing really baffles me that whole social fiscal, I'll admit it I don't get it but, I really don't want anyone to think that I believe conservative wear long dresses, hats and other types of old fashion clothing. I'm really glad you're the one that said something and not someone else.
1 person likes this
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
In my view on that, my friend. I think she should be comfortable enough to her body wear those clothes. I see no bad things on it because ever since this First lady, is wearing fashion dresses...have a great day!
@missybal (4490)
• United States
19 Aug 09
She was at the grand canyon she should be wearing shorts... this is silly... now as far as the $4,000 purse well someone paid for it and someone paid tax on it and someone paid the workers who made the thing. I don't care as long as my tax dollars didn't pay for it. And as for the bare arms thing yes that does bug me when she's out on an official occasion but that's my opinion that that is not a proper way to dress but for her own time she should wear what she wants... Now as for what we should be discussing... Mrs. Obama's 22 staffers... and the American people are paying for them.
2 people like this
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Isn't it amazing what the media and society spend all of their time worrying about and finding fault with in our country?? For crying out loud, she can wear what she wants when she wants... it isn't her fault that the media is chasing her and taking pictures of her and her family all the time! Geesh! There are MUCH more important things that people should be worried about and talking about than what the first lady wears on her vacation!!! Or any time, in my opinion.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Aug 09
I didn't see anything wrong with what she was wearing. It can be miserable having to wear confining clothing, and you really don't want to be confined when you're on vacation.
2 people like this
• United States
20 Aug 09
Please already! If President Obama can wear a team jacket and jeans, why can't Michelle wear what comforts her? I mean hey, it's the middle of the summer for pete's sake. And wow, they WERE ON VACATION! As long as Mrs. Obama is professional and respectful at the White House, let's let her wear her shorts on family outings. Kendria
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Aug 09
Damn I thought you were talking about short shorts! These shorts aint short about mid thigh looks like just like I wear. I think they could spend more time talking about something else instead of what she wears . Stupid spending the money and time on the news to report this. I dont care who she is!
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Aug 09
So true!
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Aug 09
As if there were not more important things to report!
1 person likes this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
24 Aug 09
OK, here's my outlook on it. The shorts in the photograph in the article aren't what I'd call short...I've seen worse so I don't see them as being indecent. Personally the only thing I don't like is she's dressed more like a college student then the President's wife. I think she could have dressed up a little more to give a better image then looking like she was off to work in the garden. I understand it was a vacation trip but still...there is a certain image that she should be upholding. As for the $4000.00 purse, it's not the first time her and her daughters have flaunted wealth while the rest of the country is suffering. Their recent trip over seas had her and her daughters all sporting high dollar, top label outfits...it was like they were putting on a fashion show for everyone. It's nice that they are enjoying the high life, while everyone else keeps getting poorer. [b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Aug 09
I really do think the news media needs to pay attention to more important issues than what Ms. Obama is wearing. For Christ's sake they are on vacation and I understand the temperature was 106 where they were...so like what? She's supposed to wear a formal gown??? Sheesh I wonder how long it'll take some jerk to take a photo of her in a swimming suit if she's swimming in the ocean and the fuss that will make.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Gee, can't the press find something REAL to complain about? Just because she's the presidents wife doesn't make her any less human that we are. What is she suppose to wear? High heals and a long dress? I'm with you on this whiteheather. I just wish the press would find some REAL news or go find a REAL job!
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
19 Aug 09
After reading the article I had to wonder who is talking about this as a scandal aside from MSNBC where it was reported? Even the link on the "bare arms" led back to an MSNBC story. So, is anyone really discussing this or worried about it, or are they just trying to deflect from any real debates by pretending there's a lot of shock and horror over her wardrobe? Honestly, unless she showed up in a bikini at a state dinner, who would care what she wore?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Aug 09
Rollo1 you and I seem to be on the same wavelength. I could care less what she wore on her vacation and I also think these type of reports are just to deflect from real news.
2 people like this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
19 Aug 09
Good point I don't thing I heard anything about Fox News doing this... is this how MSNBC are trying to show they aren't as pro Obama as we know they are... lets talk about how the First Lady dresses?
2 people like this
• United States
19 Aug 09
CONSPIRACY!!!
1 person likes this
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Short shorts have gotten longer since my youth. When I was growing up, they barely covered your butt. If Mrs. Obama is on a vacation trip, she should have the right to wear whatever she pleases. Let her be comfortable.
1 person likes this
@Ritchelle (3790)
• Philippines
21 Aug 09
your question is quite hard to answer. though i've always been fascinated with female figures of state, still, there is no definite answer. i think i can say if jacqueline kennedy onassis would wear it then it is good dressing. so that means the short shorts is not only bad to look at but bad taste. hollywood celebrities do wear that. not celebrities because of a political husband. no offense to the supporters of ms. obama. however, everyone knows ms. kennedy's expensive tastes so i'd say if mrs. obama can have the frugality of princess anne (of britain) who wears recycled clothes and ridiculously, obviously, old shoulder bags then that is wise and sensitive dressing. of course, ms. kennedy was ms. kennedy for the way she is and princess anne of britain is the way she is. it takes a fine balancing...
• United States
21 Aug 09
She was on vacation and as such should not have to stick to protocol. Actually I have seen hundred of pictures of the Queen going all the way back to when she was Princess Elizabeth (I am old enough to remember) that she was pretty tatty looking with her headscarf and ultra casual dress when she was on vacation in Balmoral (probably too cold for shorts ). No need for protocol call for the Queen either on vacation!
2 people like this
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
19 Aug 09
No, the first lady should not wear shorts at all ,not on vacation in the publics eye or anywhere in my way of thinking. She might have great legs, but shorts ?
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Aug 09
Perhaps put of respect for her husband's "muslim brothers" she should be wearing a burka instead?
• United States
19 Aug 09
I don't give a rat's tushy what she wears, I am more concerned about what her husband is DOING to our country.
@quita88 (3715)
• United States
19 Aug 09
LOL, wouldn't hurt would it? what is YOUR opinion????
@GardenGerty (157545)
• United States
25 Aug 09
Shorts on vacation to the Grand Canyon are certainly appropriate, so that is no news. I think it is pretty hypocritical to carry a $4000 purse when Palin was criticized to no end for her expensive new clothes. When are we going to quit talking about what women wear as if it is an important part of politics. Now if Michelle had worn short shorts to a meeting at the White House, that might have been inappropriate.
• Canada
25 Aug 09
I think this fashion crap is a total crock 'o crap!! If Mr. Obama can wear shorts, why can't Mrs. Obama wear them? This is sexist crap run amok, and it needs to stup. Michelle Obama should set precident and wear shorts. She could move things forward for future first spouses, for generations to come. And who the hell says she can't wear shorts? Obama himself? Afterall she's married to the highest authority in the country! Sheesh!
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Count me in for the high five! I think it's hilarious that this was even ever brought up. I'm wearing shorter shorts than her right now and I'm over 10 years older than her...so sue me...lol! Mine aren't "indecently" short either, by the way, no butt cheeks hanging out or anything. She was on a sightseeing trip in a place that gets VERY hot, what would anyone expect her to wear? When she's at a formal gathering she dresses appropriately and she was dressed totally appropriately for a trip to the Grand Canyon. Annie
• United States
20 Aug 09
Wow Annie we agree again!! We had better be careful people will talk as it seems lately we have agreed on quite a few issues!
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
20 Aug 09
There is nothing else going on in the world today, but the news media have to do something to "keep their jobs" and keep the news broadcasts on the air and newspapers circulating.
1 person likes this
@TLChimes (4822)
• United States
19 Aug 09
She should do what she wants on her own time as long as it's safe, legal, and not an out right flipping the bird at the rest of us behavior. Is there nothing else for people to worry about then what the first lady is wearing?
• United States
20 Aug 09
Honestly I think this makes Americans look shallow and dumb as hell. Recession, healthcare, education, these are just a few of the many things that people should be worried about, not Michelle's fashion choices. If anything about this situation pisses me off it would be that yet again the Obamas are out enjoying themselves on vacation while the majority of Americans couldn't even dream of taking a vacation right now. Yeah, but back to the shorts, unless it was President Obama out in short shorts and a halter top it doesn't interest me.
1 person likes this