Читать книгу The Columns (Volume One) - Tracy Lorenz - Страница 9

By Tracy K. Lorenz

Well, it looks like class and fashion took another leap backwards last week when Michelle Obama, Queen of America, stepped off Air Force One wearing shorts, a tank top, and running shoes . If we, the tax payers, are coughing up hundreds of thousands of dollars to haul her butt out to the Grand Canyon, ON A PRIVATE JET, the least she could do is wear a “skort“.

Her appearance is a classic example of the death of Noblese Oblige, the theory that “nobility” has the obligation to show us commoners how to act. If you’re stepping off Air Force One you shouldn’t look like you’re making a quick run to Speedway to pick up lottery tickets and a pack of Kools.

“Oh, but it was hot out,” squeal her impecunious supporters. Well I’m pretty sure it was hot back when Jackie Kennedy was First Lady and I’m pretty sure it was hot for Laura Bush, Barbra Bush, Pat Nixon and the rest. Heck, even Hillary “The Human Cankle” Clinton had enough class to wear a pants suit when she came unglued at a press conference and she was in Africa! I’m guessing it was hot in Africa.

Look at the two service men standing next to the stairs. They’re out in the same sun Mrs. Obama is, imagine the uproar if they were wearing cut-offs and a wife beater t-shirt. She should be showing them the same respect that they’re showing her. That’s how a well bred society works.

I have a theory on the Obamas’ total lack of class; they’ve made a pretty good living preaching that rich people are evil, thus they have to appear to be not rich. If you’ve become a multi-millionaire by convincing the ignorant public that millionaires are bad then you better not hop off your private plane wearing Prada.

And aren’t we in the throes of some sort of economic crisis? Is now the time to be flying around the world spending millions of public dollars on yourself? It doesn’t seem all that long ago that liberals were having a fit about automotive executives flying on private planes. Isn’t that a bit hypocritical? They’ve been in office seven months and how many trips have they taken? Europe, Hawaii, date night in New York, a couple weeks in Martha’s Vineyard, The Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Camp David…how about spending a little time in Washington?

Maybe they like to spend our money on travel because the Mother-In-Law is sitting back at the White House. Man, they sure have put the cloak of invisibility on that woman, I’ve a feeling she’s in the basement playing Shoots and Ladders with Joe “Weekend at Bernie’s” Biden and then getting in a big fight when Biden cheats. I wonder how much it’s costing us to food, house, and protect her for four years.

But it’s not just the classless first couple that slap the face of civility. How about Brett Favre? The guy shows up at the press conference to announce he signed with the Vikings and he looked like he just got done milking the goats and brewing moonshine.

Nice hat, Brett. Was the one you used to plug the oil leak too clean? Or maybe you left your good hat next to your razor?

I realize the Obamas and Favre have huge teams of marketing people around them telling them how to dress to convince us commoners that they’re “one of us”, that their popularity (and income) might wane if the public were allowed to see the real person. Well I’m not falling for it and I’m not giving in. I still believe class and manners have a place in our little bee hive. I think if someone is coughing up millions of dollars for you to do a job for them you should at least have the courtesy to show them a little respect by appearing presentable in public and maybe taking the time to wear a Viking hat. I’m not saying they should walk around all snooty, but a little class shouldn’t be that tough to display. They’re millionaires many times over; they should act like it. And if they really have a problem putting on airs, well,…force one.