Putting Words in Michelle's Mouth is Equally Wrong

[sandnsea]

I wish I had time to make a long, heart felt post here, but to get to the point - Michelle was talking about the political movement that is going on when she said she was really proud. She clarified her remarks to refer to that political movement and willingness of people to match their enthusiasm with hard work.

She did not say she anything about Vietnam or Reagan or poverty or anything else. YOU might have never been proud of this country in the last 50 years, and that's fine if you feel that way. But SHE did not say that.

If you think you are defending her or, more specifically, her right to say what SHE THINKS, then you need to respect what she actually said and not dump YOUR opinions and beliefs onto her. That would be doing the exact same thing her attackers are doing.

She said she is really proud of the political movement and people choosing hope, and it is true that that hasn't happened in this measure in her adult life, or mine. That's it. You aren't defending her if you're disrespecting what she said.

[jlake]

1. She didn't say she was "really proud" she said it was the "first time" she had been proud.

It was a dumb thing to say - and gaffes like this will cost the General for sure.

[AX10]

3. As you said.

:thumbsup:

[roesch]

6. First time in a long time for me.

Since I am over sixty, I can say it is the first time for a long time that I have been proud of America because I am seeing my students along with the general population hopeful once again about setting a new direction in this country. There has been little to be proud of these last years- even with Clinton who was a disappointment to me.

[jlake]

7. I respect your opinion, but the OP is accusing others of putting words into

Michelle Obama's mouth -- when in fact it is the OP who is doing that.
Michelle Obama has a right to her feelings - and the American people have a right to react to them.

[sandnsea]

9. That might be true for you, and even me

But Michelle is talking about the political movement and I respect her enough to not dump my views of this country onto her.

[jillan]

2. Go tell it to the RW - they are the ones that are celebrating her remark like it's Christmas.

[babylonsister]

8. People here have been also. Look around. nt

[Rockholm]

4. I think I understand what she was trying to say.

She just really screwed it up. Like John Kerry did attempting to make a joke about Iraq in 2006.

[TwilightGardener]

5. Thank you, Sandnsea. She even said the word "politics" right before the famous sound bite, but

of course they leave that off--she was clearly speaking of her new pride in the context of politics and the sudden excitement and involvement in the process. So many people have her so wrong.

[sandnsea]

10. Some intend to, but some think they're helping

It doesn't help her to say there's nothing to be proud of, when she's trying to desperately to dispel that notion. Some people really think they're helping to say that. The ones with bad intentions, well you can't do anything about them.

[TwilightGardener]

12. I know--their hearts may be in the right place, but I'm quite sure Michelle

didn't mean it that way. It seems like some DUers are just hell-bent on either using this for Hillary's advantage, or they want to have a reason to express their own disgruntlement. Stupid.

[knixphan]

11. all you have to do is listen to everything she said

...and there is no confusion, guys.

And I agree, we can all vent our frustration in a '10 things I hate about my government' thread...I'll buy the first round of drinks.

Meanwhile the only thing the Obama camp needs from us is to disregard the O'Reillys of the world and keep yelling for our guy to take the white house!

Eyes on the prize!

OBAMA '08!

[Captain Hilts]

13. Don't look to Al Gore for sympathy. It's Maureen Dowd's bread and butter. nt

[Bluerthanblue]

14. If you are addressing me, and my post here tonite I hope you will

go back and read it through.

Read it through CAREFULLY-

I very clearly, and intentionally addressed that Michelle was talking about her own feelings.

And anyone who is saying her feelings are WRONG either thinks they are 'her' or thinks they are 'god' but regardless, they are not LISTENING to what she said.


I don't believe I dumped my own opinions or beliefs onto Michelle.

The reaction of people to her comment, in particular those who took the view that if one cannot feel and voice "pride"- then one must be ashamed, made be think about my own 'feelings' about our country. Maybe I should have posted the photos that illustrated things that are part of America that I feel no "pride" about in a totally seperate post. Maybe people aren't willing to read what is written, without jumping to incorrect assumptions.

If you are not directing any of your comments to me, then please excuse my ranting.
If you are, please listen to what I have actually written.

thanks

peace~