Why is Michelle Obama not at Jimmy Carter's funeral?

I bet she didn't want to sit next to Donald Trump!

^ Barack must have a lousy sense of smell

I bet she has an illness like cancer and they will make an announcement right before the inauguration and Michelle will launch an inspirational cancer patient media tour.

Why focus on one of the best first ladies we've ever had, and instead ponder where the once and future first whore is...

Oh, she's there. And we know it was the real Mel because her body language screams "Why did I have to sit next to Dotard on the aisle when they could have put me between microdick and Obama?"

Trump always sits a little taller for every minute he spends in a "pew."

Unless he had chili the day before and it all runs loosely down the hose to his reservoir knee socks.

May Trump be the next to receive such honors, and soon.

And, actually, as far as the actual power oligarchs are concerned, Trump now has served his purpose and the longer he's in office the worse their returns will be.

They wouldn’t allow her to bring her gun into the church-I don’t blame her at all.

Where was Michelle Obama at the time of Carter's death? Does she have an alibi?

It was purposely done so that Barack could sit directly next to Donald. Maybe this is the beginning of a most unusual bromance sparked by an Obama epiphany that he can appeal to Trump through flattery and become an informal adviser who will someday stop him from taking America completely over the cliff.

I wouldn't think it is health related if she's actually in Hawaii. You think she'd be in a major medical centre. I think it's right - she knew she would have to sit right next to him and refused to do it.

"Hey Donald I can help you get a Netflix deal in 2029 if the worlds not a nuclear wasteland" would probably work on him actually.

Sounds fishy

R9 They don’t let blacks into that club.

Step ‘n Fetchit (Byron Donalds and Tim Scott) are still begging for scraps at the front gate.

as I wrote in the other thread.

Most likely, MO didn't want to go.

And she didn't want to have to rally the mental energy and social skills that it would be necessary to engage, while on TV, to have to be civil to the Trumps.

She gave a hell of a speech at the DNC Convention and although she never mentioned Trump by name, she didn't have to. She is deeply offended by everything about him.

And I think there's an issue about Hunter's first wife, who she is friends with, and the Bidens.

It is suspicious. Isn't granny still living with them to babysit the two girls? And their adorable Portuguese water dog pup?

What? Don;t tell me she couldn't go high???

I hope she's in good health and has simply decided she's not going to be civil to the Trumps anymore.

Maybe she IS high, r15.

Well, that is a shame, r14, because Michelle is a vision in black.

We will hear soon enough.

[quote]It is suspicious. Isn't granny still living with them to babysit the two girls?

Marian Robinson died last May and the girls are grown and gone.

Barack following Joe and Mika’s lead.

Sorry, she should have been there.

r9 I like your optimism.

If she'd been there, her husband would not have been so chummy.

I get it though. Life's too fucking short to voluntarily associate with assholes.

Seems tensions between First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are still frosty. They did not even look at each other much less speak to each other. What's that all about?

Jill blames Kamala for pushing Biden out of the election. She is also mad at Pelosi.

I do not blame Michelle for not coming and I doubt the Carter family, does, either. Obama took one for the team and sat by Trump.

R15 Are you posting from 2012?

They told her there would be no Electric Slide.

Are the Obamas and Clintons skipping Turd's inauguration? I certainly would.

They'll go because they know the press and Trump will make hay out of them not coming. Better to show up so it is not meat for the MAGATs.

r27 agreed, I was hoping the Carter family did not even invite trump but I guess they did what they thought is best for the country. It could be even larger than them.

I don’t blame her for not going. The tension in that room is THICK.

Kamala doesn’t look very happy either.

I wonder how MAGA will respond to this yucking it up with Obama. It does demonstrate how desperately Trump wants to be liked by people with power, that he would forget those optics.

Jill is an ass.

[quote]Why is Michelle Obama not at Jimmy Carter's funeral?

The phone rang? Somebody was at the door?

I wouldn't go if I was her. Screw having to deal with Trump.

maybe that was Michelle in her prosthetic Trump disguise. Even Melania was fooled.

"he smell so nice today"

The only reason I went was to sit next to her.

It's because she can't stand Amy Carter, and knows she would cut her like a bitch if she saw her face-to-face again. She thought that would be inappropriate at Amy's father's funeral.

r40 any receipts or is this some type of joke completely lost on me.

[quote] I do not blame Michelle for not coming and I doubt the Carter family, does, either. Obama took one for the team and sat by Trump.

Michelle is a cunt.

Maybe she's been diagnosed with COVID or the flu and can't travel.

Something suddenly came up.

It’s so sweet of you to think that anyone with Covid is still isolating R43

If you think donald's given up on his "anchor baby/birther" claims against President Obama, we've got a bridge left to sell you (if Elon hasn't stolen that behind our backs).

ICE will be Miller's Plus One at the inauguration.

R45 We're still isolating, sugar. From the CDC:

"Isolation can be discontinued at least 5 days after the first positive viral test (day 0 is the date the specimen was collected for the positive test, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter). A high-quality mask should be worn around others at home and in public through day 10."

So if she was diagnosed with COVID yesterday, she has five days of isolation to go. If she was diagnosed on Monday, this would be her third full day of isolation.

But you do you. Trumper.

[quote] Maybe she's been diagnosed with COVID or the flu and can't travel.

I was sitting at the airport recently waiting to board and a fat cunt was near me coughing up a storm. She was on her phone speaking to her mother. I heard her talk about how she had been sick for several days and so she wouldn’t come to visit her mother until she got better because she didn’t want her mom to get sick.

I wish there were a clear way to report such people so they are barred from getting on the aircraft.

Good for her! Just makes me respect her more. I’m sure the Carter family understands. Jimmy wasn’t a hypocrite, either.

Wish Trump and his whore had stayed home instead. They are the opposite of Carter and had no business being there.

Maybe she had a little work done and is healing away from home.

Maybe she had that awful diarrhea so many DLers were complaining about last week.

I’m sure Pickles would have switched seats with Michelle had Michelle attended.

She didn't want to have to babysit Bush again as he danced like a demented fool.

Because she didn’t want to. She's done with having to put a good face on it, just for political reasons.

I don't blame her. Not sure I'd fly back to frigid DC if I were on the beach in Hawaii.

The official reason for her non attendance was a "scheduling conflict".

The funeral was scheduled for the same time as the time that she didn’t want to be in the same room with Trump.

Did W. get face work? I saw a still pic and it looked like Nanette Fabray was sitting next to Laura.

[quote] It is suspicious. Isn't granny still living with them to babysit the two girls?

No, she does not. Jill knows it was not Kamala. It was everybody but Kamala. Pelosi, the Clintons, Obama and all the other party leaders. His endorsement of Kamala was his 'fuck you' to the antagonists.

What does Marian Robinson have to do with r60's post?

[quote]any receipts or is this some type of joke completely lost on me.

r41, I don't think you are smart enough to be here. Seriously.

[quote] Jill blames Kamala for pushing Biden out of the election. She is also mad at Pelosi.

No, she does not. Jill knows it was not Kamala. It was everybody but Kamala. Pelosi, the Clintons, Obama and all the other party leaders. His endorsement of Kamala was his 'fuck you' to the antagonists.

Maybe it was just a scheduling conflict.

It's rare a funeral isn't

r4 Microdick?

If Michelle's reason for staying in Hawaii included not wanting ever to look at Trump again, that's fine with me.

where do we imagine Melania wanted to be?

Melanoma looks like a Yugoslav peasant in that collared frock.

[quote] I don’t blame her for not going. The tension in that room is THICK.

Because she’s be thrilled if, say, Hillary or Laura skipped out on Barack’s funeral with no excuse given.

Nah. I assume she has a medical issue for not turning up, because it’s otherwise as tacky as hell.

R37 meanwhile her hubby is laughing it up with Mr Satan himself lol

We need better trolls.

Don't be so hard on yourself.

[quote]The official reason for her non attendance was a "scheduling conflict".

When the oldest living President of the US dies at 100, and has a sterling reputation throughout his lifetime, you 'un-conflict' your schedule. It's possible. What in the world could possibly be more important that she could not have re-arranged her schedule since his funeral was announced ten days ago ?

Michelle Obama is living her best life on her terms. She gives every appearance of feeling she owes nobody anything and having no fucks to give. Sometimes I think she's just clear headed and tough, other times greatly embittered.

MO should have shown up for the Carter family. I’m disappointed in her if she stayed away because of dump.

This goes back to 2009 when Amy “dropped by” the white house with both kids in tow. Michelle went to greet them and found them seated on the floor, changing into roller skates.

“My indigo children (remember, it’s 2009)need to experience roller skating in the white house. Can we put on some Herb Alpert?”

It was then that Michelle accidentally spilled a large urn of Vermont commemorative genuine replica marbles all over the hallways.

It was the beginning of a difficult relationship.

[quote]Did W. get face work? I saw a still pic and it looked like Nanette Fabray was sitting next to Laura.

I don't know who he looks like in this picture. I want to say Rush Limbaugh, but that's not it.

Michelle may have planned to attend but saw Dump and went shopping at target. She’s done her time with nasty white trash and I don’t blame her-the entire country knows the situation. She may have even spoken to the Carters before hand.

The comments at the bottom of this People Magazine article seem to be about 50/50, very much like they are in this thread.

Maybe she had a previously scheduled chemo treatment or something.

R81 Even those can be rescheduled. Or she could have had the treatment in DC.

But r14, the occasion wasn't about HER. Absent a deathbed, Michelle Obama should have paid her respects to President Carter IN PERSON.

As Jill Biden has shown, one can sit next to a loathed other and not engage with them.

R77, underrated comment. Pearls before swine, sweetie.

Michelle Obama has made it very clear that being a dutiful First Lady for eight years was all she owed the Presidency, which benefited her not at all and in fact interrupted her career and her daughters' and mother's lives.

In the context of this funeral she's someone's wife, not a former President, and she owes neither Carter nor the nation anything. If it was Biden, who was Barack's loyal VP and well known to her personally, that would be different.

[quote] Michelle Obama has made it very clear that being a dutiful First Lady for eight years was all she owed the Presidency, which benefited her not at all and in fact interrupted her career and her daughters' and mother's lives. In the context of this funeral she's someone's wife, not a former President, and she owes neither Carter nor the nation anything.

Sounds like this could have been written by Meghan’s PR person.

^Do you people have to bring your obsession with her to every thread?

I'm trying to imagine what type of scheduling conflict she would have while on extended vacation in Hawaii. Spa day? Snorkeling lesson? Hula dancing seminar? Tacky bitch. I will forgive her if "something suddenly comes up" and she cant attend the inauguration.

The American attitude to the partners of its leaders, and to its former leaders, is unlike any other nation's in the world. The way Presidents and other functionaries keep their titles and many privileges for the rest of their lives, and the demands made on First Ladies (even while in office, never mind afterwards) are out of all proportion with anything that goes on elsewhere. It's as though because they dedicated a few years of their lives to serving the nation the public permanently owns them, which makes no sense at all.

In most countries former leaders immediately lose the title the day of the election. They usually remain a force behind the scenes in whatever Party they stood for, and will occasionally write op-eds or take some diplomatic role, but outside the Party nobody EXPECTS anything dutiful of them ever again. As for partners, in many cases leaders are not even married to their partners, so good luck convincing THEM to do anything but assist at the odd State Dinner. Those of you who have seen Borgen will relate to what I'm saying.

She's fine!

She sends her love!

[quote]The American attitude to the partners of its leaders, and to its former leaders, is unlike any other nation's in the world.

Ahem, know-it-all.

Huh?

'Thoughts and prayers.'?

That's the biggest fuck you of them all.

She must have really hated ol' southern Jimmy.

R85, You do realize you make her sound petty and small, right?

Is her beef actually with her husband?

Looks like W and Melania have the same nose.

And if looks could wound, there'd be a 6" hole in the backs of Trump's and Obama's heads. She looks pissed at Obama for even politely engaging with Donald.

BTW, W has really acquired some serious poundage; he should ask Melania where she gets her Ozempic.

Why does Melania look like an Angry Bird?

^^[italic]Mother[/italic] looks pissed^^

“She” was MIA due to complications related to sex change surgery.

Michelle Obama has given more than enough to this ungrateful nation. She has been insulted no matter what she does, if she had attended there would be talk about her wardrobe, her hair, her facial expressions, etc. I hope she was at home getting a spa treatment. She deserves to be able to walk away from the Deplorables that have treated her family with contempt and disrespect from day one. I am sure the Carter family was not offended.

[quote]. I am sure the Carter family was not offended.

She literally snubbed them.

It was Jimmy Carter who died, not Donald Trump.

She shows up to Republican funerals all the time.

I can only assume it was chemo.

Michelle said fuck appearing in public with Trump and she is right. I am sure that she sent private condolences to Carter's family.

…because she’s a perpetually angry bitch who’s so accustomed to receiving undeserved hero worship that she can continue to be a perpetually angry bitch without threat of being called on it?

Right on, r89.

I've always believed we make too much of, and expect too much of, a US Presidential spouse. A legal marriage, while publicly of record in whatever county they married in, is a private contract.

Melania Trump didn't move into the WH during Trump's first months of his first term. So what.

That the taxpayer picked up the tab for the increased Secret Service costs of protecting her while she stayed in NY.

That's what I question.

Yes, she should be protected by the SS, even in NY.

But I nobody can convince me that those Grifting Trumps didn't bill the US an exorbitant rate for housing and feeding the Secret Service detail assigned to her while they stayed at Trump Tower the detail that was protecting her.

And everybody knows damn well, by hook or by crook, they got paid.

Trumpers admit it, if the Obamas, Bidens or Clintons tried that shit, and gotten by with it, you'd have screamed Holy Hell.

[quote] I am sure that she sent private condolences to Carter's family.

That's what I speculate, too, r100.

Oooops.

Gigantic self "Oh, dear" for not proofreading before I posted at r102.

I don't care, she's irrelevant now.

No explanation necessary Mrs. Obama.

For reasons which are well-known to her, OP.

r89 Good points I mean from the UK perspective we sent Prince Edward to represent the royal family and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a personal friend of Carters and possibly a quasi representative of the UK government. Neither came with their wives and if King Charles or Prince William had attended they wouldn't have had their wives with them either Prince Edward sat with Trudeau and seemed to be exchanging gossipy comments as certain vips walked past- I'd love to know what they were saying!

r100 Didn't Trump say on the election campaign trail a few months ago oh Don't start me on the wife referring to Michelle? Total disrespect by Trump.

Malia and Sascha were in California when all hell broke loose. I wonder if Michelle is handling that. They said she was still in Hawaii and maybe she was getting her girls out of L.A. or something. I will make a prediction based on speculation: I think Barack and Michelle live separate lives for the past two or three years. It has been a gradual thing but they have a marriage of convenience right now. I got a strong sense that she had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the Convention and her participation in the campaign was very limited. Yeah, I know "Michelle hates politics." but it ought to be pretty clear to her by now that her husband, as a former President and one of the leaders of the Democratic Party doesn't have the luxury of being completely divorced from politics. They are busy with their Library, and designing programs for the Obama Foundation. Raising money and schmoozing is all part of it and she hates it. But she likes the benefits. She has mega celebrity status, she has a successful relationship with Netflix, and she writes books and goes on what I call her "platitude tours." and none of that would be possible if she had not been First Lady and the wife of Barack Obama. Barack once mentioned that some elements of their relationship were competitive. That can be toxic. But I get the distinct impression that Michelle has decided that she is not going to do anything she doesn't want to do. She has no sense of political obligations. She has moved on.

[quote]Didn't Trump say on the election campaign trail a few months ago oh Don't start me on the wife referring to Michelle? Total disrespect by Trump.

Isn't Michelle Obama the one who preached to American Democrats (me) "When they go low we go high"? If she really skipped the funeral because of Trump, she certainly hasn't practiced what she preaches. Very disappointed in her.

In the middle of a facelift or other work? Sequestering until it settles?

I agree R110. None of those present wanted to be bothered dealing with Trump. It was two or three hours out of her life. Hillary walked in like a boss . She and Bill ignored Donald. With the exception of Donald and Melania, everyone there was someone Michelle got along with just fine.

R111 no why didn't I think of that. When I saw Michelle at the Convention she had clearly had some work done. And she is dressing like a teenager for the past two years with those long extensions and pony tails.

[quote]Why is Michelle Obama not at Jimmy Carter's funeral?

[quote]Ahead of the funeral, CNN reported that the former first lady had a scheduling conflict and remained in Hawaii, where she had been on an “extended vacation.”

I guess because she had a scheduling conflict and remained in Hawaii.

[quote]Michelle Obama has made it very clear that being a dutiful First Lady for eight years was all she owed the Presidency, which benefited her not at all and in fact interrupted her career and her daughters' and mother's lives.

If that's the case, then she should give up her lifetime Secret Service detail and other perks and benefits of a former First Lady, which the taxpayers pay for, and live her life as any other ordinary citizen. But she hasn't - so this is not the case.

[quote] In the context of this funeral she's someone's wife, not a former President, and she owes neither Carter nor the nation anything. If it was Biden, who was Barack's loyal VP and well known to her personally, that would be different.

In the context of this funeral, she's the former First Lady and she owes respect to the deceased President and his family according to her own motto of 'going high' .

"I have commitments that prevent me from attending."

Why the fuck dies she owe an explanation to anyone? A note from her mother? The school nurse?

No more is ever needed. The "commitment" could be that she be anywhere else in the world but under the same roof with Trump. No explanation is needed beyond "I won't be able to attend."

Isn't the older daughter a coke head? Maybe she's helping her detox.

R114 you seem to overlook the fact that every single thing Michelle has, post Presidency, all the tens of millions of dollars and contacts and connections and he designer wardrobe and the mansion on Martha's Vineyard, the mansion in the Kalorama District in D.C., the VIP tours in Europe, etc. Her "career" such as it was, with the hospital system in Chicago, afforded her a pleasant upper Middle Class life, but she has definitely reaped the benefits of being a popular former First Lady. And her mother had the ride of a lifetime. Mrs. Robinson had a wonderful life

R109 I think you might be on to something. I know she found the presidency and politics a disgusting experience. They know about the threats, the malice, all the nonsense, more than we do. I think she's obviously done with the circus but I wouldn't be surprised if on some level she does resent what Obama's ambition put the family through. Michelle Obama does seem, to me, often be angry and rebellious. I think her experience of racism has her enjoying giving the country the bird from time to time. She seems a very complicated person, not zen at all. I kinda dig her... she's fascinating, but she isn't warm and fuzzy.

R115 But her buddy, war criminal George W. Bush, is there!

In 1995 when Barack's mother Ann Dunham died, Michelle didn't attend funeral in Honolulu.

R120, that's just...wow.

I still like Laura Bush. She’s such a throwback to the simple rich wife on Qualudes.

...And she's a murderer.

Yeah, so don’t fuck with me, fellas!

Can someone tell me why Michelle was such an amazing First Lady ? I don’t remember her doing much., more concentrating on her daughters upbringing . Which is important but not awe inspiring or deserving of the breathlessness on DL about her. Melania was even less of a presence of of First Lady so don’t call me waycist.

She had surgery and had it done in Hawaii for privacy. It was done around the holidays also for privacy. And, no, it wasn't cosmetic.

Fuck the racist fascists here. And fuck the toleration of it.

[quote]She had surgery and had it done in Hawaii for privacy.

I had a feeling Obama's massive dong could do some serious damage.

R126 = Melania Trump, close friend of Michelle Obama.

Only from your vantage point r117. Maybe she didn't want her family to be targeted with hate mail and racist terroristic threats everyday of their lives. Perhaps she did not want the hateful, disparaging and mean-spirited scrutiny that she has endured since 2007. She is a Harvard-educated lawyer who strongly preferred her anonymous, hard-earned upper-middle class lifestyle to the shitstorm of being the wife of the first Black president.

R126 Then why be coy about it? All they had to do was announce "Mrs. Obama is ill and can't attend".

Also: how the fuck do you know?

🎶 Miss Obama regrets....

She's unable to lunch today 🎶

R109 has my vote.

I won't probably be around for it, but imagine the howls of outrage if former presidents/first ladies didn't show up for Barack's funeral.

Michelle will be turning her stink eye towards JD Vance or his wife if they don't show up.

I think this is in preparation for her skipping Turd's inauguration.

Is Michelle Obama unfamiliar with "funerals," or "duty," or "do the right thing"?

She didn't snub Donald Trump.

She snubbed Jimmy Carter.

She was having a Brazilian wax.

Michelle Obama is 1 million times the person her husband is. Much smarter too. Her speech at the DNC and her multiple speeches for Harris on the stump were incredible. If she was the candidate - she would have won.

She does find politics disgusting and she is right,

I think everyone is overthinking this. Michelle attended Rosalynn's funeral and sat right next to Vairst Leddy. There is probably a good reason for her not attending this funeral but a generic 'scheduling conflict' excuse was used. For all we know, she has that norovirus or Flu A that has been going around like wildfire.

R138, my nephew had the Flu A. He is immune compromised and he ended up in the hospital. It was really rough. High fevers, congestion. That shit is dangerous. They could have said she had the flu and doctors said she shouldn't travel. Of course saying she had surgery in Hawaii and it wasn't cosmetic surgery, makes Barack look bad because he left her to go to a funeral of some guy he didn't even know that well. You know, criticizing Michelle Obama doesn't make me a racist. The fact is she has adopted a very "non traditional" post Presidency life style. I've seen a few of her interviews and she has been applauded for being "very candid." She complains a lot and any time something different or new is introduced into her life her first reaction is to resist. Say, "No. I don't want to." It's a pretty consistent pattern. She is the one who has put herself out here. She has criticized Barack, and talked about how difficult their marriage was. No one told her to do that. She chose to. I just get a negative vibe from her. I will say she was a very good First Lady. Promoting nutrition and exercise, especially for kids was a good thing. Vegetable gardens were a good thing. But she was a traditional First Lady. She stayed in her lane. And that is not a criticism.

[quote]Can someone tell me why Michelle was such an amazing First Lady ?

Well, she appeared on " Ellen" several times; even went shopping at CVS.

R140, yeah, and she went to Target, too. And she wore leggings and sweat pants and exercised with Jimmy Fallon. IMO a lot of what Michelle did even more so that Barack, was a deliberate, planned PR strategy to reassure white people. And not just Americans but worldwide, they had to be the epitome of stability and normalcy, and as non controversial as possible. And I am not criticizing them for that. The racist elements in this country and around the world are just crazy. And they resent smart people especially if they're Black. Michelle constantly reminding people how much she hates politics, quieted some of their anxieties. As she herself said, when asked if she ever planned t o run for office, "There are other ways to serve your country."

I applaud her for realizing she doesn't have the temperament or the fire to run for office or get actively involved in politics.

[quote]Maybe she didn't want her family to be targeted with hate mail and racist terroristic threats everyday of their lives. Perhaps she did not want the hateful, disparaging and mean-spirited scrutiny that she has endured since 2007. She is a Harvard-educated lawyer who strongly preferred her anonymous, hard-earned upper-middle class lifestyle to the shitstorm of being the wife of the first Black president.

Yes, and after 10 years of being in the public eye and all the negative attention it drew, it all ceased on January 21, 2017 when she handed the keys to Melania. Good thing she has kept a private, quiet life away from the public eye since then and didn't publish a revealing, best-selling memoir once she was replaced as 'First Lady'. She has really kept to herself over the past 8 years.

[quote]She is a Harvard-educated lawyer who strongly preferred her anonymous, hard-earned upper-middle class lifestyle to the shitstorm of being the wife of the first Black president.

Thank Heavens she left all that behind her, and didn't re-visit it and share with the world in a best-selling memoir. She quietly returned to anonymity and kept her White House years to herself.

R143/R144, Michelle was required to make "Lemonade" because she was handed lemons. It doesn't mean she wouldn't have preferred oranges or strawberries.

[quote] I think everyone is overthinking this.

Not everyone. Mostly those who can't handle a "negro" first lady.

[quote] Not everyone. Mostly those who can't handle a "negro" first lady.

Otherwise known as "Klan Grannies."

[quote]Prince Edward sat with Trudeau and seemed to be exchanging gossipy comments as certain vips walked past- I'd love to know what they were saying!

I bet those two ruined a few reputations. Too bad the lip-readers didn't give us the scoop.

[quote] Michelle was required to make "Lemonade" because she was handed lemons.

There’s the crux of the problem. In her mind, she sees the incredibly huge amount of blessings she has had and her wonderful life as “lemons”. She’s a warped, frustrated older woman who is always going to be bitter about life, and nothing that others do will ever satisfy her.

Exactly r147. They have "other threads" and strive to find similarities between their "most hated person" and other women who are not white.

[quote] In her mind, she sees the incredibly huge amount of blessings she has had and her wonderful life as “lemons”. She’s a warped, frustrated older woman who is always going to be bitter about life, and nothing that others do will ever satisfy her.

You will never know what is "in her mind." You only know what you see, and perhaps covet, from the outside. However, I doubt you'd actually trade places with her. She is still the target of irrational bias because she is Black and was FLOTUS -- as demonstrated in this thread -- and I think she felt her life was blessed before Barack even thought about the White House.

Try to be empathetic instead of envious...or worse.

This is a woman who maintained grace and wisdom in the face of blatant racism and willful ignorance - for over eight years.

Bitch was busy. Stop trying to read her mind. Even OPRAH can’t read minds and she’s not wasting time on a gossip board.

[quote] This is a woman who maintained grace and wisdom in the face of blatant racism and willful ignorance - for over eight years.

Right on.

[quote] But I get the distinct impression that Michelle has decided that she is not going to do anything she doesn't want to do. She has no sense of political obligations. She has moved on.

Then I hope skips her buddy Dubya’s funeral too.

[quote] Remember when her J. Crew ensembles were criticized as “Extravagant”?

I believe it was the taking advantage of her situation to go on constant luxury vacations that critics referred to as “extravagant”. I don’t recall her J. Crew outfits being described that way.

I've always liked the Obamas (they're hard NOT to like; they're both charming) but her kvetching about what she gave up is a bit much. She's now one of the most powerful female influencers in the world, hugely popular, and very rich. Does she really wish she could go back to being an upper middle class lawyer working for non-profits in Chicago?

And, the Obamas post WH life is...a bit disappointing. They've gone very Hollywood. For her to miss the funeral of the most beloved ex president in history for all his good work post presidency so she can basically continue her vacation (and not have to engage Trump) isn't a good look for her. And, if she was actually ill, then why not state that as the reason? Or, even just lie and say that's why she couldn't attend. Hating Trump is one thing but disrespecting Jimmy Carter and his family because of that, is ridiculous.

[QUOTE]In 1995 when Barack's mother Ann Dunham died, Michelle didn't attend funeral in Honolulu

Obama was an associate at a law at a Chicago law firm and was years off from being newsworthy. How do you know this? Was it in one of his books or is this a weak attempt at spreading disinformation?

I have two highly seasoned Not-For-Pforit executive recruiting friends, both women the same age as Michelle, who first hired her for a real NFP ED role. They told me in 2008 that she was the real deal, incredibly smart and enigmatic, much more Afrocentric presenting and thinking than she would allow to be seen while Barack was running for President. She had her own mind, her own accomplishments, but all that was put on hold in 2008 in order to support her husband.

If she didn't show upm to this ceremony, she no doubt was fully aware of the blowback and weighed it fully. She either couldn't come, couldn't be bothered by the phony symbolism, or really hates the orange turd and can't fake it anymore. I support all three reasons.

Maybe it's something simple like the fact that it's a minimum 10 hour flight from Hawaii to the East Coast.

[quote]They told me in 2008 that she was the real deal, incredibly smart and enigmatic, much more Afrocentric presenting and thinking than she would allow to be seen while Barack was running for President.

I feel like MO looks around the country, sees the waste racism perpetuates in the black community, knows what they lived with in politics and is like, fuck it, whitey, I'm not playing any part for you any more. I think her life was much harder than we know or understand. I think her laser focus now on black lives is understandable. I guess she played us, even the liberals who have enough prejudice inside to not want a first lady who was too black, and now she's beating the system. Good for her I guess. I just wish she seemed happier. She's got it all, she's making a difference, and yet I still feel like there's something she's got to get off her chest.

[quote] She's got it all, she's making a difference, and yet I still feel like there's something she's got to get off her chest.

I'd love to hear it.

[quote]I still feel like there's something she's got to get off her chest.

I can't image one intelligent (i.e., non-Maga) POC not feeling the same way...

Her laser focus on black lives? Is that a joke. Her focus on mega yachts and luxury homes is more on the $.

Simple. She had other fish to fry.

Just as long as she doesn't bring it to work anywhere near my cube.

I'm not racist, I just think the Obamas are shit for getting massively rich off the presidency.

[quote] I'm not racist, I just think the Obamas are shit for getting massively rich off the presidency.

The natural consequence of being an enormously popular President and First Lady, except you resent them because they're Black. That IS racist.

[quote]I'm not racist, I just think the Obamas are shit for getting massively rich off the presidency.

Other than, perhaps, Jimmy Carter, name one in the last 80 yrs who hasn't.

Dr. Jill's getting nervous because Uncle Joe is barely able to function now...he doesn't have much time to book some of those dreamy $500k speeches.

And, their book deals will pale in comparison to Barry and Shelly's.

r148 Indeed!

[quote] She either couldn't come, couldn't be bothered by the phony symbolism

You respect Michelle Obama potentially not being “bothered by the phony symbolism” of paying respect to an American president who committed his life to providing to those in need?

By comparison Michelle Obama’s post White House work consists of endless self-help memoirs aimed at the still downtrodden black female community, promoted by even more endless publicity tours with Tyler Perry.

You are entirely without scruples, r158.

I assume she was dealing with her own or family illness.

Because not turning up to Democratic Jimmy Carter’s funeral because she doesn’t like Trump makes zero sense.

Let’s see if she is at the inauguration.

This is deemed one of the most accurate (and non satirical) lip readings.

The contempt on Obama’s face for whatever is in the handout is palpable.

It's kind of ironic, she would have rocketed to the Oval Office had she run - which takes a lot of votes from a lot of people of all backgrounds - yet she increasingly seems dedicated to only a few.

She is, I think, a truly complicated person, full of contradictions. I hope someday she writes a final memoir and lays it all out with absolutely no fucks left to give.

Still, I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt.

[quote]This is deemed one of the most accurate (and non satirical) lip readings.

And clarifies absolutely nothing.

Yes, R156, she states very clearly that she really enjoyed her last job prior to becoming first lady. She was a Princeton and Harvard educated lawyer who got a primo job in a white shoe firm after receiving her law degree. She could have stayed on that track and rocketed to partnership and all its money and perks. But she left because she admitted to herself she did not enjoy the work and left to find something more enriching. That tells me where her values lie. I have worked with several attorneys over the years and it is filled with so many unhappy people who stick with the profession for all the wrong reasons, including ego. So, so many with substance abuse issues - especially alcohol. She chose fulfillment over prestige and cash

I don't blame her if she feels unedified for being first lady and having to give up her career. Her initiatives, such as better nutrition, were met with such hostility and toothless hillbillies ranting "she'll never take my Mountain Dew". Our country is a trash heap. We don't deserve her.

[quote]She chose fulfillment over prestige and cash

Well, let's not ennoble her too much.... she's not exactly short in the last week of the month.

I doubt it’s a medical issue. Hawaii is not the place to be for that. Doctors have surfboards strapped to the roof of their cars, that’s why they move to Hawaii.

R177, I am not saying she is not rolling in the cash now. But leaving one of the best firms in the country for the public sector points to her character and what she values. She had no idea at the time she would be first lady and the opportunities that followed afterwards. It is particularly meaningful in the Legal field where so many in the sphere are headcases of some sort and very ego driven. I guess what I am trying to say is she is motivated by more than money so being made first lady is not the reward some folks on this thread think it is.

Someone must have a copy of that funeral program.

[quote] Our country is a trash heap. We don't deserve her.

She has done very little of value to anyone since leaving the White House.

[quote] Someone must have a copy of that funeral program.

R180 As you wish, sweetie.

She's getting circumcised.

I thonk you're confusing her with Brooke Shields.

I do not resent the Obamas for getting rich. Bill and Hillary weren't rolling in cash until they left the White House either. The Obamas had more money than they did at a similar point because of Barack's books. But . I'd have a better attitude towards her and her husband if I got some sense they were committed to doing meaningful work out here. I'm not demanding that they dedicate their lives to public service, but hell, even George Bush is involved with Wounded Warriors and veterans issues and Laura Bush is actively involved in literacy and educational opportunities for Middle Eastern women. What bothers me is how they put the Obamas on center stage telling us who to vote for and why, and how it affects our country, and yet they seem completely invisible from the public stage over the four years in between. No one wants them to wear sackcloth and ashes, but I would like to get a sense that Michelle is about something more than "Becoming and The Light We Carry." I went to one of her appearances on her book tour and it was very "meh." Sharp contrast to Hillary. I loved her Q & As.

Obama isn’t some saint. He’s very dignified, a huge plus, especially considering the crude buffoon we’re about to have foisted on us for ANOTHER four years. But being dignified doesn’t mean being an ideal man.

Sometimes it takes a fringe progressive like Michael Moore to show that:

[quote] I do not resent the Obamas for getting rich. Bill and Hillary weren't rolling in cash until they left the White House either. The Obamas had more money than they did at a similar point because of Barack's books

400K for a speech to Cantor Fitzgerald 100 days after leaving office. This kind of thing is so common now nobody thinks anything of it. Not saying I "resent" it. It's more than that. Most politicians today get rich from having been in office. Many even run with that in mind, or in the back of their minds.

[quote] What bothers me is how they put the Obamas on center stage telling us who to vote for and why, and how it affects our country, and yet they seem completely invisible from the public stage over the four years in between.

Obama may seem invisible, but to me he seems to continue to be the head of the party ever since leaving office, pulling strings behind the scenes.

I'm not requiring them to be like Jimmy Carter. I just think if they're going to trot the Obamas out every four years to make a few campaign speeches, then they ought to have standing to do that. And they honestly do not seem that engaged.

Engaged in what? Everyone knows it was Obama who engineered the Super Tuesday switch that made sure Bernie didn't win the primary.

Please. Bernie would never have won the primary.

Progressives talk about how the evil Dems sabotaged Bernie. Hillary got almost FOUR MILLION more votes than Bernie. Anyone who thinks that’s due to dem sabotage needs to have their head examined.

The Carter family disrespected President Carter by inviting donald to the funeral in spite of the late President's wishes.

In this, Michelle Obama "had President Carter's back."

Can you direct us to any evidence solidly indicating that Jimmy Carter explicitly disinvited Trump or directed his relatives to do so, r191?

I don't think the family really gets a ton of say in the planning of the state funeral...protocol dictates a lot of it. Obviously, the family has some say in things like music and speakers and their private guest list but it's the official governmental funeral.

The family can bar whoever they want for their private services.

The family specifically invited Melania to Rosalynn’s funeral. There is no way they would not invite the Trumps to Jimmy’s.

[quote] In this, Michelle Obama "had President Carter's back."

How? She’s not a Real Housewife, she’s a First Lady. Ignoring Carter’s funeral - and actually arguing that she was respecting him by doing it - to snub Donald Trump is tacky at minimum. Which is why I assume she was dealing something along the lines of illness or helping their daughters evacuate.

Most of us have sufficient. Let us all agree to disagree, shall we?

It was just announced that she won't be attending next week's inauguration. Good for her for not being a phony.

I can see and support her refusal to attend the Inauguration.

CNN wrote: Michelle Obama has spoken openly about her animosity toward Trump, whom she has accused of putting her family’s safety in danger through his rhetoric.

You can't argue with that.

The Carter funeral is odd to me but I think it's either she's not well or simply won't be in the same room with Trump, both of which I understand. Think about if you blamed someone for putting your family at risk. You'd do the same.

Who arranged the seating for the funeral? Shame on them for making Barack Obama sit next to a open racist pig. Let that other piece of shit, george w bush sit next to the nazi trump

[quote]Please. Bernie would never have won the primary. Progressives talk about how the evil Dems sabotaged Bernie. Hillary got almost FOUR MILLION more votes than Bernie. Anyone who thinks that’s due to dem sabotage needs to have their head examined.

I'm not the poster you were replying to. You are right that Bernie never would have won. But you are wrong about the democrats not sabotaging Bernie. They most certainly did sabotage him. I understand why they did. But they still did that to him. That is the truth

Yes, Hillary had much more of a chance in winning the election than Bernie Sanders ever would have. Bernie would have LOST. And that's part of the reason the democrats sabotaged him.

She's not going to the Inauguration either, but I don't know why anyone would expect her.

[quote] Who arranged the seating for the funeral? Shame on them for making Barack Obama sit next to an open racist pig. Let that other piece of shit, george w bush sit next to the nazi trump

The person responsible for Obama and Trump sitting next to each other is Michelle. If she had showed up she would have been seated between them.

I have had a sense that Michelle and Barack are living separate lives. She is through with politics. Period. She has no sense of obligation to show up anywhere. He has to. She doesn't feel like she needs to.

[quote] Think about if you blamed someone for putting your family at risk. You'd do the same.

Well, Mother Pence went to the funeral and Donald wanted to hang Mike.

[quote] The person responsible for Obama and Trump sitting next to each other is Michelle. If she had showed up she would have been seated between them.

You are the logician par excellence? Bravo!

We're all investing her absence with importance from a political perspective. But maybe she is just unwell and can't come. Or maybe something is going on with one of her kids.

They're seated in order of election to the office. You really didn't notice that?

Trump

Obama

Bush

Clinton

dead

[quote]They're seated in order of election to the office. You really didn't notice that?

I didn't watch it. I just saw the photos of Obama and trump talking to each other

Well, after January 20th, Michelle won't have to worry about sitting next to Trumpf! She'll be sitting next to Biden!

Unless of course, she's at Biden's funeral. Which is likely the next time this situation will come up.

Maybe Barak can start bringing Pelosi as his plus one.

Michelle: "I'm not even sure if I'm going to Barry's...."