The real scandal of Michelle Obama's Spanish vacation (It's the "Right-Wing's" fault, of course!)

The London Guardian ^ | August 10, 2010 | Dan Kennedy

[2ndDivisionVet]

If you think you can't stand reading about how the media are covering Michelle Obama's Spanish vacation, then you deserve credit for good taste.

But bear with me. Because, given the absence of any substance whatsoever, it serves as a perfect laboratory exercise in how rightwing activists bully the nominally liberal mainstream press into validating the most ludicrous of partisan talking points.

As you may know, late last week the first lady and her daughter Sasha arrived in Spain for a few days. With the exception of a government-provided security detail, the trip is costing the taxpayers nothing. Yet it has come under withering attack from the right, as critics have seized on it as evidence that the Obamas are elitist elite liberal elitists.

But there's no need for me to strain my limited vocabulary when I can simply send you to Rush Limbaugh's website, currently featuring an altered photo of "King Louie Obama & Michelle Antoinette" that looks like something from a lost episode of Good Times. In an accompanying commentary, Limbaugh explains what's going on in terms anyone can understand (provided that by "anyone" you mean, well, white racists). He says of the Obamas:

"They have never had it so good. They don't want for anything. They don't even pay for anything. In fact, they look at it as though they are owed this. They are owed this. They have been shafted all of their lives because of racial discrimination, because of being a minority."

For good measure, Limbaugh invokes Marion Barry, the former mayor of Washington, DC, for no particular reason I can think of – except maybe that Barry is black, has had several well-publicised encounters with illegal drugs and has done time.

[2ndDivisionVet]

So this guy thinks our media isn't biased enough? Good gravy Gertrude!

[a fool in paradise]

given the absence of any substance whatsoever, it serves as a perfect laboratory exercise in how rightwing activists bully the nominally liberal mainstream press into validating the most ludicrous of partisan talking points.

Clearly he hasn't "witnessed" the pravda media's witchhunt of Sarah Palin.

[a fool in paradise]

But there's no need for me to strain my limited vocabulary when I can simply send you to Rush Limbaugh's website, currently featuring an altered photo of "King Louie Obama & Michelle Antoinette" that looks like something from a lost episode of Good Times. In an accompanying commentary, Limbaugh explains what's going on in terms anyone can understand (provided that by "anyone" you mean, well, white racists).

He also must've missed LA Weekly's racist smear of Condi Rice.

But then, the media LIES daily. Lies by omission are lies all the same. Screw the Socialists. Get over the target and you'll start receiving flak. America does not HAVE A ROYAL FAMILY. We don't have to put up with Queen Obama's opulance while insisting that Amerikkkans consumer too much.

[equalitybeforethelaw]

So is there some kind of right wing underground conspiracy of journalists trying to manage the news about Mr. Skittles?

[KarlInOhio]

With the exception of a government-provided security detail, the trip is costing the taxpayers nothing.

I seem to remember one of them new fangled flyin' machines was involved too.

[I am Richard Brandon]

These writers for the 'newspaper' that were so incompetent that they could not even spell its name, were drooling left wing idiots when I was young. They are still drooling left wing idiots to whom 'truth' seems to be rendered Pravda. Everyone should read The Grauniad at least once a month in order to restore their perspective on life.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

I seem to remember one of them new fangled flyin’ machines was involved too.

And, isn’t the “personal funds” used by M’Antionette simple Obamugabe’s salary (paid by the taxpayers)?

[existtoexcel]

With the exception of a government-provided security detail,

That ain't cheap either, how many in the security detail, and special equipment? We are just supposed to ignore that 'exception'.