Fashion, Politics, and Absurdity
![Obama throwing First Pitch [wiki commons]](http://www.blackenedsun.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Picture-21.png "Obama throwing First Pitch [wiki commons]")
Wow… honestly? How does Fashion fit into politics? I always figured that the changes Obama was doing with the country, with his recent attempts at health reform, energy reform, the closing of Guantanamo Bay, Iran, etc etc, would be far more important than what he wore to dinner with Michelle the other night.
Don’t they have anything better to do with their time than bitch and moan when they see Obama wearing “mom jeans” while throwing the first pitch at the 2009 All Star game? [source]
The president also offered some insights into his self-admitted lack of sartorial expertise.
“Up until a few years ago, I only had four suits,” the commander-in-chief said.
“I hate to shop. Those jeans are comfortable. And for those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I’m sorry. I’m not the guy,” Obama added.
Obama’s jeans choice for his all-start game appearance were widely panned by fashion critics and even dubbed “mom jeans.”
I’m glad he can make fun of himself for it though, or at least defend himself and say “I don’t give a shit about what people think when it comes to what I wear”… but in much nicer verbiage. He SHOULD wear what’s comfortable. He is in THE toughest job in the nation, and should be capable of the small things that relieve him in the slightest of the stress that is the Presidency.
I can’t believe that people actually complain about what the President of the United States is wearing. I’m actually rather curious, does this happen elsewhere in the world as badly as it does in America? I’ll have to bug some of my international friends to answer this for me.
I don’t tend to notice the fashion police in politics, usually, as I just don’t follow politics enough. However, I was very into the last election, and I’m anxious to see how Obama does his first term in office. I really don’t want him to fail because that would mean devastation to the United States. But when I try to load the news to find out about his latest actions, and I see articles left and right bashing (or praising) the clothes that Obama and the First Lady wear, or the fact that he bowed for the Saudi king was “bad” (unlike respectful as I perceived him as being)… that is just absurd.
I must add this – out of everything PETA may have to complain about, and try to fight for, they decide to call Obama out on killing a FLY?? [source] I know that little bit is old news, but I still find myself shaking my head and going “wtf?” when I think about it or talk about it. I mean, PETA goes to extraordinary lengths ALL the time.
Slightly off topic, I honestly think that PETA should give up their extreme stance to a point. Take “everyone should be a vegetarian,” for an example. Sure, I can understand them arguing for it, but obviously it’s not going to be an easy thing to change. So why not try eliminating the treatment of cows that is currently happening for those massive caged farms for milk and beef? Why not advocate “if you can’t stop eating meat, at the LEAST treat the animals right, and only buy organic, grass fed [etc etc]“… I mean, that would appeal to a larger audience, and they would be able to make (a certain percentage of) their goal (of achieving global vegetarianism) a bit easier to accomplish.
So… Fashion: Stay the hell out of politics and start paying attention to what matters when it comes to politics, alright? What the President or First Lady (or anyone really) wear has NOTHING to do with how they perform their job!
Tags: absurd, all star, Baseball, fashion, insect, Obama, PETA, politics, society, United States
Goes to show that people are just bored! There are far worse things than what Peta, or Fashion Mavens, etc. rag about.
if you think we’re bad with fashion criticism here, check out some of the British tabloids. it’s much bigger there than here. heck, when we visited London, my wife drug me to a special display at Kensington Palace where a good portion of Lady Diana’s dresses were on display.
it’s tough to get behind an organization like PETA these days, but i think there is some good there. honestly, had it not been for that once-viral video on how industrial chickens are raised, my eyes would have never been opened to the problems of industrial farming, and the importance of sustainability.
i will always be a meat-eater, but i only eat meat about once or twice a month. mostly for sustainability reasons, rather than health or moral issues. i believe that vegetarianism is good thing—read Diet for a Small Planet if you haven’t already.
my problem with veganism, however, is that often i see practicing vegans i know pass up good, local, sustainable food for something that is overly-expensive because it has to be shipped across many miles, and now the price of that vegan choice has too much gas/oil/fossil fuel in it.
a sustainability loss in my book.
X its pretty bad here in Spain in that regard, probably worse than England. There are no laws protecting celebs, politicians, athletes, etc. from being stalked by the paparazzi. All of the major networks dedicate a good portion of the day debating people’s personal lives, rumors, etc. With that said, a good portion of this time is spent on criticizing politicians and the monarchy on how they dress, wear their hair, etc. Case in point:
- The defense minister is a woman, she has worn a pants suit to several engagements when every other female at the event wore a dress. Reaction was that she lacked professionalism, and did not respect any of the traditions laid down before here.
- The princess was criticized for not wearing her hair up at an event, and deemed to look “trashy” by some commentators.
- Because Spain is a “progressive country” the president, and other dignitaries from his party don’t wear traditional suits to rallies, speaking engagements or random events that are held nationally. The usual reaction is an outcry from certain parts of the media stating that this shows their lack of seriousness, or professionalism.
The overall voyeuristic approach to the media here makes TMZ look like romper-room. Celebs are often photographed topless, or naked, and when the pictures are declared illegal in other parts of the world Interviu (http://www.interviu.es/) will go out of their way to find the author of the foto out, and offer them a boat load of cash. So in that respect things are very different for public figures here in Spain.
In closing, none of the people I have mentioned, or the original person mentioned in Chris’ post President Obama, didn’t do any remotely similar to say Bjork dressing up in the swan gown, so I really don’t see the big deal. As long as they’re doing their job, who cares how they dress, or what they do in their spare time.