CAN'T YOU TAKE A JOKE? FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA DID NOT SERIOUSLY CALL THE WHITE HOUSE...A PRISON. THOSE OF YOU WHO THINK SHE DID....NEED TO CHECK YOUR FUNNY BONE.

     Why do some people...in this case certain Republicans...make false statements - for political reasons - before they know the facts?  Or...even though they are fully aware of the truth...why do some people...again, certain Republicans...make accusations...to merely embarrass or make the President of the United States or...in this instance...The First Lady...look bad?

     While at a summit of female leaders in Tanzania, Africa...on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013...First Lady Michelle Obama was talking with former First Lady Laura Bush and moderator Cokie Roberts of ABC News and National Public Radio when...at one point during the discussion...Roberts kiddingly asked Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Bush if being First Lady and living in The White House could be compared to being "a state prisoner."  It was obvious that the veteran, professional journalist...who is the author
of the best selling book, Founding Mothers...The Women Who Raised Our Nation...was jokingly referencing comments that were made by America's first First Lady, Martha Washington, who...history has proven...called herself - as First Lady - "a state prisoner" in a 1789 letter to her niece.  Mrs. Washington, however...and her husband - "The Father Of Our Country" - President George Washington... did not live in The White House.  President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams were the first occupants of America's presidential palace.

     Mrs. Obama laughingly told Cokie Roberts that "there are prison elements to (living in The White House).  But it's a really nice prison.  You can't complain.  It's a great privilege."  And Mrs. Bush continued with the humor and referred to The White House as a prison "but with a chef."

     Since Mrs. Obama made her funny comment...water cooler conversation and comments throughout the blogosphere have criticized The First Lady for comparing her life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with that of being in jail.  That, of course, is nonsense and a bunch of hogwash.  Mrs. Obama made her remark in response to Cokie Roberts' question, which was asked all in good fun.  The fact of the matter is that similar comments have been made by other White House dwellers.  

President Harry Truman called it "a glamorous prison" and "the great white jail."  President Gerald Ford described living in the President's mansion as "the best public housing I've ever seen."  And President Bill Clinton labeled the commander-in-chief's residence in similar fashion stating, "I don't know whether it's the finest public housing in America or the crown jewel of the prison system." 

     Mrs. Obama noted that First Ladies "have probably the best jobs in the world because...unlike our husbands, who have to react and respond to crises on a minute by minute basis...we get to work on what we're passionate about."  But she noted..."there are confining elements"...while describing some of the restrictions of living in The White House.

     I'm amazed by the ignorant comments that are made by people across our great land...who simply read or hear a headline...that is used only as a tease...to get people to watch the rest of the cable news program...or to read the entire article of a newspaper or Internet Web site.  Then those headlines get transformed - by individuals around the nation - in to full stories... followed by person to person conversations...telephone gossip...social media chatter...and E-mails that spew venom, lies and falsehoods - only in an effort to humiliate and belittle a perfectly decent and honorable human being...who gives of herself everyday of her life.

     For anyone to think that Mrs. Obama would degrade the position she gladly and proudly holds...or that she would embarrass The President in any form...you are simply creating a bunch of blather and balderdash to blemish the beauty - inside and out - of the First Lady of the United States.  Michelle Obama...is a classy, charming and intelligent person...who is devoted and dedicated to helping other Americans.  And like her husband...Mrs. Obama happens to also have...a great sense of humor.  Perhaps some of you...should get the same.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

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