The interesting thing about hostility towards Michelle Obama on this board.

[Mooney]

Obviously nobody has to like Michelle Obama, and people can say what they want about her. But the level of hostility that she seems to inspire in some DUer's reminds me of nothing so much as 1992-era Republicans, when they would talk shit about Hillary Clinton. They would say the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds. You could tell though that the people who had a problem with Hillary in 1992 simply didn't like women who were too "lippy." It was more about hating women than about anything that Hillary Clinton had ever done or said.

So it's really surprising to me to hear people around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton. The irony, of course is that I mostly observe this from Hillary supporters. OK, not "mostly," what I should have said was "exclusively."

Does anyone else support the premise of my thread?

[DerekJ]

1. And we do have republicans on DU, regardless of what their voter registration card says.

[Mooney]

2. It certainly seems that way.

[madrchsod]

78. i noticed that..

maybe they were bored over there a decided to come here for laughs but all they are getting is ridiculed..they will go away when obama is declared the winner

[EFerrari]

3. I'll be a witness. Hillary was attacked in precisely the same way.

It was disgusting then and it's disgusting now, up to an including a recent post berating anyone who found Michele beautiful.

Michele, like Hillary before her, IS beautiful, talented, accomplished, and her own person. All kinds of cr@P will be attributed to her AND she will handle it just fine.

[Mooney]

6. Even if she's not beautiful, talented, accomplished, or her own person...

... I'm just surprised at the level of sheer vinegar that gets sent her way. I think it says a lot more about the people doing the flinging than it says about her.

[EFerrari]

9. Sure. But the parallels are remarkable and they'll only get more obvious

as the season goes on.

[Mooney]

14. Well I think the fact that there are people here

who seriously give a shit about her THESIS is pretty unbelievable.

[EFerrari]

18. Yep. That was / is over the top.

They never bother to find out what she thought but just pick out phrases to spin. Stupid, not to mention, obsessive.

[Mooney]

25. I just can't imagine caring about what the spouse of a presidential candidate

wrote in a paper for school. That has to be one of the least relevant criteria for voting for (or against) somebody that I can possibly imagine.

[Triana]

17. I have seen the same sexism towards Hillary here now and back in 92 and since...

...and I'm not a Hillary supporter. In the media, too. The media said things re: Hillary and reported on things in reference to her that they'd NEVER SAY or ask or discuss about a male candidate.

I don't claim she lost the nom because of sexism (she's just run a bad campaign) but I DO acknowledge that some of the sexist nasty stuff she and Michelle have to put up with is uncalled for and clearly just misogynist (even when women do or say it about her/them).

I've seen it, yes. Towards Michelle and Hillary.

Sexism and racism have both been front and center in this campaign. And the sexism you refer to (and racism too) has always been there. Yep. I've noticed it.

[EFerrari]

23. The treatment Hillary got when she was the front runner

was disgusting and I hope we made enough noise to let the media know it was unacceptable.

We may have to ramp up our protest again while Hillary is going off stage because it's unacceptable for her to be trashed as A WOMAN for running for office. I think I'll post a thread to remind folks to look out for that.

[Dammit Ann]

4. Totally.

I was just noticing that.

:shrug:

[rwheeler31]

5. No

[Mooney]

8. Care to elaborate?

This is a discussion board, after all.

[AZBlue]

7. Personally, I LOVE her.

Have always, long before Obama declared his POTUS candidacy.

[ekwhite]

10. I have seen some nasty stuff posted about Michelle Obama here

I put it in with the Rev. Wright stuff. Trying to say he is married to a 'scary black woman.' More dog whistle racism, with a little sexism thrown in.

[NashVegas]

38. Really? Where?

Where are "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds."

Because I haven't seen them. I think the OP is a total wad.

[Beregond2]

11. I have thought

exactly the same thing, and it makes me just as angry as it did when aimed at Hillary back then.

[dorktv]

12. huh? Only from the Clinton people?

How do you know that?

[Mooney]

15. Their Hillary avatars are a helpful clue.

[dorktv]

21. yeah but I have not seen any...nor is everyone who supports Senator Clinton

going to have an avatar.

[Mooney]

30. Well, there's one person who pops to mind

who doesn't have a Hillary avatar, but I know is a supporter.

[crankychatter]

13. they abide in the nether realm of the temporarily damned

I never see them... and now that you mention it... I'm damn glad

[GetTheRightVote]

16. I believe that Michelle will make a lovely first lady but she will also make a very dif one from HRC

She was very active in the White House before with Bill, more so then many first ladies were for sure.

[K8-EEE]

19. She was great on Colbert -- reminded me of Jackie Kennedy

I like her just fine!

[TheDebbieDee]

20. You think they're trying to "Hillary" Ms. Obama?

I would agree. The right-wing has done such a good job of maligning Hillary Clinton's (and Al Gore's) image that today even many Democrats are repeating their slams.

I believe that the right-wing smear machine will have Michelle Obama painted as a communist and a romantic interest for a major Al-Queda operative within 48 hours of Sen. Obama being sworn into office, if he wins the election.

ETA: I realized several weeks ago that many of the most vocal posters on this board may not actually support the candidate that they claim. DU has been inundated with with $hit-stirring trolls/posers since the Iowa Caucus.

[Mooney]

24. Yes and yes.

It's really weird to see around here. I would halfway expect to hear questions about what Obama did when he traveled to Moscow.

[NashVegas]

39. Prove It

[EFerrari]

27. The Clintons were the first couple the RW could attack

with their fully operational Noise Machine.

That's the template. :shrug:

[Bethany Rockafella]

22. I doubt if it's any worse than how Senator Hillary is treated?

Highly doubtful. Very sad, though.

[Mooney]

28. Well, Senator Clinton is running for president, so she's going to

face a lot of scorn. I could never run for president. The shit those people have to go through would flatten me. I wouldn't have the stomach for it. I think Senator Clinton has handled it capably during this campaign.

But when she was first lady (and especially before then, when Bill Clinton was a candidate) she was subjected to the same thing, and I don't think that's acceptable. You can't treat presidential spouses (or candidate spouses) that way. They're not running. And more to the point, how is it relevant? The reasons I would never vote for John McCain are endless, but not one of them has anything to do with Cindy McCain, you know?

[Hoof Hearted]

26. What's hysterical is those who will refuse to see the irony, y, the hypocrisy of this post.

[Mooney]

29. Tell me how I'm wrong.

This is a discussion board.

[Evergreen Emerald]

42. I know!!!

I just laugh and shake my head. I seriously think they have somehow justified their behavior in their own minds and do not see it.

[rodeodance]

62. YES _ ITS BO fans who talk about Hillary like the Repugs do! They constantly

use the same RW smears against Hillary!

[NashVegas]

65. More Like Outright Falsehoods

But that's what propaganda is all about.

[Undercurrent]

31. Yes

Yes it is quite unsettling to me these unkind and uncalled for remarks on a Democratic board aimed at Michelle. I didn't like it when similar insults were made about Hillary when Bill was running, and serving either.

The same was true, although to a lesser degree, for Rosalynn Carter as well. I had a conversation with my 87 year old dad about this, and he reminded me of the truly vicious attacks against Eleanor Roosevelt.

But still, I've never seen it occur with such venom in a group of Democrats against their own!

We can do better.
We must.
To much is at stake.

[boobooday]

32. Strong women seem to be threatening to some

Personally, Michelle strikes me as someone I would really like to know.

[DemVet]

33. No.

[Evergreen Emerald]

34. I am stunned. Stunned that you post this with complete ignorance or disregard

about how Clinton was treated on this board. This is stunning for you to recognize it when it comes to M.O. but not when it comes to H.C.

What is going on? Have you so dehumanized Clinton that you actually really do not see it?

[NashVegas]

37. I'd Like to See This Alleged Hostility to MO Here

I think this is a load of crap.

[LeFleur1]

57. Here Ya Go

Here ya go. If anything like this had been said about Obama's manhood or his race there would have been hell to pay. But since it's a woman you seem to think these shitforbrains attacks are okay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcdnlNZg2iM

[NashVegas]

58. We Are Talking About Democratic Underground, As the OP Insists This Hostility Is Here

Where on DU is there a pattern of anyone saying of Michelle Obama, "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds." Where in DU do people "around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton." ?

[LizW]

41. Ironic and frightening

It is frightening how Democrats, many of them bearing the self-granted label of "Cultural Creatives," can willingly dehumanize Hillary to the point where I believe many of them could do her physical harm if given the opportunity.

[Binka]

51. Do Her Physical Harm?

Oh sweet Mother Of God hyperbole much? What a ridiculous assertion. You watch too much television Liz. A little walk might do you some good. WTF is a "Cultural Creative?" Did you get that from Fox News?

[comrade snarky]

103. Look! Up in the Sky!

It's!

http://xs217.xs.to/xs217/07284/CaptainHyperbole!.jpg

[chascarrillo]

66. Have you so dehumanized Michelle that you actually really do not see it?

I am stunned.

[AllentownJake]

76. Hillary is running for President

Michelle Obama isn't.

EOM

[dansolo]

35. The more disturbing thing is that the attacks come from Hillary supporters

The same ones who shout sexism any time any criticism is leveled towards Hillary.

[NashVegas]

36. I Reject the Premise of Your Thread All the Way to Cape Fucking Hope

Michelle Obama's name on Democratic Underground hasn't seen even 1/1000th of the criticism Hillary Clinton's has, or 1/500,000th of the hostility.

But go ahead, try to prove it. Try to find me the tens, maybe hundreds of thousands of "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds," that were said on Democratic Underground's GD: P about Michelle Obama.

You won't because you can't, because even if there are such things said here, they are a spec of sand in the ocean of the anti-Hillary Clinton zealotry.


Save the propaganda for Free Republic. Hillary Clinton's female supporters don't go around getting postal on other women, Republicans excepted. Then, all bets are off.

[cornermouse]

40. The worst thing I've seen is where she said

that she wanted to rip Bill Clinton's eyes out. Supposedly it was a joke? Oddly enough, it didn't seem very amusing to me. I had thought and said she had the potential to be a good First Lady earlier. Not so sure now.

[frickaline]

43. well its not funny if you take it out of context. most jokes arent. nt

[cornermouse]

45. That's not the kind of joke I would find funny in any context.

[frickaline]

44. K&R let's just keep this in mind and make sure it doesn't happen

[NashVegas]

46. Why Are You Kicking a Thread That's Based on a False Premise?

How will this ensure Michelle Obama isn't attacked in the same manner HC was, and why would anyone even think she would be, on Democratic Underground?

[frickaline]

48. so .. you are saying on DU there has never been sexism toward either Hillary or Michelle?

I think if you read up a few eyewitnesses might disagree.

[NashVegas]

49. I'm Saying

This thread is based on a false premise.

I'm saying that anyone who claims Michelle Obama's person has been subjected to "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds," on Democratic Underground is full of kaka.

[frickaline]

50. and what exactly would that be? nt

[frickaline]

59. and I kick the thread ...

to remind us all what happened to Hillary and to say "good point, let's make sure history doesn't repeat itself on this"

I still don't understand what the problem with that is.

[NashVegas]

60. I Guess If You Want to Propagate Untruths About Democratic Underground

that's your business. :shrug:

[frickaline]

61. do you read every single post on this board?

How can you prove this wild conjecture?

And why do you shy away when specifically asked what this "untruth" is?

[NashVegas]

63. The OP Is The One Being Challenged to Prove Their Assertion

Anyone who agrees with that OP is welcome to step in and prove it, themselves.

That people on are saying of Michelle Obama, "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds."

The OP claims on Democratic Underground, people "around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton." ?

Those claims are what's being challenged.

[frickaline]

67. And I'm challenging YOUR claim by the same logic

Can you prove there has never been sexism expressed on DU toward Michelle Obama?

I kicked this thread expressing the need to all be aware of sexism since it has been a problem in the past. You tell me there is no need to be aware of sexism, it simply doesn't exist.

Well, PROVE IT.

[NashVegas]

71. Now You're Making False Claims About What I've Said

"You tell me there is no need to be aware of sexism, it simply doesn't exist."

This is completely untrue. I have said - repeatedly - that the OPs claims that people on are saying of Michelle Obama, "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds," are false.

I have said, repeatedly, that the OP's claim that people on DU "around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton," is false.

I have said that the assertion that "the level of hostility that she seems to inspire in some DUer's reminds me of nothing so much as 1992-era Republicans, when they would talk shit about Hillary Clinton," is false.

Nowhere, in any of those statements, is there anything claiming people don't need to be aware of sexism. Nowhere, in any of those statements, is there anything about sexism,period.

I can't prove there's never been sexism said against Michelle Obama - but I don't have to. I'm not the one who made the original assertion of what was said about Michelle Obama.

The OP and those who agree are the ones with the burden of proving their claims. I'm calling bullshit and will continue to until someone can show a distinct pattern of people on Democratic Underground, Hillary Clinton supporters especially as the OP states, speaking of Michelle Obama "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds."

[frickaline]

72. so you agree with my reasoning for kicking this thread then?

[NashVegas]

73. LOL

Oh, it's insurance.

'scuse me.

[frickaline]

75. I'd hope you'd think of it as education, a lesson from the past.

[NashVegas]

77. Nah

I'll think of it as someone seconding a propaganda piece.

Sorry.

[frickaline]

85. sexism is propaganda now, LMAO

:rofl: you are a piece of work.

Oh btw you might want to head on down to #79

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5922711&mesg_id=5924907

seems you have your work cut out for you.

[Mass]

47. She is an independant woman who voices her opinions. Some people do not like that.

The same thing happened with Teresa Heinz, and of course Hillary Clinton.

It is not a question of people supporting Hillary (though some of these people are indeed supporting Hillary: it is indeed easier for her supporters to voice this than for Obama supporters). It is about people who dislike strong independent women who can think without their husband permission. They prefer Stepford wives. This is the sad part of it.

[NashVegas]

52. Where On Democratic Underground

Is there a pattern of anyone saying of Michelle Obama, "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds." Where do people "around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton." ?

[undeterred]

53. I think she is terrific.

And I don't care what anyone else thinks. The press always trashes any woman who isn't a stepford wife, like they did to Teresa Heinz Kerry.

[NashVegas]

55. Where On Democratic Underground

Is there a pattern of anyone saying of Michelle Obama, "the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds." Where do people "around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton." ?

[seaglass]

69. There isn't Crisco. It's just that if you don't join in and agree that

obviously Michelle is the next Jackie Kennedy you must be unhinged.

[rodeodance]

70. they can not answer that cause it is a false claim.

[PM7nj]

79. Here is a small sample:

Michelle is "classless"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=334x4752

"Michelle Obama's racism against white people is palpable."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5059535&mesg_id=5059678

"She sounds like a Bowery fish wife when she belittles her husband in front of a crowd in her rude raspy voice."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3495710&mesg_id=3500290

"Obamarosa"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4720046#4720126


And look at this, it's YOU attacking Michelle Obama!!! http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4695304

Do you need me to find more?

[NashVegas]

84. Wow! 5 Posts!

5 posts, against the thousands of over-top-attacks against HC.

One of them is from someone who's even on *my* ignore list, I have no clue what "Obamarosa" means, and as for my own, I stand by it.There is nothing unhinged or hysterical about pointing out how Republicans would react to Michelle Obama's "For the first time in my adult life ..." remarks. The "fishwife," I'll give ya.

[PM7nj]

87. 7 more!

"Michelle Obama reportedly wrote a racist thesis."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5492028&mesg_id=5492458

"Michelle 'Don't I look like Jackie Kennedy in this outfit' Obama"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4658171#4658383

"can't he CONTROL her??!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4658171#4662865

"Michelle Obama - the poster girl of bitter" "Whats wrong with this woman??"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5522982

"What a nasty woman."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=334&topic_id=9020&mesg_id=10426

"Evita"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=334&topic_id=9020&mesg_id=9087

"MO seems racist to me"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=334x8100#8126

Can you honestly tell me this is not the same shit the right wing did to Hillary?

[NashVegas]

88. OMG! "Michelle Obama reportedly wrote a racist thesis." That's Your Definition of Unhinged?

I'd can't wait until you get to deranged.

[PM7nj]

90. Yes, it is unhinged when it is coming from fellow Democrats.

I thought none of this stuff existed anyway? That's what you kept saying until I proved you wrong. Now, you can say those statements don't meet your standards of derangement, but at least admit that some people here have said horrible and untrue things about Michelle Obama.

[lumberjack_jeff]

100. Right. It's right up there with accusing HRC of murdering Vince Foster. Exactly the same.

:eyes:

Uh, they do not meet *any* standards of derangement.

[Marrah_G]

54. I don't care for her, but I also wouldn't attack her.

I also have rarely seen a bad thing said about her on this board. Seems to me, most here think she is terrific. So I'm a bit perplexed why you would think she wasn't liked here.

[crankychatter]

56. I've never said a bad word about the wives... except Bill Clinton

and Michelle Obama?

good grief, what's wrong with people?

She's a delightful person... wtf?

and HOW relevant is that?

[BlackVelvet04]

64. LOL.....

"So it's really surprising to me to hear people around here talk about Michelle Obama in the same hysterical, irrational way that Republicans used to talk about Hillary Clinton."

You must mean the same hysterical, irrational way that Obama supporters talk about Hillary (just like the Republicans.)

[NashVegas]

68. What's Even Funnier

Is that these allegedly "most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her, stuff that no rational person would take seriously for two seconds," don't exist.

[PM7nj]

80. Really?

Michelle is "classless"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=334x4752

"Michelle Obama's racism against white people is palpable."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5059535&mesg_id=5059678

"She sounds like a Bowery fish wife when she belittles her husband in front of a crowd in her rude raspy voice."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3495710&mesg_id=3500290

"Obamarosa"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4720046#4720126


And look at this, it's YOU attacking Michelle Obama!!! http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4695304

[crankychatter]

81. ignored never lets the facts effect opinions

they're completely dissociative

[Forkboy]

83. Looks like we can add Crisco to the hypocrite list with Rodeo.

[rodeodance]

86. LOL. a biggo 3

[WinkyDink]

74. Have you read the various posts here about Hillary?

[madrchsod]

82. agreed

but i think most of it comes from the trolls from the weak knee democrats to racist rightwing sites

[lumberjack_jeff]

89. Really?

I've yet to read any threads accusing her of murdering her lawyer or conducting a lesbian extramarital affair.

I'm sure she's a likable person, and I have a lot of respect for her achievements. She is a loose cannon however, who cannot seem to keep to the script. She is no less "lippy" than Bill Clinton, but unlike the former president, she hasn't earned the right to get away with it.

And no, the premise is bogus.

[brentspeak]

91. I'm hostile to Michelle Obama's use of the race-card

Such as when she cynically misappropriated Bill Clinton's use of the words "fairy tale" to falsely imply he was a racist.

[EFerrari]

92. That unfortunate statement was broadly heard in the same way

by many people, not only Michele Obama. And the term "race card" is generally employed to shut up discussions of race and in particular, racism.

[brentspeak]

93. No, the term "race card" is being employed here to accurately describe M. Obama's behaviour

And the only "unfortunate statement" made was Michelle Obama's. She was a complete idiot and race-baiter for cynically taking Bill Clinton's comments completely out-of-context to outrageously imply he was a racist. Who gives a rip who else and how many of them also told the "fairy tale" lie? Are you saying that Michelle Obama is simply stupid, dumb? Everyone else was doing it, so therefore, she's can't be blamed?

[EFerrari]

94. Well, you've been informed and now can't claim not to know

what you are doing. And no, I am saying that Michele heard and interpreted that remark as many people did, myself included. The only blame lies with Clinton, who has peppered his speech with similar remarks through out most of the campaign.

[brentspeak]

95. Thank you for not making a bit a sense (as usual)

:thumbsdown:

[brentspeak]

96. I've "been informed" of what?

That you're proud of sharing Michelle Obama's idiocy in regard to the "fairy tale" slur?

[EFerrari]

98. Tell you what, why don't we just not do this? Why don't I wish you

Happy Mothers' Day, lol, and we'll leave it at that? :)

[rug]

97. "They would say the most ridiculous, unhinged shit imaginable about her"

The irony is that thoe Republican attacks on Hillary Clinton in 1992 are the same attacks made on her in GDP in 2008.

[lumberjack_jeff]

101. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I guess. n/t

[Aloha Spirit]

99. Are you trying to pave the way for Michelle Obama '16?

[Political Tiger]

102. Michelle Obama = CLASS!