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RandySF

(58,794 posts)
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:03 PM Nov 2014

GOP Staffer Apologizes For Lecturing Obama Daughters To 'Show A Little Class'

A Republican staffer on Friday apologized for a Facebook post that criticized Malia and Sasha Obama's appearance at the annual White House turkey pardon ceremony, one of America's silliest holiday traditions.

Elizabeth Lauten, the communications director for Rep. Stephen Fincher (R-Tenn.), wrote that the two teenagers should "try showing a little class," "dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar," and, most of all, "don't make faces" at Very Serious public events.

Read the full rant via Gawker:

Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised public events.

The First Daughters join President Obama at the ceremony every year, where they can hardly contain their disdain for the lame dad jokes that predictably follow. Before approaching Mac and Cheese, the two turkeys, the president remarked that it was "puzzling that I do this every year." Malia even declined her father's offer to pet one of the pardoned turkeys with a nonchalant, "Nah."

Lauten later apologized for rushing to judgement on Facebook.

"I reacted to an article and quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager," she said. "After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents and re-reading my words online, I can see more clearly how hurtful my words were. Please know that these judgmental feelings truly have no pace in my heart. Furthermore, I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience."




http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/gop-staffer-apologizes-for-lecturing-obama-daughters-to-show-a-little-class/ar-BBg8JmR?ocid=mailsignout
23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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GOP Staffer Apologizes For Lecturing Obama Daughters To 'Show A Little Class' (Original Post) RandySF Nov 2014 OP
Ok, that sounded like... demwing Nov 2014 #1
She was called on her stupidity. lpbk2713 Nov 2014 #2
What is this racist bullshit? shenmue Nov 2014 #3
This ain't no apology. pangaia Nov 2014 #4
Could it be she really had Skidmore Nov 2014 #5
Well, you are a bigger man than I a,. pangaia Nov 2014 #7
"I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words, Schema Thing Nov 2014 #10
She was not able to say the words Malia and Sasha. pangaia Nov 2014 #13
Which means, IMO, a fake apology. Not accepted. DinahMoeHum Nov 2014 #16
+ 2,475,680,125 pangaia Nov 2014 #18
Not really, this mentality is part of why we are always in a hole. TheKentuckian Nov 2014 #12
I think her remarks about those two lovely young women Skidmore Nov 2014 #19
I'll drink to that. pangaia Nov 2014 #20
I think she means it - LiberalElite Nov 2014 #6
I take her at her word and do not judge her heart Gman Nov 2014 #8
At least THIS apology seems sincere enough. AverageJoe90 Nov 2014 #9
Best comment on her "apology" ever.. Cha Nov 2014 #11
Spot at a bar? HockeyMom Nov 2014 #14
After all, their father is a Muslin (sic). lpbk2713 Nov 2014 #17
Lecturing? Seriously, you would have to be a somebody first for them to notice. Rex Nov 2014 #15
Go Cheney yourself Elizabeth Lauten malaise Nov 2014 #21
Better than the typical sarisataka Nov 2014 #22
And where the hell was she when the Bush twins were living it up in Texas? 47of74 Nov 2014 #23

lpbk2713

(42,757 posts)
2. She was called on her stupidity.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:08 PM
Nov 2014



If you're going to say or do something colossally dumb don't
do it where millions of people can see it and react to it.

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
4. This ain't no apology.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:18 PM
Nov 2014

To quote myself in a similar thread..

"She has to.. PRAY ??? WTF?
She has to... talk with her parents? WTF?
She has to.....re read the article?...... WTF..

Her whole thing is her hatred of the President.. that's it..
(THAT part got left out here....)

Fake, pseudo-xtian ignorant pos..."

Skidmore

(37,364 posts)
5. Could it be she really had
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:23 PM
Nov 2014

a true learning experience? What if her parents are not as inflexible in their political or religious beliefs as those she has come to associate with as an adult?

I'm willing to take her apology and watch how she acts in the future. I gues I'm not inclined to think that all people cannot learn fromt their errors.

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
7. Well, you are a bigger man than I a,.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:35 PM
Nov 2014

Or, seeing as you are "Skidmore', maybe ..woman.

But she never apologized.
Plus, how could anyone with any type of developed brain think such a thing, much less put it in print?

Schema Thing

(10,283 posts)
10. "I'd like to apologize to all of those who I have hurt and offended with my words,
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:42 PM
Nov 2014

... and pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience."

pangaia

(24,324 posts)
13. She was not able to say the words Malia and Sasha.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:47 PM
Nov 2014

Sorry, in my opinion, she has no idea where inside her the words came from.

DinahMoeHum

(21,784 posts)
16. Which means, IMO, a fake apology. Not accepted.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:52 PM
Nov 2014

The fake contrition is all about Lauten.
Not Sasha or Malia, who were basically called tawdry bar trash by that immature, unprofessional, low-class a-hole.

TheKentuckian

(25,026 posts)
12. Not really, this mentality is part of why we are always in a hole.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:47 PM
Nov 2014

They come after us hammer and tongs 24/7 365, ever calling for scalps for any reason, even utterly fabricated ones while we are quick to forgive, wait and see, and seek to reach out our burned, gnarled, stumps at any opportunity.

I call it being a chump and a mark.

Skidmore

(37,364 posts)
19. I think her remarks about those two lovely young women
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:57 PM
Nov 2014

were ugly to be sure. I'm not defending her on any account. Sometimes people learn from their stupidity and change, then sometimes they just get sneakier. I wonder which path she'll choose.

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)
6. I think she means it -
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:28 PM
Nov 2014

(the apology that is) there's no "if I offended anyone I'm sorry" crocodile tears baloney.

Gman

(24,780 posts)
8. I take her at her word and do not judge her heart
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:39 PM
Nov 2014

That sounds like she did what she had to do as a person to see how offending she was. I think her apology was very sincere.

And apparently the apology was deleted off her FB page according to other articles.

 

AverageJoe90

(10,745 posts)
9. At least THIS apology seems sincere enough.
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:40 PM
Nov 2014

Let's hope that it is indeed genuine.....time will tell, I guess.

Cha

(297,184 posts)
11. Best comment on her "apology" ever..
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:45 PM
Nov 2014
People need to learn to take a moment and think before speaking/typing,” wrote Instagram commenter “pattijolie.” “Once your words and thoughts have been put out there, the damage is done. She should know better being in her position. Her post was callus and hateful… Apology NOT accepted.”

Picking on the Obama Girls Isn’t Smart, Especially if You Work for a GOP Congressman

http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/11/elizabeth_lauten_faces_backlash_after_scolding_sasha_and_malia_on_facebook.html?wpisrc=topstories
 

HockeyMom

(14,337 posts)
14. Spot at a bar?
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 07:48 PM
Nov 2014

Excuse me? These young women are totally covered up. Does she want them to wear burqas? I guess she herself has never been to a bar.

sarisataka

(18,632 posts)
22. Better than the typical
Sat Nov 29, 2014, 08:48 PM
Nov 2014

I'm sorry for anyone who may have been offended...

But since the statement was addressed to Sasha and Malia, the apology should be addressed to them as well.

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