There's No "I" In "Team" But Michelle Delivers "I" And "Me"

Does Michelle Obama have any serious staff support in the White House, or is she just surrounded by fan boys and sychophants?  The LA Times presents her speech to the International Olympic Committee.  A writing Tip From Tom - if you have a speech where "I" and "me" appear an average of twice per sentence, take it back to rewrite; this might be the unlucky day when someone in the audience does not share your conviction that it is All About You.

I exhort the bold among my readers to steel themselves and bash through Michelle's effort.  But for those with good judgment or little time, here is the summary -

I would really like these games to come to Chicago.  My beautiful daughters would like the Games to come to Chicago.  My wonderful husband, who has brought hope and change to the world, would like the Games to come to Chicago.  But more important than all of that, bringing the Games to Chicago would be a wonderful way to honor my father, now deceased, who had Multiple Scelrosis.

I have no doubt he was a wonderful man who was very proud of his daughter and justly so, but, umm, so what?  A good sales pitch explains the benefits of saying "yes" and needs to get beyond "I'll be so happy if you give me the order".  I guess the delegates were expected to be thrilled to have a chance to put a smile on Michelle's face.  Didn't work. 

WE'RE NOT ROOTING AGAINST AMERICA, WE'RE ROOTING FOR RIO:

"We were teasing her this morning and we said, 'Well, it's time for the closer to come out again,'" Jarrett said with a laugh.

"We were all teasing her this morning and we said, 'Well, it's time for the loser to come out again,'" Sue said with a laugh.

CAN'T SPELL "OMG' WITHOUT OBAMA:  Posse Incitatus shortens the Huckster-in-Chief:

Basically, he told the IOC that they should choose Chicago because Obama did.

And because Michelle is hot.

ALTERED STATES:  Ann Althouse tackles that timeless query, how did you hate the speeches?  With video of Michelle and Barack, for the truly brave.  I endured nearly 1 minute 45 seconds of Michelle...

Comments

[centralcal]

Hey, Appalled Barfer person -

You must be new to these parts. Soylent is protected by an invisible shield of JOM women who will chew you up, spit you out, and then reduce you to ash.

[Rick Ballard]

GK,

I believe that we shall know that this herculean O-lympdic effort marks the true end of the beginning when Jon Stewart remarks upon Empress Rolo's beauty only being exceeded by Emperor Iwon's intellect on a regular basis. That moment may well be at hand.

[Strawman Cometh]

The IOC announcement left Chicago residents despondent: “It’s pretty heartbreaking,” said Omar Brown, a shoe-shine man.

There-there Omar, no loss to you, no shine biz in sneakers.

[Jane]

Wasn't this a wonderful day! The "O" fails not only at home, but abroad!

I just got off the phone with Caro who has finally sailed into the Bay State and when I told her the news she cheered. We just can't help ourselves.

O is so big on docking executive pay. Maybe he should pay for this little trip based on his abysmal performance.

[Extraneus]

Interestingly, Rio picked up just about all the votes that went to Chicago in Round 1. Madrid only gained 1 vote in Round 2, with Tokyo only losing 2. Then all the Tokyo votes went to Rio for the win in Round 3. The totals were slightly different in each round, but Madrid stayed relatively constant throughout.

Vote totals:

Round 1: Madrid - 28, Rio - 26, Tokyo - 22, Chicago - 18

Round 2: Rio - 46, Madrid - 29, Tokyo - 20

Round 3: Rio - 66, Madrid - 32

[Soylent Red]

Hey Birfer...

You know what's worse than a crypto-Muslim Kendonesian?

A COMMIE crypto-Muslim Kendonesian who doesn't know who his real daddy is. With big ears and no jump shot.

[Strawman Cometh]

Heh, Melinda, are you drunk to type?

[Appalled Birfer]

"Soylent is protected by an invisible shield of JOM women who will chew you up, spit you out, and then reduce you to ash."

Yeah. They seem like Vikings with wooden swords. Make a lot of noise but don't do much damage.

[Strawman Cometh]

All appearances notwithstanding, I'm not.

[bgates]

"One IOC member said: “How can we give the symbol of peace to a country that is at war?”

Quite right. There's no way the Summer Olympics could be held in a nuclear power that's at war in Afghanistan.

[Soylent Red]

And a wife with a bulldog underbite and two-axe-handle ass.

[Ann]

cc,

Clinking your glass with a toast: "O" what a wonderful day!

mmm mmm mmm! Barack Hussein Obama! Can't live down this Olympic drama. Pissed off his babies' mama :)

[Gregory Koster]

"Wasn't this a wonderful day! The "O" fails not only at home, but abroad!"

Yeah, but the nation is stuck with the bill for The Once's tuition. That's why I get irked by the Birthers: If you have something, get on with it and save us more tuition bills. Otherwise, head on over to T. Boone Pickens and get his wind farms rolling with your emissions.

The nation is going to be in poor shape by the time The Once is canned and sent to play with Billyboy and Jimmy Bumpkin. No help for it.

Rick, I don't think Stewart is there yet, nor even close. A lot more tuition bills need to come in that affect Stewart personally, before he'll change. Proof? What has he said about Polanski? Just this. When he starts kicking Polanski, The Once better worry.

[clarice]

jmh, that allen video is so weird it's beyond description.

Soylent--good for you!

Capt Hate..one day I hope to find Brundage's grave and piss on it..and put a boquet on the grave of that wonderful Jesse Owens.

[clarice]

**bouquet**

[Ann]

Today's Pic

F.A.I.L.U.R.E.

[Pagar]

"This has got to be incorrect."

It appears to be correct. There is no way that you can convince me that most parents want this individual anywhere around their children.

The second part of the same problem is that once anyone takes a look at anyone in the Obama Administration, the same thing is found. They have real background problems that make them unsuitable for high level employment.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

I met Jesse Owens when he was hospitalized with lung problems related to smoking and he was a very gracious man who was screwed over by the American amateur athletic drones after representing the country in the 36 games.

Jim Thorpe was one of my childhood heroes — an injun role-model if you will.

[PeterUK]

Ann.

Michelle looks like she is crushing Barry's hand.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Why do you hate America?

Don't.

Just hate idiots.

The supply is apparently endless.

[clarice]

He was great, too, Chaco.

For masochists only--the Senate Finance Committee version of Obamacare--all 262 pp of it:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/read-draft-senate-finance-committees-health-care-reform-bill/>Get out the garlic and the wooden cross,mom!

[Ann]

PUK,

I am sure she crushed more than his hand. :)

[Extraneus]

It just goes to show, this American racial-grievance story is reaching the end of its useful life, and these two are accelerating that end. That was the subtext of both of their remarks to the IOC, and they were met with "Who gives a shit?" If these two Ivy League pretenders are what it takes to shorten the time it would have taken us to finally end AA, it might end up being worth it all.

I haven't seen any polls about people's sympathy for AA from before the O until now, but I'd be surprised if it isn't tanking big-time.

[Thomas Collins]

That's the look of folks who thought they had it in the bag, and when they opened the bag, found Monopoly $$$ instead of real payola.

Well, I hope there is a comfortable couch or EZ-Chair in the White House for POTUS to sleep in tonight.

[PeterUK]

But,but,this is the Symbol of Peace and Harmony,the Olympics. The Obamas should be happy that Brazil has won. It isn't winning that counts,it is taking part...isn't it?

[Soylent Red]

Ann: Oh that picture! Awesome. The look on Barry's face is just unbelievably good.

I have now moved into the Brazillian Chorinho tango music phase of my celebration.

[centralcal]

Anna Banana - you rock!!

Soylent took the words right out of my mind.

[Rick Ballard]

For those uncertain as to the real meaning of today's payroll numbers - Thud, Dud and Crud (a nine page primer regarding the second leg).

[PeterUK]

Have some pity Mr Red. Barry will never play the piano accordion again.

[Fresh Air]

CH--

The whole idea was madness from the get-go. The city only has five or six stadia large enough, and two of those are spoken for by baseball teams in August. They were going to ride horses in Waukegan, which is an hour away. They were going to race bikes in Madison, which is 2 1/2 hours away. Even the lake winds aren't always cooperative for sailing. We have no Olympic pools, and the only ice arena would presumably also be used for basketball. Then you've got the fact that the Washington Park area is basically a slum with some parkland and a golf course nearby. It would be extremely dangerous for foreigners if they got off a couple stops in the wrong direction.

Layer on the corruption, the featherbedding, the unions getting theirs and the whole den of Democrat thieves and you've got a monstrous brew of debt, scandal and embarrassing failure on the stove.

The firms here have all been strong-armed into "backing the bid," as the posters all say. But that doesn't mean they want to pay for the bid, and it certainly doesn't mean the employees and other citizens want the goddamn Olympics either.

That Zero got taken down a couple of pegs with windbag Oprah is just icing on the cupcake.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Strawman-

You callin' me out?

(ducks head)

[Melinda Romanoff]

dinner.

[Ann]

Did someone say encore? (Pic #2)

The Agony of Defeat! (and a large ass)

[RichatUF]

Rick-

He might be able to bury the bls release for Friday, but it'll still be news over the weekend. Chicago not getting the Olympics is a one day story. That 9.8% unemployment rate isn't going anywhere. I head him babbling about "jobs of the 21st Century take time" sometime this afternoon. Good grief.

[MayBee]

Please, someone tell Michelle to stand up straight.

[PeterUK]

Either Michelle is a Mason or she is breaking his wrist.

[PeterUK]

Maybee. It's a bit hard balancing that load.

[RichatUF]

FA-

This is why I should read the threads. This is a gem:

That Zero got taken down a couple of pegs with windbag Oprah is just icing on the cupcake.

[JM Hanes]

Extraneus:

"It just goes to show, this American racial-grievance story is reaching the end of its useful life...."

It looks like it the next big thing may be the entitlement story. The Guardian's live blog noted that Oprah may have lost some votes for the windy city by preempting IOC wives on the elevators. The Guardian account as a whole is an entertaining read:

8.55am Barack answers a question about the travel infrastructure supporting all the visitors. "America is at its best when it's open to the world.... Chicago, we've got everybody, this could be a meeting in Chicago, we look like the world!... We are linked to the world." He gets some applause, but there's no doubt he's better with an autocue. That was a bit like a first draught of an advert for McDonalds or a new and extra friendly brand of chewing gum.

[....]

2.34pm 89-year-old Juan Antonio Samaranch, former IOC president, basically asks the IOC to give Spain the Olympics as a personal favour to him, because he's going to die soon.

Coming soon, Obama, on how thrilled he is for his good friend Lula "I Love That Guy" da Silva, and Chicago's South American sister, melting pot in the mirror, beacon of hope to the developing world and the downtrodden here at home.... We share your dreams of a better, greener world; your victory is a victory for all us. There are no losers here.

[clarice]

Still no entries in the design Michelle a dress for the first state dinner?
C'mon--until we have one all the difficult preparations on that poor girl's head are on hold.

[Thomas Collins]

See LUN for those who can't wait until 2012 to Samba Up in Rio.

[Soylent Red]

Holy smokes!

Did you knowCarmen Miranda was from Brasil? The things you learn on iTunes!

No mention here if this is where Worf gets her fashion sense.

[clarice]

I knew that, Soylent.

[JM Hanes]

I knew that, Soylent.

[Ann]

Isn't Michelle's ass too big to fail?

(someone has to do bad's work while she is home recovering...:) )

[Thomas Collins]

See LUN for a little music for the occasion.

[PeterUK]

Soylent,I posted the FLOTUS's formal dinner gown before/

[PeterUK]

I knew that Soylent.

[Appalled Birfer]

Anyways, I've heard enough about the epic "O! Limp Dick" fail in Copenhagen for a while... let's talk about my son in Iraq now.

[Jane]

Either Michelle is a Mason or she is breaking his wrist.

Why is it that all presidential couples feel the need to hold hands constantly? How many married couples do you know who are constantly firmly grasped together?

[Thomas Collins]

I didn't know that, Soylent.

[Jane]

let's talk about my son in Iraq now.

Ahhh that incessant need for attention. I wonder if narcissists are drawn to other narcissists - which seems odd, but likely.

[Soylent Red]

Poor Soylent led a sheltered life. Let's not harsh his groove tonight, hmmmmmm?

Of course this is what Worf will go with.

QI'yaH!

[PeterUK]

"Anyways, I've heard enough about the epic "O! Limp Dick" fail in Copenhagen for a while... let's talk about my son in Iraq now."

No that's enough limp dick,even for you.

[clarice]

Maybe we ought to bring a Brazilian troupe to play those songs in the park across from the WH for a couple of weeks.

[Pagar]

"The whole idea was madness from the get-go."

In case you haven't seen these figures before:

". And Olympics and cost overruns go hand in hand. Currently, the City of Vancouver, host of the 2012 Winter Olympics is on the hook for $6 billion in Olympics cost overruns – which may bankrupt the city. The 2012 Summer Games in London are 4-times over budget, with a total bill of at least $20 billion."

[Jim Ryan]

Antonio Carlos Jobim. Crank it up.

[bishop]

That was an appallingly cloying and self indulgent presentation, no wonder it was turned down. Given a few hours, I could probably have come up with a better argument
referring Chicago's rich history as part of
the Industrial Heartland, the Windy City, the home of Sandburg nd Schurz, and a few lines cribbed from the movie "Barcelona", which in part deals with the noxious effect
of Anti Americanism overseas. The fact that he would expend so much time and money on such a fool's errand, when bigger issues
were at stake, well it's typical of the administration in general.

[Elliott]

Clarice,

"Fool on the Hill" is on Brasil '66's greatest hits album.

[Ignatz]

You know, Michelle from the front or back seems to me merely a bit broad in the beam, but from the side there is something positively dysmorphic going on.

Maybe she picked up a parasite in some of her world travels.
Perhaps we'll see her on an episode of Monsters Inside Me.

[Rick Ballard]

Jane,

He's just keeping her from going for the batleth. It's a safety measure.

[Soylent Red]

Maybe we ought to bring a Brazilian troupe to play those songs in the park across from the WH for a couple of weeks.

Oh yeah.Blast that stuff in at about 100K watts. The full Noriega treatment.

This is why God will never allow me to be rich. Because I would SO do it.

[RichatUF]

Rick-

Thanks for the zerohedge link. It was a good read.

[Extraneus]

I'm no fashion maven, although I do think I could do excellent work outfitting Carla Bruni if I had the opportunity, but don't the belts make Madame's top look smaller and bottom look bigger than they would without the belts? What's the point?

[Soylent Red]

but don't the belts make Madame's top look smaller and bottom look bigger than they would without the belts? What's the point?

They're trying to distract us from the economy!

[Sue]

What's the point?

She doesn't have a waistline and apparently someone somewhere had told her a belt would help with that problem. The problem with that though is her waistline is underneath her boobs, because it is the only place it will fit. I would never put a belt that far up and I am a skinny bastard. It would drive me nuts, the fell of it underneath my arms.

[PD]

Oprah would have suggested Michelle add in some words about Oprah.

Excuse me, the proper term of address is The Oprah.

[clarice]

Soylent--we could do it will portable dvds or something the next time you're in town!

[Jim Ryan]

Jobim's Desafinado.

[Extraneus]

I guess it goes to what Clarice has said a few times: What would it take to get someone with eyesight out of the legally-blind range to help her?

Just fanboys and fangirls in the White House, apparently. And don't get me wrong, I think that's just the ticket to take this bunch down in the most embarrassing way.

[Thomas Collins]

Brazilian Night At JOM wouldn't be complete without footage of Pele weaving through traffic to score a goal. See LUN.

[Melinda Romanoff]

No offense, but I do think Getz/Gilberto is the way to go.

And, I believe, they both are wearing underwear, something Miss Miranda often forgot.

[Jim Ryan]

Rio's airport is Galeão - Antonion Carlos Jobim Airport. I'm just sayin'.

[Ratskeller]

Let's not overdo it making the IOC out to be heroes or something, regardless of how one feels about the Chicago bid outcome or the Obamas. The IOC is comprised mostly of individuals who are quirky, tetchy, self-important, unpredictible, and eurocentric. Not a few members of the IOC over the past couple of decades are well documented to be corrupt, and many in their ranks can probably give Chicago pols a run for their money in terms of graft, double dealing and getting their palms greased.

[Jane]

batleth

The things I am forced to look up around here.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Jobim is playing with them.

[Melinda Romanoff]

on his own songs.

[RichatUF]

And not to interrupt the snark, but Obama had his Panama Canal moment pretty early in his term (much earlier than I anticipated), and has decided it would be better if China, Russia, the UN, and the OIC had control of the internet.

What could go wrong?

[Sue]

I'm assuming that half the population of Chicago are republicans since democrats are blaming republicans for Obama's failure by not rooting for his success loudly enough, or something. Since the vote was almost evenly split whether Chicagoans wanted the Olympics, the only explanation I could think of, following democrats' logic, is we need to get those republicans in Chicago to start voting republican.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Jane-

The Bat'leth? As in Klingon?

[Jim Ryan]

Mel, I know you like Mulligan. On clarinet with Jobim.

[PeterUK]

Ratskeller.
Exactly,if the Chicagoans cannot appeal and connect with their own kind what use are they?

[Melinda Romanoff]

Sue-

Which half of the residents of Cook County, IL, whom do NOT work for The City Of Chicago or Cook County, might not want to see their counterparts on the other side get paid off AGAIN?

It's always re-run night in Cook County.

But, I'm not bitter.

[Jim Ryan]

Don't feel bad for the O's. They'll have a coupla scotches and a coupla these tonight.

[Extraneus]

Polanski would probably recommend ludes.

[willem]

Joao Gilberto. The bliss of Samba at LUN.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Jim!

Thank you for that! I only heard that he would play the "licorice stick" on occaision from my dad, because that's what I started on in school, Bflat. That is a rare clip.

[Rick Ballard]

Clarice,

Perhaps something simple yet culturally sensitive?

[Melinda Romanoff]

PUK-

Dem's pretty big brooms yer usin' dere, sweepin' all uvdus tegedder likes dat.

[Melinda Romanoff]

Sue-

I'm sorry. I forgot the dead, a vital polling faction here.

My mistake.

So, yes, you are right, half the "living" population is republican.

[JM Hanes]

clarice:

"Maybe we ought to bring a Brazilian troupe to play those songs in the park across from the WH for a couple of weeks."

Your location scout suggests:

[Uncle BigBad]

I didn't explicitly know that, Soylent, but I would have been able to narrow it down to "somewhere in South America."

[Pofarmer]

Why is it that all presidential couples feel the need to hold hands constantly? How many married couples do you know who are constantly firmly grasped together?

My wife and I hold hands. Is there a problem with that?

[Fresh Air]

Rick--

I just learned the other day that Caesar's murderers put daggers on the Roman coinage during their reigns. Kind of a nice reminder not to mess with Texas. So if Rolo stabbed him, would she go to prison or be installed as Queen?

[Jim Ryan]

Great link, Willem.

[clarice]

Neat idea,jmh! I wonder if that scene will ever be repeated after Milbank's review of the original though.
Rick, I think that gown is too subtle..We probably will see flashing lights or something , having done gold with humongous sparkly flowers at the bodice in Copenhagen.

[clarice]

Gee, Po, next you'll be telling us you talk to eachother at breakfast--even before coffee. *UGH*

[Pofarmer]

Glad to see you embracing your inner pessimist Rick.

[Thomas Collins]

Melinda Romanoff, Chicago doesn't need the Olympics. It still has one of the most (if not the most) dominating teams in NFL history, the '85 Bears. See LUN for a trip down memory lane for Bears fans (a pleasant trip) and Patriots fans (a not so pleasant trip).

[Jim Ryan]

Jobim's Chega de Saudade. Clicky clicky.