And I could care less what marks she got or what B. Walters said about fashion reflecting an administration. WTF?

And in Amanda Hall's defense, there have been tons of gushing articles on Michelle's fashion sense ever since Obama took the lead during campaign season, so it's not as though she suddenly decided to bring this up out of the blue to write something b*tchy .

Plus, she's right about the sports analogy. I recall early in the Bush adminstration seeing Condi Rice several times greeting female heads of state and I'd have sworn they were complimenting each other's outfits. It seemed a bit odd at first, but I'm sure that the male equivalent of small talk goes on during those meet and greets all the time as well.

I don't personally mind the football/fashion comparison. Fashion is something that a small group of women are fully fanatic about, some really couldn't care less, but most women have at least a passing interest in the subject, enough to have an opinion.

As to comparing the praise/criticism of the first lady's dress to slave buttocks, I'd say that's pretty insulting, all around.

It may just be socialization…but most straight women I know are lightning swift in their visual analyses of clothing and styles…most straight men I know are pretty thick.
(Gay men and lesbians of my acquaintance fit into both camps…so who knows from gender?)

I find that having female accompaniment when shopping for clothes saves immense time and anxiety.
“Yes” or “No” are declared definitively and reassuringly.

In re: your comment about “what progress we've made as a nation” perhaps Barbara Walters's comment – in Jazz's link – is enlightening:

“Barbara Walters, who said on The View, the other day, “I think you can tell what the Administration is going to be like by what the First Lady wears.”

I thought this was utterly absurd when I read it, but I have since been put in my place: Mamie Eisenhower's hideously conservative confections…Jackie Kennedy's style…Nancy Reagan's “Dynasty” gowns…

Could it be true?

Unlike Jazz….I hope to live past the Superbowl…so will say nada more.

I hear they used to be into “giving marks” for black slaves based on how big the muscles of their buttocks were…for work potential…

Oh my yes, what progress we've made as a nation..

We can safely anticipate there won't be any posts from Jazz past the Superbowl.
Will it be arsenic-laced chicken wings, or perhaps pizza? No, it will probably be in the beer…

The first comment I heard about the whole extravaganza was when the First Ladies stepped out of the limousine.
“Well, that's unfortunate.”

Laura Bush got better marks. I was surprised about that.
I was informed what is apparently common knowledge about Tipper Gore aiding Hilary Clinton in dumping her wardrobe errors before entering the White House.
Presumably someone will have a talk with Michelle Obama.

I was very impressed with the ceremony yesterday (with the notable exception of the bloviating Warren)…and particularly with how Obama dealt with the Chief Justice's flub.
There was no sense that Obama was visibly annoyed with having his moment marred. One could see Obama's moment of realization that Roberts had the line wrong, and then he smiled and went along.
Class.

In contrast, the hecklers were classless.
Not unexpected, though.

Bush's inauguration in 2005 was marked, for me, by the British Guardian newspaper asking: “Where is John Wilkes Booth or Harvey Oswald when you need them?”
As he was welcomed by his opponent's, after winning a democratic election, with such grace and class . . . I suppose Bush should feel lucky his opponents only heckled his departure.

by Damozel | It was a joyous occasion for me. After reading at FDL Gregg Levine’s bitter portrayal of his experiences at the real site (which, rather solipsitically, he seems to read as a reflection on the incoming administration), I’m glad I watched…