Michelle Obama takes a radical stand, declaring that “the truth matters”

For those of you who, like me, didn’t catch it last night, when it was happening live, here’s Michelle Obama’s speech from the Democratic National Convention. I don’t know that I’d share it otherwise, but I really liked what she had to say about the truth mattering, which I took as a direct response to the blatant lies that were put forward by Paul Ryan and others last week, during the Republican National Convention… I don’t know that Twitter traffic is any indication of how much something resonates with the American people as a whole, but, if it is, she did a pretty good job, as evidenced by the fact that twice as many people referenced her speech last night on the social media platform than did the speech of her husband’s opponent last week.

A complete transcript of the speech can be found at Salon, but here’s my favorite part.

…Like so many American families, our families weren’t asking for much.

They didn’t begrudge anyone else’s success or care that others had much more than they did… in fact, they admired it.

They simply believed in that fundamental American promise that, even if you don’t start out with much, if you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, then you should be able to build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and grandkids.

That’s how they raised us… that’s what we learned from their example.

We learned about dignity and decency – that how hard you work matters more than how much you make… that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself.

We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules…and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.

We learned about gratitude and humility – that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean…and we were taught to value everyone’s contribution and treat everyone with respect.

Those are the values Barack and I – and so many of you – are trying to pass on to our own children.

That’s who we are…

The Republicans, of course, would have us believe that Barack and Michelle Obama hate the country that they lead, as evidenced by Romney’s “Believe in America” campaign slogan. The message, I think, is clear – Romney believes in this great country of ours, while his opponents do not. My hope is that this speech of Michelle’s goes a long way toward dispelling that myth.

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47 Comments

  1. Burt Reynolds
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 6:52 am | Permalink

    It was a great speech, but Ann Romney once ironed a shirt on a kitchen table, so….there is that to deal with.

  2. Edward
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 8:39 am | Permalink

    I love it when Mark baits the trolls.

  3. Knox
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 8:53 am | Permalink

    The Republican vitriol directed toward her blows my mind. I really don’t know how to explain it other than to say that it’s motivated by race. I’ve actually heard people SCREAM on Republican radio about her efforts to curb childhood obesity. Really? That’s what angers you? You’re angry that the first lady wants your kids to live longer and be healthier?

  4. Knox
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 8:56 am | Permalink

    Here’s an illustration from PoliticusUSA (http://www.politicususa.com/limbaugh-michelle-obama-ribs.html):

    (Rush) Limbaugh said, “I’m sure you’re aware that nutritionist-at-large Michelle Obama is urging, demanding, advocating, requiring what everybody can and can’t eat. She is demanding that everybody basically eat cardboard and tofu. No calories, no fat, no nothing — gotta stop obesity. Except as in the case of all leftists, that’s true for you, but not for them.”

    He continued, and exposed that, gasp, Michelle Obama ate some ribs last weekend, “Michelle My Belle, minus the husband, took the kids out to Vail on a ski vacation, and they were spotted eating and they were feasting on ribs, ribs that were 1,575 calories per serving with 141 grams of fat per serving. Now I’m sure some of you members of the new castrati: “This is typical of what you do Mr. Limbaugh, you take an isolated, once in a lifetime experience, and try to say that she’s a hypocrite.” She is a hypocrite. Leaders are supposed to be leaders. If we’re supposed to go out and eat nothing — if we’re supposed to eat roots, and berries and tree bark and so show us how. And if it’s supposed to make us fit, if it’s supposed to make us healthier, show us how.”

    Limbaugh followed this by calling Michelle Obama a hypocrite, “The problem is — and dare I say this — it doesn’t look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice. And then we hear that she’s out eating ribs at 1,500 calories a serving with 141 grams of fat per serving, yeah it does — what do you mean, what do I mean?”

  5. KKT
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 9:23 am | Permalink

    My favorite Limbaugh quote about Michelle Obama:

    LIMBAUGH: Now I’m like you, I’m thinking that Michelle Obama needs a little dictionary lesson. Let’s not forget this is the woman who is not proud of her country unless she’s getting what she wants from it. She said during the campaign the first time she had been proud of her country was when Obama was nominated or done something. So she sacrificed herself to get in a big, luxurious jet, a Boeing 757, to fly to Copenhagen where she is pampered and treated like she were a goddess. Yes, this is a sacrifice. [Premiere Radio Networks, The Rush Limbaugh Show, 10/1/09]

    This was taken from a list of 40 smears against the First Lady, compiled by Media Matters.
    http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/09/04/michelle-obama-derangement-syndrome-four-years/189737

  6. mark k
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 9:32 am | Permalink

    Knox have you seen the size of her ass, maybe she should get herself in order before taking on the Country, you know “set a good example”. I do support her efforts, we as a country do have more then our fair share of obese. I just wish she would do something about her own BMI first. It’ll be interesting to see what you can read into my comment that I didn’t say or type. I’d have to say that is the most fun of this blog tho, I could say I like turtles and the responses here would range from “Racist, to fear monger. Sometimes I don’t even read Mark’s blog, because the comments are far more amusing. Have a nice day.

  7. Meta
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 10:13 am | Permalink

    From a reader of Glenn Beck’s site:

    eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on September 5, 2012 at 9:31am

    I did watch most of her speech.
    She, like her husband WILL DO THURSDAY, made a big SWITCH-A-ROO from
    “NOT being Proud of her Country”, to last nights American Flag Waving, Apple Pie,
    Land that I love, Michelle Obama, huh?

    WOOOEEEE! What an ACT she gave!
    And it was just as FAKE & PHONEY AS BARACK’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

    And, OH how she & Barack LOVE EVERYONE and are LQQKING OUT FOR THEM.
    I wonder if that includes HER BROTHER-IN-LAW…remember? The one living in a HUT,
    living on Pennies a MONTH?

    These Godless, fakes are DISGUSTING to REAL AMERICANS & HUMANITY, as a whole.
    And, WAIT til the master of deception puts on HIS ACT Thursday.

    Read more:
    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/krauthammer-on-michelle-obamas-dnc-speech-i-didnt-buy-a-line-of-it/

  8. maryd
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 10:25 am | Permalink

    Mark K, your comment is so ignorant and disgusting, I wish for you to be knocked down on your ass by some bigass woman. Michelle is just fine ass and all. People who judge women on the sizes of their asses in politics should have a special place in hell. What about judging women on their brains asshole?

  9. Posted September 5, 2012 at 10:27 am | Permalink

    Mark k, sorry, man, that was a pretty moronic comment.

  10. Lorie
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 10:40 am | Permalink

    I know we’re supposed to be flip or sarcastic or clever but my take is this: I thought she NAILED it.

    I thought the distinctions drawn – the realness of humanity and truth/factual accuracy are important maybe even most important for me.

  11. Tom
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 10:44 am | Permalink

    Mark K are you really arguing that Michelle Obama is not in good physical health replete with a healthy cardiovascular capacity and appropriate body fat content? Dollars-to-doughnuts she’s beat you in a footrace.

  12. Bob
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 11:29 am | Permalink

    Deval Patrick gave the speech of the night by a mile. They didn’t even put him in prime time. He rivals even Obama on stage and is probably a future star of the party. Everyone is fawning over that Castro guy who was way too slick for me. He strikes me as a door to door Bible salesman.

    Michelle’s ass is great too. On this there is no debate.

  13. mark k
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 11:52 am | Permalink

    “Mark K, your comment is so ignorant and disgusting, I wish for you to be knocked down on your ass by some bigass woman. Michelle is just fine ass and all. People who judge women on the sizes of their asses in politics should have a special place in hell. What about judging women on their brains asshole?”
    maryd I feel she should set an example, if she can’t get her own BMI to a healthy level she shouldn’t have room to talk. I’m sure she is a smart woman, never said she wasn’t. Mary Just responding to her comments on obesity, I happen to agree her stand on health issues, I just feel she should include herself in that.
    “Mark K are you really arguing that Michelle Obama is not in good physical health replete with a healthy cardiovascular capacity and appropriate body fat content? Dollars-to-doughnuts she’s beat you in a footrace.”
    Tom no arguement here about her health, it’s science, her BMI puts her at risk for all kinds of health issues. Just saying maybe she should lead by example. have a nice day. Tom at 50 I’d love to foot race her.

  14. Dan
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:11 pm | Permalink

    “even if you don’t start out with much, if you work hard and do what you’re supposed to do, then you should be able to build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids and grandkids.”

    This has always been the motto I live by. Make the your children’s existence better than your own. It’s essentially what I think our purpose here is. Same as any other species on earth, make life easier for your descendants.

    Thought she made a great speech.

  15. mark k
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:19 pm | Permalink

    Anybody read the fact check at breitbat.com. it’s a good read.
    http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/05/Fact-Check-Michelle-Obama-s-False-Fairy-Tale-of-Struggle

  16. Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:19 pm | Permalink

    I couldn’t find any information on Michelle Obama’s BMI.

    How did Mark K get this information?

  17. Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:29 pm | Permalink

    Here it says she is 5’10 and weighs 157 pounds which would make her BMI 22.5, well within the “normal” range. She would have to weigh 175 pounds to even enter the “overweight” category, and would need to be 210 to be “obese”.

    She loos to be in pretty good shape for 48.

  18. Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:32 pm | Permalink

    She would also be well under the mean BMI for women of her age, which is 26.5.

  19. Bob
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 12:46 pm | Permalink

    Andrew Breitbart 0, Karma 1

  20. Meta
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 1:31 pm | Permalink

    Speaking of our America hating President.

    CNN’s Soledad O’Brien on Tuesday questioned Tea Party Express spokeswoman Amy Kremer over why she accused President Barack Obama of not loving the United States.

    “Do you think that President Obama doesn’t love this country? What does that mean?” O’Brien asked.

    “I think that he is more about being a global,” she responded. “Being more one world, global, with you know other countries and it’s not about the shining city on the hill, the greatness that has always been America that our founding fathers were about. I do believe that. I absolutely believe it. I’m not going to run from that.”

    Kremer said Obama had failed to turn the country around and that his energy policies would hurt job growth.

    “I just never understand what any of that has to do with loving the nation,” O’Brien said. “I mean, I honestly, I always feel like that’s a code word for something else.”

    Kremer explained the Obama doesn’t love “America the way that we do” because he was waiting on other countries to tell him what to do.

    “I guess my question is, when I hear somebody say that someone doesn’t love the country, and you know I’m very susceptible to the dog whistle thing,” O’Brien said. “That dog whistle that there is a message in that. When someone says that somebody doesn’t love the country and you’re talking about the President I just find that to be a very odd comment.”

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/09/04/cnns-soledad-obrien-confronts-tea-party-express-spokeswoman/

  21. mark k
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 1:48 pm | Permalink

    “We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules…and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.” – Michelle Obama

    Fact: When Barack Obama was elected to the U.S. Senate, he obtained a $1 million earmark for the University of Chicago Hospital–and his wife’s salary as Vice President for Community Affairs jumped from $121,910 to $316,962. Her job: pushing poor, uninsured patients to other hospitals.

  22. anonymous
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 1:55 pm | Permalink

    Michelle Obama doesn’t want to see 400 pound children. Therefore, she hates America. The logic is flawless.

  23. Dan
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 1:59 pm | Permalink

    disingenuous, mark k.

    http://www.factcheck.org/2009/05/michelle-obamas-salary/

  24. Posted September 5, 2012 at 2:05 pm | Permalink

    Is Mark K EOS?

  25. anonymous
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 2:37 pm | Permalink

    I’m not saying that it’s right, but it’s certainly not unusual for a VP of a large hospital to make several hundred thousand dollars a year. It’s certainly the case at U-M.

  26. Oliva
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 3:13 pm | Permalink

    EOS liked to prod and poke and present the FOX News talking points, but there wasn’t the meanness (was there, Peter?). Would be sad if he’s grown angrier while staying away from Mark’s blog–or while posting under a different name.

  27. kjc
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 3:45 pm | Permalink

    give EOS a break. he’s an ideologue and only selectively an idiot. mark k doesn’t even get to choose.

  28. mark k
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 4:22 pm | Permalink

    Dan, disingenuous how? Fact check confirms her raise

    “She went from earning $121,910 in 2004 as an executive director at the hospital to making $316,962 in 2005 as a vice president, according to tax returns filed by the Obamas for those years.”

    “In fact, Mrs. Obama’s income in 2006, a year after her promotion, had decreased to $273,618. And for 2007 (the year she actually started working part-time), her income was $103,633, according to the couple’s tax return for that year.”

    “For one, the column suggests that Barack Obama’s election to the U.S. Senate in 2004 had a role in his wife’s promotion and pay increase in 2005. We can’t say what the hospital’s motivation was for promoting her.But Michael Riordan, who served as the medical center’s president at the time, told the Chicago Tribune that it had nothing to do with her husband. ” Sure Sure

    They can’t say what the hospitals movation was? Really?

  29. EOS
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 5:53 pm | Permalink

    That’s really sweet. Peter misses me.

    Truth is, this country will not be better off with either Obama or Romney and our children will never have as high a standard of living as we do. My generation was the first to do worse than their parents and, with the ever increasing national debt, our downward spiral is accelerating.

    Cheers!

  30. Posted September 5, 2012 at 7:07 pm | Permalink

    I can only speak for myself, but I’m doing way better than anyone in my family ever has. I’m thankful for that.

    I was just lamenting how EOS would make some batshit statement, do a lame google search, post some some links to right winger websites and then proceed to get methodically ripped apart.

    But you are right, EOS, though intellectually defunct, is certainly not mean.

    Mark K is what you get when EOS has sex with Tater Salad.

  31. thatguy
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 7:18 pm | Permalink

    Man, the Obama’s are so cool! They are just like us!

  32. Posted September 5, 2012 at 7:51 pm | Permalink

    MarkK, that was really stupid. I won’t get into how BMI has been scientifically shit on, rolled up into a rug and dumped but I will get into what a crappy thing that was to say about Michelle. I have to ask if you made fun of Bill Clinton when he put on weight? Or do just fat women bother you?

  33. Posted September 5, 2012 at 7:55 pm | Permalink

    Oh, okay, MarkK I read some more of your comments but I’m still not liking the statement about the size of her ass. You do realize how it sounds, right?

    And what the hell is “fat” anyway? I’m a size 12 (dress size, pants are often size 14 b/c I have an ass like our girl Michelle!) and have been called fat more than once. (more than 12 times, at least). You’ll get to see my fat/not fat ass on Saturday, btw! I can’t believe it’s just a few days away!!! :)

  34. Posted September 5, 2012 at 7:58 pm | Permalink

    EOS, I agree in that we are kind of screwed right now. You could say I’m doing worse than my parents–when they were my age, the house was almost paid off, my mom didn’t work, my dad had a great job with a solid pension (so no need to save for retirement, even though he did), and they had me! I just bought a house, I work (so does Boyfriend Ken), we both have to save like mad for retirement, he has huge student debt, and we don’t have kids (you should all be happy that I’m not breeding, btw :)). While our numbers are higher than Dad, we don’t have the same disposable income situation.
    The difference is that I think we can turn ourselves around. I haven’t given up yet!!! :)

  35. Dan
    Posted September 5, 2012 at 9:11 pm | Permalink

    why are you all so obsessed with EOS and Mark K (and me) and people you envision as trolls.

    I understand the mark k attacks in this thread (he’s been active here), but EOS hasnt shown up in months. Why are you obsessed with him? The whole “comment community” seems obsessed with who mark deems as trolls.”

    it’s like piranhas being chummed.

  36. Mark K
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 5:14 am | Permalink

    ” I have to ask if you made fun of Bill Clinton when he put on weight? Or do just fat women bother you?”
    If he had come out telling the rest of the country we are fat and need to lose weight, yes I would have busted his balls too. Patti I have no problem with people who are over weight, only the ones who point fingers at others first. She reminds me of a smoker trying to quit, but also tells the rest of the world they now need to quit because they are trying too. It’s funny how we all can see the faults of other, but can’t see our own faults.

  37. EOS
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 7:37 am | Permalink

    Dan,

    They hate us because we understand the issues and argue using facts rather than emotions. They hate us when we don’t fit their paradigm of ill-educated hillbillies. They hate us because they know in their hearts that we are right and so they call us names and consider that as being methodically ripped apart. They hate us because they don’t want to consider alternative perspectives. They hate us because we force them to put their fingers in their ears and sing “la-la-la-la…”

    I hate the fact that the level of discourse has degenerated to a point where many of the more intelligent commenters seldom participate anymore. I hate it when a great post about the Democratic convention becomes a discussion about the size of Michelle Obama’s ass.

  38. Posted September 6, 2012 at 9:28 am | Permalink

    Mark K,

    I have already demonstrated that Michelle Obama is not overweight, at least not by metric that you yourself used.

    I used facts, rather than emotions. I have not called you a name.

    You don’t have to know in your heart whether I am right or wrong, because the facts are there.

  39. Eel
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 9:31 am | Permalink

    The Obama’s control the BMI, the same way they control hurricanes. They control science. It’s all part of their godless conspiracy.

  40. mark k
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 11:46 am | Permalink

    “I have already demonstrated that Michelle Obama is not overweight, at least not by metric that you yourself used.”
    Pete where’d you get your info from?

    As someone who used to be a personal trainer, I’ve weighed plenty of woman, and don’t think you’re even close on her weight.

    “I used facts, rather than emotions. I have not called you a name.”

    Really Pete? Does someone else post under your name? Are these not your words?

    “Mark K is what you get when EOS has sex with Tater Salad.”

  41. Posted September 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm | Permalink

    I have already demonstrated that she would need to be at least 175 pounds before entering the “overweight” category.

    How much do you think she weighs, in your professional opinion? Given your estimate, we can easily calculate her BMI for you.

    Does being a combination of EOS and Tater Salad offend you? Strange, I would assume you would take that as a complement.

  42. Oliva
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 3:32 pm | Permalink

    Supremely fit and able–and bright, kind, and glorious . . . our First Lady. Remember this?

    The First Lady visited Bell Multicultural High School on Wednesday [June 2010] to help relaunch the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. The council, which has been around for decades, now has an added emphasis on eating healthy. That fits in nicely with the First Lady’s own program to fight childhood obesity called Let’s Move! . . .

    Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes and fitness expert Donna Richardson-Joyner led the jump-rope station where they practiced jumping 100 times while hopping on one leg. When the First Lady joined them, she surprised everyone by effortlessly jumping 100 times while crossing her hands back and forth in front of her with each jump!

    –http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/presidents-council-fitness-sports-nutrition (emphasis added)

  43. John Galt
    Posted September 6, 2012 at 4:02 pm | Permalink

    It’s a lie. There are no jump ropes that can traverse that ass!

  44. Posted September 6, 2012 at 8:13 pm | Permalink

    Mark K, okay, fair enough. Thanks for explaining. There is a great South Park episode about the whole “fat” thing–it has a HUGE Rob Reiner (I’m not sure how big he is in person but he was ass-huge in the show) telling others to quit smoking while he was scarfing down a goat or whatever.

    We should jump rope at Mark’s party, btw…”Cinderella dressed in yella went upstairs to kiss her fella….!”

  45. Thom Elliott
    Posted September 7, 2012 at 6:17 am | Permalink

    Wow, the return of EOS, mm.com’s hobgoblin. “They hate us because they don’t want to consider alternative perspectives” from a philosopher to a religious fanatic; this is utterly hilarious coming from the fringe of the right wing, which is a totalizing religious worldview which admits no dissent, except that you may not be far enough to the right. What alternative perspectives do you consider EOS? Nietzsche? Aristotle? As far as I know you have absolutist metaphysics, you know the structure of the entire universe, you are a member of the only people who know the truth about everything that exists, and have the exact set of rigid moral commands that is tthe only real morality. What alternative perspectives would you suggest we follow? Calvinism? Lutheranism? Unitarianism? Methodism? Episcapalianism? Which alternative perspective of xtian belief should we use?

  46. Meta
    Posted September 7, 2012 at 10:37 am | Permalink

    John Kerry’s speech was also incredible.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8WtLqKJcTk

  47. Mark K
    Posted September 7, 2012 at 11:53 am | Permalink

    “from a philosopher to a religious fanatic” You’re pretty loose with the titles there Thom. I don’t know EOS, but nothing he’s said so far would label him as a “religious fanatic”. Just as nothing you have said would lead me to believe you a philosopher.

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