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Michelle Obama's extravagant vacation in Spain hob-nobbing with royalty and celebs, while the rest of the country sweats out the depression and her husband plays basketball, has earned the First Lady a comparison with Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. A comparrison hardly accurate and very much an insult to the French Queen. Author Elena Vidal, of Tea at Trianon comes to the Queen's defense, while graciously sparing the First Lady as well:
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When I first saw the frail comparison of Mrs. Obama to Queen Marie-Antoinette, I thought it too silly to take seriously. However, the silliness seems to have taken over the internet, even sites that I used to respect. Anyone who has ever studied Marie-Antoinette or read even one of the reputable biographies about her will see that there are no similarities between the two women at all, other than being wives of heads of state. Since the comparison is meant to insult the Queen as well as the First Lady, it might be helpful to look at some basic facts.
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Marie-Antoinette is once again being portrayed as the Queen who was indifferent to the suffering of the people. However, Marie-Antoinette never said "Let them eat cake." It is not a mere allegation, it is not a matter of speculation. She said nothing of the kind. It was not even a rumor spread about her in her lifetime, but did not start circulating until the nineteenth century. What the Queen did say was: "It is quite certain that in seeing the people who treat us so well despite their own misfortune, we are more obliged than ever to work hard for their happiness."
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[...] I fail to see the connection between the First Lady's trip to Spain with anything that Marie-Antoinette ever did. [...]
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As for Mrs. Obama having a European holiday while America is struggling financially, it might not be the most prudent of choices. Nevertheless, the pictures I saw of Michelle and Sasha relaxing on the beach and lunching with the King and Queen of Spain do not seem to me to be examples of extreme decadence. There are plenty of serious issues for which one might critique the Obamas but comparing Michelle to Marie-Antoinette is foolish to say the least. - Michelle Obama is Marie-Antoinette?
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Photo credit. King Juan Carlos of Spain, Queen Sofia (in pants monarchists and traddies!) and Shelly and Sasha. (There's a bright side to everything, isn't there.)
Thank you for the link, Terry.
ReplyDeleteShe's no Marie Antoinette, but she ain't no Jackie O either.
ReplyDeleteLarryD: Amen.
ReplyDeleteI think this might be a sin...but here, we call her "Shaq"...she is more manly than her hubby and looks like a first string basketball player;
and she makes us all want to wretch; hypocrisy, galore...
they're all a bunch of misfits who anyone with any modicum of sense would be able to figure it out;
unfortunately, the "plebiscite" is too addicted to sex, drugs, alcohol, money, rockn'roll and their next g------- paycheck to figure out that, "hey, maybe all is not well."
Duh?
In her defense..she is toned and fit...nothing wrong with that, and something more Americans should strive for considering our obesity epidemic...
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of good eats... peaches are coming on here and dessert tonight was a grilled peach..just peel, slice in half, brush with a bit of EVOO (I'm channelling Rachael Ray :), 3 minutes on each side over a medium fire...wonderful carmelized taste!! May want to add a bit of cinnamon if you like..I also like a nice firm peach as it will soften as it grills...
Sara
Sara: You're too good...bless you!
ReplyDeleteThe Obamanation thing just makes me crazy...glad that someone can "balance" my Celtic furor...thanks!
I heard on the news that the Queen of Spain had a little gift for Michelle Obama - seeds for her garden. I wonder if the Department of Agriculture will allow those seeds into the country?
ReplyDeleteparamedigirl: I had a HELL of a time getting "Dutch tulips" past customs in Amsterdam; they HATE Catholics there, anyway, but I digress,...the paperwork you would not believe...and I almost missed my plane; but probably Shelley has "pulls"...good for hah! )As my Brooklyn friends would say:<)!)
ReplyDeleteGood points on Marie Antoinette and Michelle Obama. I read a biography on Marie Antoinette; she got a bad rap which she didn't deserve. As far as where Michelle and daughters went on vacation I really don't care. I hope they had a good time. I'm sure it is hard to have a normal family life when one is married to a public figure whom people either love or hate; our bipolar disorder again.
ReplyDelete