Michelle Obama's First Year: No Redos Required

Samantha Appleton - the White HouseMichelle Obama sat down informally with reporters to discuss her first year as America’s First Lady. Mrs. Obama didn’t know Wednesday afternoon that PETA would agree to take down their anti-fur posters with her photo front and center.

In doing so, PETA may have another objective in mind, as Michelle Obama makes it clear that she hopes to nurture a generation of healthier children.

“I want to leave something behind that says because of the time that this person spent here, this thing has changed,” she said. “I hope that will be in the area of childhood obesity.”

The First Lady made it clear that she will campaign aggressively on children’s obesity topics, even if they require her to get involved with policy issues. Mrs. Obama begins her campaign next week by addressing the nation’s mayors on children’s obesity.

In pulling their Michelle Obama foursome anti-fur campaign, PETA immediately asked for a stop to Ringling Bros. baby elephant named Barack.

My instincts say PETA might go for the brass ring with Mrs. Obama, especially on the topic of fast-food beef consumption. McDonald’s and Burger King , along with other fast food brands, are at the center of kids’ obesity.

New research demonstrates clear linkage between eating beef and losing intelligence. Between the environmental impact of lowering beef consumption and tackling kids’ obesity, Michelle Obama made well confront the fast-food industry, and with PETA’s help.

Wearing her new bob hairdo and Jimmy Choo boots (great for going sans pantyhose says Michelle), the First Lady says she’s pleased with her first year in Washington.

“We’ve gotten a lot done,” she said and listed her work with military families, the planting of the White House Kitchen Garden and the launch of an East Wing mentoring program for young women as key accomplishments. via Washington Post

As always Michelle Obama spoke of First Daughters Sasha and Malia as priorities, while she fended off suggestions that the India state dinner was anything less than a phenomenal success.  As for Harry Reid? No apologies required.

“Harry Reid had no need to apologize to me. Because I know Harry Reid. I measure people more so on what they do, rather than the things that they say,” she said. “Each and every one of us around the table has probably said something in their lifetime that they regret or didn’t accurately reflect what they actually meant at the time or it was taken out of context and so on and so on.”

The First Lady spoke more about slavery and the fact that race problems aren’t solved, but change has occurred in America. On the subject of pending abortion legislation, Michelle said that she wasn’t clear on the details but added “Obviously, I believe that a woman’s right to choose is critical.”

Reviewing numerous reports of the dialogue in the Old Family Dining Room, I know that Michelle said that she wouldn’t grade herself, as her husband had done.  No grading and no redos. She’s pleased with her first year as a woman and also on behalf of her staff.

Michelle admits that she works at 110% and is demanding of herself. Allowing that American women are never satisfied with their performances, she is. Now that’s a role model.

When talking about the president, she referred to him simply as “Barack.” The couple are featured in People Magazine, not yet online but talked up today by Jezebel.com

She confessed she tries to stay grounded by thinking of herself as “Michelle” — not the first lady. “I think I am a better first lady when I’m Michelle,” she said, “than when I’m somebody else that is in a magazine.” via Chicago Tribune

More reading on fast food and fodder for PETA in their ongoing dialogue with Michelle Obama. At Anne of Carversville we share Michelle Obama’s concerns about obesity sapping our vitality, longevity, brain cells, sensuality and overall wellbeing.

Comfort Food, Obesity and Severe Brain Degeneration

In Rats, Fast Food Impacts Brain Like Heroin

Can MacDonald’s Make You Stupid?