Finally — A Human Touch in the White House

It’s so refreshing to see the President and Mrs. Obama in public. I almost hadn’t realized how embarrassing and painful the Bush II’s really were — I guess I had become desensitized to their phony ways. From expensive clothes that never fit right to boorish behavior in public, they were like the relatives you try to pretend you aren’t related to. (Actually, I don’t have any relatives like that, but that’s what I hear.)

Seeing the images of the Obamas, I was struck by the way they carry themselves, which of course affects the way they wear their clothes. There is a confidence and purpose in their posture.

Now, I’m no clothes-horse, by any means, but appreciate people who can wear elegant clothes — elegantly. I was constantly struck by how sharp they both looked all day and all night of the Inauguration coverage. But I was worried about Michelle and that off-the-shoulder gown. I mean, it was really cold in DC that night. Which leaves me even more charmed by this photo from USA TODAY, of the Obamas in a freight elevator on their way to yet another in the endless stream of Inaugural Balls:

Your Congress on YouTube

I know what you’re saying: “Sue J.!  You’ve been silent for days and days, and this is the best you can come up with?!”

Well, yeah. I don’t know what variation of “the common cold” I’ve been battling for the past week or so, but it really kicked me to the curb. My entire weekend was spent on the couch, dozing and occaisionally waking up to blow my nose and catch a few moments of Top Chef before going under again. So I am vaguely aware of an awful lot going on in the political world, but not clearheaded enough to have a go at any of it.

Fortunately, our members of Congress have provided some easy material for me with their new YouTube Channels.  That’s right — now you can watch the amazing card-reading antics of Nancy Pelosi and John Boehner, all from the comfort of your own computer.

And as is typical of folks who are one step behind every trend, Congress seems to have been unaware of the 13-year old adolescent nastiness that always seems to go along with YouTube commenters. Not that they don’t deserve to be ridiculed, but that’s a pretty harsh audience over at YouTube. So one some of the videos you can leave a comment, and it’s not pretty. Fortunately, on the individual members’ YouTube Channels the comments have been closed. At least some staffer knew what they were doing.

I will say that Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont comes across as an intelligent and dedicated man — and as someone who doesn’t need cue cards. You can see all of the members of the House here, and the Senate here. Just be nice if you leave a comment there. Remember your manners.