Don't be surprised if folks accustomed to getting their "facts" from forwarded emails start complaining to you that First Lady Michelle Obama has hired an "unprecedented" number of well-paid staffers "to cater to her every whim and to satisfy her every request."
They may also belabor the point that the ones footing the bill for all these "assorted lackeys," as the email calls them, is us: Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Public.
What they probably won't tell you — because it's not in the email, don't you know — is that in 2008 First Lady Laura Bush had a comparably large staff collecting comparably large salaries.
I'm not saying that makes it right, mind you, but let's be fair.
Comments
How about giving a total number of staffers for the First Lady from the last 40 years? My guess is each new First Lady adds two or three from the previous.
In an open government, I’d like to see what these 22 people do while they’re on the job. I honestly don’t see a need for more than five of these positions: Personal Assistant, Press Secretary, Director of Scheduling, Speech Writer and a Staff Assistant for the group.
David, your politics are showing. I don’t see how you can dub this story “Partly True” when the facts about the number of attendants Mrs. Obama has cannot be denied. (In fact, she has four more than were listed in the story you quoted.) The “partly true” comes in your interpretation of the reason the email is circulating. It may be that those who can’t support what is going on in Washington these days are the ones sending it. You may not like the tone of the email, but you can’t really deny it is COMPLETELY TRUE, can you? Please stay out of politics. You do urban legends well, and shouldn’t stray from what you do best!
Allan writes:
“David, your politics are showing.”
Allan, there are two related phenomena I’ve noticed.
One, any time I make note of the political bias within a given text, some people will accuse me of bias. This has been true whether I was pointing out a left-leaning bias or a right-leaning one. It’s a fact of life; I accept it.
Two, often people who buy into a particular bias can’t see it when it’s right in front of them. So, for example, it’s actually possible for such a person to read this text labeling Michelle Obama’s staff “lackeys” who “cater to her every whim and … satisfy her every request in the midst of the Great Recession,” and calling their number “unprecedented” when it really isn’t, and come away thinking it’s a completely objective, unbiased “report.” Strange but true!
What part of the claim “Laura Bush only had one assistant” do you find not to be false, by the way?
Unjustifiable and a bad argument. Two wrongs cannot make a right. It is a pity that you will publish something like this. Poor judgment.
Marie writes:
“Unjustifiable and a bad argument. Two wrongs cannot make a right. It is a pity that you will publish something like this. Poor judgment.”
So, Marie, you’re suggesting that people should only know half the truth at any given time?
I enjoyed this story — I think the criticism is not deserved.
Dave, glad to see you respond back to those who would rather believe a lie than admit they made an error. Your column is one I turn to often in regards to politically based emails as I know you will report the facts on it, regardless of which side it promotes. If we had more unbiased, non-partisan reporting like this done, I think our country would be in much better shape. Thank you.
Looks like the righteous right has discovered you. Hope you continue to do what you do well.
Thanks for your response, David. You’re correct that Laura Bush had a number of people on her staff as well — 22 vs. the current FLOTUS’s 26. (The number serving Michelle is four more than stated in the original article because two others on her staff don’t have “First Lady” in their title so weren’t included, yet they serve only her, plus two others who travel with her, so 26. See: http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13827)
However, Laura Bush’s total payroll was $1.08 million per year, while Michelle’s is $1.75 million. $700,000 more is a lot more than cost-of-living increases! And I am not a “righteous right-winger” defending the previous administration either. I think it’s wrong for both to be spending so much taxpayer money on an unelected person. We should pay for the President’s staff expenses, but so much going for his wife who was not elected by the people to do anything, just seems wrong.
I agree that the tone of the forwarded email you were analyzing is biased and snide, but except for the “Laura one” comment, which I overlooked, and you were right to address, the content of the email is true. The current bloated staff for Michelle *is* unprecedented. And that original email even understates the number of people and the cost to employ them by us, the taxpayers.
Yeah, why don’t we be fair. Liberals never stop going back to Bush. So, does Michelle doing what Barbara did it make it right? How about let’s take a stand, and stop these stinky elitist politicians, and their families, from fleecing us taxpayers. So, Mr. Emery, let’s be fair. Because someone in your past screwed your wife, does that justify someone else doing so? Why don’t we put a stop to this? Why don’t you help us?
I’m sorry but I can’t imagine how ANYONE can defend the previous administration.
Are we taxpayers all mad?? If you pay no taxes-please do not comment or give an opinion-you have not paid the price of admission.
I agree with 5 repeat FIVE thats $500,000 max! The poor people working to survive cannot pay for all this insane givament.
Salary’s for congress/senate should be $75,000 MAX then maybe they would get out after 1-2 terms and allow new ideas .
Goverment should defgend the US and do darn little else!
signed an ex fighter jock who landed mach 1,7 aircraft on carriers 1/3 smaller and 80% cheaper than today’s. For less than $30K per year.
So then… it’s not an “urban legend”.
According to FactCheck.org the current FLOTUS has 26 personal assistants, 2 w/out FL as part of their titles. While only slightly larger than the number or $$ amount spent for the previous FLOTUS’ staff, the major difference is that this FLOTUS claims to be grounded and one of the people, while using the position for apparent self-aggrandizement. If her message was genuine, the number of personal staffers, wardrobe, etc would be a good place to start.
There is a marvelous piece about cyber-whoppers called, “The Politics of Email: You Send it, You Own it” at http://www.examiner.com/x-36917-LA-County-Liberal-Examiner~y2010m2d12-Solar-Baby-Solar-The-DWP-gets-serious-about-renewable-energy
“You Send it-You Own it” is actually at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-36917-LA-County-Liberal-Examiner~y2010m2d8-The-Politics-of-Email-You-send-it-you-own-it