Tags
apology, class, democrat, elizabeth lauten, first family, gop, huffpost, Obama, president, republican, self-esteem, stephen fincher, turkey pardon, tweet, twitter
Malia and Sasha Obama are already under enough scrutiny, expectation to be perfect, and disdainful, scrutinizing eye as part of the First Family and daughters of the commonly-disliked President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. As if simply being a teenager in an average life wasn’t enough, I can’t possibly image being a teenager in such a position, where everyone’s critical eye is constantly searching for what you’ve done wrong.
That’s exactly what GOP Staffer, Elizabeth Lauten — communications director to Republican (Tenn.) Stephen Fincher — did. Lauten judged these innocent girls for nothing, because she has a bad taste in her mouth about their father and a need to make judgments whenever able. Her takeback apology was insincere and empty; I can almost see her rolling her eyes as she made her public statement.
Obama’s Turkey Pardon took place on November 26 in the White House. (Can we just take a second to talk about this? Somehow, I’ve missed this annual turkey pardon, and it’s kind of nifty. But, kind of hypocritical at the same time, because I would bet that at least 90% of those in attendance ate turkey the next day. Still–very cool. I’m glad ‘Mac’ and ‘Cheese’ were able to live through another holiday.) His teenage daughters, Malia and Sasha, attended the event, as they are probably forced to attend many presidential goings-on. No, they didn’t get a lax Wednesday night like most teenagers, gorging on video games, chatting on Facebook, or diving into a chick flick from the comfort of their couch. They had to attend another — yes, probably unnecessary, yes, probably boring, and yes, just another — political event.
Lauten’s unnecessary tweet rang out after the event:
Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those awful teen years, but you’re a part of the First Family, try showing a little class. At least respect the part you play. Then again your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department. Nevertheless, stretch yourself. Rise to the occasion. Act like being in the White House matters to you. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar. And certainly don’t make faces during televised public events.
Those awful teen years? Yeah, they’re awful. And Lauten probably hasn’t been there in a while.
Try showing a little class? So, at this point I thought — OH MY GOD, what did they wear? Did they look like sluts parading around the White House? Surely not. Then, my fears were further confirmed by her later comment. “Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.” What on EARTH did they wear? So, like any normal person would, I googled it.
Let me tell you, they were dressed just so inappropriately. /sarcasm
Yeah, they’re in skirts. I don’t see any teenage booties hanging out, and there definitely isn’t any cleavage to be seen. If I saw them at a bar, ya know what I’d think? Hey–they’re underage. Period.
And don’t make faces during televised public events? Please, girls. What were you thinking?! Please control your facial muscles every second of every day because you are always in the public spotlight. Oh, and when you’re father makes a joke… well, please stay straight-laced and even-faced.
I completely understand that your Republican self probably doesn’t like Obama just like millions of other Americans and just like I don’t like your Republican self. But please, before you take it out on teenagers, think twice. Oh, and that hours-long prayer that brought forth repentance. Perhaps if you spend that much time thinking about your words before you speak type them, you wouldn’t perpetuate an uneasy self-esteem that those ‘awful teenage years’ often bring, and you wouldn’t have potentially caused these gorgeous girls minutes wasted in front of the mirror every day for the next year or two.
I’m really not one for blackmail, but before you open your mouth, you should really really really consider your words. I’m not going to throw stones because I have quite the past myself. But really, Liz? Seat at a bar… that was rather appropriate phrasing there.
Obviously, you left your couth back in that bar, Liz, so let me help you. Let’s try this again. Dear Sasha and Malia, I get you’re both in those teen years. You’re part of the First Family. That event must have really sucked for you. I bet it was boring! I’m glad you respect the part you play as a member of the First Family and you attended the event, even though you would probably rather be at home. It means a lot that you would be a ‘good role model’ for other individuals who might not have families in such a public-eye. Nevertheless, you’ve stretched yourself. You rose to the occasion. You acted like being in the White House and being your father’s daughter mattered to you by attending, regardless of how bored you really were. You dressed like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar! Another role model point for you. And those faces you made during the televised portion–they kept the event pretty interesting for those of us watching from our couches.
For more pleasurable attempts at correcting Liz’s said misspeak, check out this open letter too.
Do we #FireElizabethLauten?? Nah… perhaps we should instead take away her twitter privileges. Obviously, she’s not yet mature enough for them. Maybe she could take a lesson from a couple teenagers.
Oh, and Liz? Next time you think before you speak, picking on teenagers who have much more respect for their position, their family, and others’ feelings than you apparently do, perhaps you should take a dose of your own medicine and try showing a little class.
Update: According to Huffpost, Lauten has resigned from her position.