How wonderful and refreshing is it to see that the new President is completely in love with his wife?

 

(photo from ChicagoTribune.com)

I can't get enough of that song, that dance, those loving looks...oh, swoon. Oh, for a man...

And I liked the ball dress. Nice colour, very simple in contrast with the delicate details. I especially liked the one shoulder. My favourite from all the coverage, however, was the very 50's dress she wore to greet people going in to visit the White House. Absolutely perfect for her figure, and the pattern was to die for. Like the sleeve length too. I need to get me one of them dresses. mmmhmm.

(photo from the Associated Press site)

More than ever before have we heard about the use of clothing as political weapon. And boy, the new first couple have weapons of mass destruction when it comes to their wardrobes.

Watching CNN today they were talking about how hot Obama looked in both business and bathing suits, and how he looked so at ease in both. There was also a story about how Michelle dresses like 'the rest of us' and they keep replaying the Jay Leno interview where she confessed to buying the J. Crew outfit she was wearing off the net. 

Am I buying into a sexist stereotype by caring and thinking about what the First Lady is wearing? Is it sexist to pay more attention to what the women are wearing than the men?

I figure that fashion is an integral part of pop culture. We are all aware the choices we make everyday reflect on our values, our personalities, and the fact we know people are looking. Michelle knows we are looking, talking, assessing, critiquing, and therefore dresses appropriately. She'll be well aware that some will be hit, and others will be miss. That you can't please everyone. And besides - women dress for women. So i'm going to say it isn't sexist for me (a woman) to look at her and do what comes naturally: judge.

This isn't all about the women, though. Obama has announced a pay freeze on the salaries of all senior White House staff. He has urged all public servants to take care and be aware that the money they spend, the budgets they approve, is the money of the people. Every staple, every post-it note, phone line, text message, and drink from the water cooler, if paid for by anyone earning taxable income in the States. That's some pretty serious responsibility, right there. 

I love that he also announced an Executive Order on Ethics, which brings in new rules on lobbying. Transparency is, too, a crucial word. 

Something completely and utterly transparent is John Key's attempt to look 'Prime Ministerial' amidst the hype and say oh, well, I suggest MPs should take a pay freeze. Not that the  independent Renumeration Authority has to listen to him. Just like the petrol companies didn't drop prices because Gerry Brownlee said out loud that he thought they should. They dropped them because, just like every other day of the year, the companies looked at all the different factors that affect pricing and made a decision. 

Tell you what, those 100 days of action in New Zealand have amounted to...um...? They're still on holiday, aren't they? Do those 100 days count all the days Mr Key had off in Hawaii for Christmas, or do they stop and start counting as they please? I am a little worried that maybe he isn't eating well. Surely a man of his age shouldn't break his arm that badly falling down the stairs? Maybe he needs to drink more milk. Can't have a brittle-boned Prime Minister.

(Photo from stuff.co.nz)

Holy crap, where has the day gone? Need to get started on that hunt for a man like Obama. you know, the loving looks and all that.

Polly xx