the right to bare arms

The country is involved in two wars, the economy is in shambles, people are out of jobs, have lost their health care, are out on the street . . . and plenty more. And what's the latest socio/political flap that's sucking up printer's ink? Michelle Obama's arms. Yes! I am not kidding. Critics (mainly from the right and wingnut factions and mainly male) are all over the story of her sleeveless dresses, showing off beautiful arms. Maureen Dowd has a nice, salty comment on this subject in this morning's Times. Even David Brooks, my favorite sane conservative Republican has been sucked into practicing sociology without a license. He has some choice comments about Ms. Obama and her flaunting of a nice figure. What he says is more damming to the right's ideas about women than it is about Michelle.

I find this dust-up particularly pointed because today is International Women's Day on which we celebrate the struggles and successes of the generations of women who have spent their lives protesting, marching, legislating and teaching for economic, social and political equality for women. Much has been done, including Obama's signature of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act last week. But as the Dowd op-ed piece shows, there's still a long way to go.

There are many things that people can find to criticize about this fledgling administration. After all, he's been president now for 9 weeks and we're still in a mess. I, for one, intend to keep faith with him for as long as it takes and as bad as it gets. But Michelle's arms are not, I believe, a subject that falls into the category of "our national interest." This woman is a product of those 98 years of struggle and the boys can't stand it!