NUTZO ALERT: Michelle Bachmann Strikes Again

U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, best known for her call for an investigation of Barack Obama and members of Congress perceived anti-American bias during the 2008 elections, has provided us with another little gem of insight.

On a Minnesota radio station this past weekend, Bachmann referred to the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act as an attempt by the administration to promote a “philosophical agenda.” The Act, which was approved by the Senate on March 26, 2009, aims to expand national community service programs in the areas of education, clean energy, health care and veterans. In her comments, she warned that the bill could lead to … wait for it…. “re-education camps for young people.” Check out the comments in full:

I believe that there is a very strong chance that we will see that young people will be put into mandatory service. And the real concerns is that there are provisions for what I would call re-education camps for young people, where young people have to go and get trained in a philosophy that the government puts forward and then they have to go to work in some of these politically-correct forums.

Heaven forbid, young people are taught how to serve their communities! And just to up the nutzo factor – media outlets have revealed that Rep. Bachmann’s 6th district of Minnesota has experienced the most foreclosures of any of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts. Bachmann has consistently voted against foreclosure relief and has not sponsored any legislation to help struggling homeowners facing foreclosure. Clearly, if anyone needs re-education, it’s this woman.

What’s Your First Lady Style?

Because I was once obsessed with Seventeen magazine quizzes during my high school years, I created my own quiz inspired by fab First Lady fashion.

Yes, I know that these quizzes never reveal any earth-shattering revelations or aha-moments about your inner-psyche but let’s face it; they are just plain fun to do. So enjoy!

1. Your favorite shopping store is…
a. Ann Taylor
b. White House Black Market
c. Thrift Store
d. Vera Wang

2. Your old college roommate invites you to her evening wedding. You wear…
a. A silk cream-colored dress with faux wrap
b. An elegant suit
c. A colorful dress paired with a statement necklace or broach
d. A classic warm-colored dress with pearls

3. Your favorite thing to do in your free time is…
a. Spend QT with family and friends
b. Read a book
c. Go to a museum or a play at the local theatre
d. Free time? What’s that?

4. You overslept and need to rush to make it to work. You…
a. Forget about any primping and high-tail it to the nearest starbucks
b. Quickly dab on some lipgloss and keep it moving
c. Take a few minutes to inspect your do and apply on your mascara and foundation
d. Forget about making it on time! The most important part of your day is deciding what color eye shadow goes best with your outfit.

5. Your favorite colors to wear are…
a. Neutrals
b. Bright colors like purple and turquoise
c. Warm colors like red and burnt orange
d. Anything pastel

17-20 Michelle Obama: Fashion Trendsetter. You are a First-Lady of Fashion who loves trying out new colors and accessories with beautiful basics. When you step into a room, people are immediately enamored with your personable smile and flawless fashion sense.


13-16 Jackie Kennedy: Radiantly Retro. You’re an artsy mama who is a 60’s girl at heart. You are living proof that old school poise and glam never dies out!


9-12 Laura Bush: Classic Beauty. You are a simply elegant chica who loves a classically chic style and has a great appreciation for the simple things in life.


5-8 Hillary Clinton: Pretty in a Pantsuit. You’re a low-maintenance Betty who always looks well put together. You’re admired for your commitment to accomplish your goals and get the job done!


Add it up!: 1) a-1, b-4, c-3, d-2; 2) a-3, b-1, c-4, d-2; 3) a-4, b-2, c-3, d-1; 4) a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3; 5) a-1, b-4, c-2, d-3

The Sunday Funnies

HOT or NOT: The Week-In-Review

HOT: Al Franken's Senate seat race finally reaches the finish line because he's good enough, smart enough, and gosh darn it people love him. After months of legal battles, the state Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday with Franken and rejected Coleman's call to count up to 1,400 absentee ballots that he claimed had been incorrectly rejected. Not lookin good, Coley.

NOT: Michelle Touches Queen Frenzy. The British press could barely keep it together on Thursday after it was revealed that First Lady Michelle Obama had the audacity to give Queen Elizabeth a side hug. Gasp! But, according to Buckingham Palace staff, the Queen was digging the unthinkable gesture and they denied there are rules about touching the Queen.

HOT: Colin Powell on GOP. In yet another sign that Colin Powell is a rational thinker, Powell recently shared that he thinks the Republican counterbudget is just not practical. Powell noted that the Republican provisions to freeze government have "gone too far."

NOT: Al Sharpton didn’t pay taxes 2002-07. Seriously, does no one pay taxes anymore? According to the NYP, Reverend Al Sharpton owed at least $1.8 million in back taxes and penalities. Last summer, he was able to cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Brooklyn to end criminal probe of his finances.

HOT: Mexico Drug War Death Toll Declines. On Thursday, Attorney General Eduardo Medina Mora stated that the death toll connected to Mexico's drug war has dropped by about 25 percent in the first three months of this year from the last quarter of 2008. College spring breakers everywhere are shouting with joy.

And here's Our Fabulous Political Video of the Week:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

An EPIC Night for Women’s Leadership

On Monday night, The White House Project hosted their annual EPIC Awards ceremony at U.N. Headquarters in New York City. The EPIC Awards celebrates the voice and vision of innovators whose lives have shown other women what is possible—as well as those who use media and culture to help women see on-screen what they can’t see very often in the world: women leading at every level.

CNN anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien hosted the night’s festivities. She remarked at the start of the night, “In my work as an anchor and correspondent at CNN, I have witnessed the powerful impact that images—on screen and in real life—can have on the ambitions and aspirations of our young people.” Award presenters included Pay Equity Pioneer Lilly Ledbetter; New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand; and Academy-Award winning actress and White House Project Board Member Geena Davis, all committed to the work of The White House Project to advance women’s leadership.

Awardees included:

--Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye (Ret.), the first woman to serve on New York State’s highest court, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for her visionary commitment to the courts and the people of New York State.

--Lifetime Network’s Every Woman Counts Campaign, received an EPIC Award for their pioneering public service campaign dedicated to encouraging women to speak out on the issues they care about most, vote and run for office.

--Voto Latino received an EPIC Award for the outstanding impact they have had in the last four years on the next generation of Latinas. Actress Rosario Dawson, Co-Founder and María Teresa Petersen, Executive Director accepted the award.

At the close of the evening, Atlanta City Council President and White House Project Board Member Lisa Borders said, "We know that times are tough. But we also know that tough times often offer the best opportunities to invest wisely - and investing in the future of women is among the soundest investments you can make.”

Rant of the Week: Teleprompter Tales

Media commentators and bloggers have been making much ado about nothing lately concerning President Barack Obama’s teleprompter usage. Rush Limbaugh recently remarked, “off prompter, Obama can’t speak.”

A Facebook group called Barack Obama’s Teleprompter has emerged and now has over 1,500 members. The group blurb states, “I have a full-time job in telling President Barack Obama what do say. Since he can't do without me wherever he goes, I work often! However, I still manage to find a little time to get on Facebook."

Hm, I’m not sure if these folks remember the little thing called the presidential debates, in which Barack Obama presented his vision for America sans teleprompter (and won all three rounds, mind you). Is it such a bad thing for a President to appear prepared and polished in his speeches? Or should we simply expect a certain amount of bushisms a la Dubya’s “off-the-cuff” style? Obama spent nearly two years on the campaign trail giving speeches largely without a teleprompter, not to mention his Harvard law education and background as a constitution professor. Do we really have to question whether he can speak without some sort of technological aid? As our nation's top representative, it is imperative that the President be cautious and careful about the words that come out of his mouth.

This latest right-wing criticism screams of desperation. Surely, there are ideological disagreements that Republicans can articulate based on real policy concerns and the actual substance of his speeches. This cheap attack just makes them look like small-minded sore losers.

And the Winner Is...

Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary and long-time friend of the Obamas, has been named Washington's Best-Dressed Woman by the fashion powers that be.

In a Huffington Post poll, the fashionista came in first place with 27.28% of the vote, with VP wife Jill Biden following close behind with 25.55% of the vote. Known for her classicially chic style (fitted black suits, wedged heels, and sheek hairdo), Rogers proves that brains and beauty can go hand-in-hand.













Check out more of Desiree's chic style here.

Good Enough for VP, But Not for 2012?

Mmkay. In an interview with NBC on Sunday, Senator John McCain gave a classic political response when asked whether he would support a Sarah Palin run for La Presidente.

Palin’s 2012 goal has recently been plagued by a communication failure between her gubernatorial staff and DC-based staff and her refusal to accept much-needed mulah for her state provided by the federal stimulus.

Asked on Meet the Press - “Would you like to see Sarah Palin become President?” - McCain responded with:

I can't say something like that. We've got some great other young governors. I think you're going to see the governors assume a greater leadership role in our Republican Party.

Hmm. And continuing with:

Have no doubt of my admiration and respect for her and my view of her viability, but at this stage, again ... my corpse is still warm, you know?

Translation: I’m hoping someone with an ounce of a brain will enter the race so I'm not obligated to put my support behind that hot tranny mess.

Check out the video below:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Life Happens

Sound the trumpet please. Cue the band. I am back, my friends. I know many of you thought I fell into a blogging black hole. But sometimes: life happens. In a nutshell: school, work, more school, church, more school, wedding planning, more school – you get where I’m going with this I’m sure. (You know something’s off when you’ve found yourself wearing jumpsuits for the past three weeks and persisting on a diet of hotpockets and oreo cookies).

But (deep breath) I am striving to find balance in my life (can I get an Amen sistas?) and embrace the things that bring me joy (i.e. blogging, yoga, good amigas) and throw out the things that hold me back from being a content, hopeful, jubilant woman, regardless of what life throws at me.

I know that it sounds very Oprah new-age I-Am-Womanism, but we’ve all gotten caught in the hustle and bustle of life and wake up one day realizing we’ve lost ourselves. We have completely lost track of our mission, our purpose, the life that God crafted for us. So I am reclaiming it starting today. And I may not be able to blog everyday but at least my spirit will be a little bit happier, a little bit more at peace and my life will feel a little bit more in orbit.

So much has changed since my last entry… and yet so much has stayed the same. Barack Obama is still President (phew!) but the economy is still taking a nosedive (and has gotten worse). Things that have changed… Guantanomore, congress’ bye-bye to bonus tax, Fox News' resurgence, this, Cramer v. Stewart, Octomom baby mama drama, gladiator heels are even stranger, celebrity domestic abuse and then makeup and then marriage (?).

Here are a few pictures of what I’ve been up to over the last few months. Over and out…




















January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day: I was "fortunate" enough to be one of the purple ticket holders who waited in line for four hours on the freezing cold day. Le sigh. But totally worth it.


















February 27, 2009, School of Public Affairs 5th Annual City Hall Day at Los Angeles City Hall hosted by Councilmember Wendy Greuel.

























March 26, 2009, Nordstroms' Opening at Cherry Hill Mall, NJ: I went with my mom and her besties to a very hollywood event at.... Cherry Hill Mall. Who knew?! Complete with cocktails, delish aps, shoe shopping, and fashion shows. My type of affair. I know... not very recession-friendly but a girl can dream, can't she?

Out to Lunch (uh...for four months...)

Hello politicas & friends,

Yes indeed, yours truly has been a busy bee and I've had to sadly take off my blogging hat for a few months. But, I'm happy to report, I intend to be fully running again starting early April so stay tuned for polifabulousness in the weeks ahead!

Besos,

Lindsay