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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Open Thread: FLOTUS Goes to China

Open Thread: FLOTUS Goes to China

by Anne Laurie|  March 26, 201410:04 pm| 53 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Readership Capture, Women's Rights Are Human Rights

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flotus goes to china

Our First Lady is, as ever, amazing. From the NYTimes:

CHENGDU, China — Michelle Obama’s weeklong trip to China seemed to start as a spring break holiday with her mother and daughters but has turned out to include far more substance — and politics — than the cheerful advocate of fitness and healthful eating she often displays at home.

At a high school here on Tuesday, Mrs. Obama pointedly told students that the United States championed “the right to say what we think and worship as we choose,” even as she conceded that Americans still lived those ideals imperfectly and that minorities had struggled to overcome a legacy of discrimination.

“Many decades ago, there were actually laws in America that allowed discrimination against black people like me, who are a minority in the United States,” Mrs. Obama said in a speech at the No. 7 School here. “But over time, ordinary citizens decided that those laws were unfair. So they held peaceful protests and marches.”

Slowly but surely, Mrs. Obama said to her rapt young Chinese audience, America changed, and “today, 50 years later, my husband and I are president and first lady of the United States.”…

Although her remarks have been less thunderous than the call for women’s rights delivered by Hillary Rodham Clinton as first lady in Beijing in 1995, Mrs. Obama has been more intimate in bringing her own personal story to China. On Tuesday, for example, she told students about her uphill journey from the South Side of Chicago to Princeton and Harvard Law School, both coveted destinations for the children of China’s elite.

On Saturday at the Stanford Center of Peking University, Mrs. Obama spoke of free expression, particularly on the Internet, as the essential ingredient of a prosperous society, and on Sunday she met with a blind man during a round-table discussion at the American Embassy in Beijing to promote opportunities for those with disabilities.

At every stop, she has pushed the idea that excellent education should be for all, not just the rich — a theme that is familiar in her appearances in the United States but strikes a different chord here…

You should definitely click over and read the whole thing, not least for the videos.
***********
Apart from feeling good about America, what’s on the agenda tonight?

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Reader Interactions

53Comments

  1. 1.

    rikyrah

    March 26, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    it’s been wonderful looking at the pictures of the First Family in China and their warm reception by the Chinese.

  2. 2.

    ruemara

    March 26, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    @rikyrah: And wonderful to note certain carefully timed & selected leaks.

    I’m pleased she’s drawing attention to the issues of disabilities. Many of my homestead kids were amazed at the free, the clean air and how open the opportunities were for the disabled.

  3. 3.

    Keith G

    March 26, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    Bang up job. Though it doesn’t make me feel better about America.

  4. 4.

    John M. Burt

    March 26, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    And the GOPers say . . . ?
    You guessed it: “Waaaah! She’s spending OUR money visiting foreign countries like she thinks her husband is the President or something!”

  5. 5.

    Baud

    March 26, 2014 at 10:24 pm

    On Tuesday, for example, she told students about her uphill journey from the South Side of Chicago to Princeton and Harvard Law School, both coveted destinations for the children of China’s elite.

    Who knew that the Chinese were so into Chicago’s South Side?

  6. 6.

    Mike in NC

    March 26, 2014 at 10:25 pm

    Has FOX News reported that her trip to China cost the taxpayers $500 million per day?

  7. 7.

    Baud

    March 26, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    On Wednesday, her last day in the country, Mrs. Obama will visit a research station for pandas, the ultimate symbol of China’s soft power.

    Um…

  8. 8.

    Karen in GA

    March 26, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    She is an impressive woman.

    I’m planning a trip to London in September. My first time there. Knowing me, my very presence will be an embarrassment to my country. The American embassy will be asked to do something about me, and they’ll be all, “Karen who? Where? We have no state called Georgia. Sorry we can’t help with her. Good luck! Good night!”

  9. 9.

    Mnemosyne

    March 26, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    @Baud:

    On Wednesday, her last day in the country, Mrs. Obama will visit a research station for pandas, the ultimate symbol of China’s soft floofy power.

    Better?

  10. 10.

    SiubhanDuinne

    March 26, 2014 at 10:35 pm

    @Karen in GA:

    I love London. Is this pure vacation, or work-related? Either way, I’m envious. I doubt I’ll get back to the UK until next year.

  11. 11.

    SiubhanDuinne

    March 26, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    @Mike in NC:

    I’ve heard that Rush Limbaugh thinks she should leave her mother there as our part of the cultural exchange.

  12. 12.

    Marc

    March 26, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    You know, any country that can send this family to the White House is doing something right.

    It’s the follow-through we need to work on.

  13. 13.

    NotMax

    March 26, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    Really dislike POTUS and FLOTUS. Reeks of inside the Beltway pseudo-cool kids jargon.

    Does it take that much extra effort to type out President and First Lady?

    Is the legislative branch that meets inside the Capital the COTUS?

  14. 14.

    coin operated

    March 26, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    From a wingnut buddy’s FB feed..Breitbart’s brats are posting about the hotel staff not liking her so the whole trip was a failure.

    I guess this is what we get when Benghazi has run it’s course.

  15. 15.

    chopper

    March 26, 2014 at 10:50 pm

    @John M. Burt:

    Lol, you wish they were that respectful.

  16. 16.

    MikeJ

    March 26, 2014 at 10:51 pm

    @NotMax: I hate the use of SCOTUS, since in filings you’re required to write USSC.

  17. 17.

    ruemara

    March 26, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    @coin operated: It’s the daily mail using the Moony Times as a “source”. The scum sucking writer is actually proud of himself for all the outrage and anger he’s caused.

  18. 18.

    the Conster

    March 26, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    @Marc:

    The country sent them twice. In landslides. It is easy to overlook the obvious.

  19. 19.

    Karen in GA

    March 26, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Vacation. It’s months away, and it’s already turning into a typical American vacation — “I must do this, this, this, and this. Then in the afternoon I can do this, this, and this. On day two, I’ll…” I have to dial it back a bit.

    But I want to do a day trip to Paris on the Eurostar. Just to marvel at the fact that I can. For that I’ll pick one or two things I want to do/see, and then just wander around. (Funny how the weather is always warm and sunny in my imagination.)

  20. 20.

    MikeJ

    March 26, 2014 at 11:09 pm

    @Karen in GA: Stay overnight in Paris. Gives you a chance to eat at a fancy Parisian restaurant, go to a jazz club, have late drinks. Learn how to get to your hotel from Gare du Nord on the metro before you get there.

  21. 21.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 26, 2014 at 11:15 pm

    @Karen in GA:

    But I want to do a day trip to Paris on the Eurostar. Just to marvel at the fact that I can

    That is the only reason to marvel. Well, the other reason to marvel is that you then arrive in Paris, where – having just adjusted to crossing streets where people drive on the left – you nearly get run down by someone in a Peugeot 206. Never mind that though; a glass of red wine and a ham sandwich on a baguette will fix everything.

  22. 22.

    Lolis

    March 26, 2014 at 11:20 pm

    @MikeJ:

    I agree. London is great, but Paris is Paris. Incomparable. Stay overnight. I ate at a great, affordable French bistro called Hugo’s. It is nothing fancy and not in a super chic neighborhood, but near the metro and delicious.

  23. 23.

    Chris

    March 26, 2014 at 11:35 pm

    @Lolis:

    London is great, but Paris is Paris.

    Better weather, better food, and it’s French. Yes, Paris FTW.

  24. 24.

    ? Martin

    March 26, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    Nothing against Hillary, but Michelle really is the greatest first lady. The shit this family has to tolerate is almost unbearable.

  25. 25.

    David Koch

    March 26, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    There’s a scandal brewing: a married man was caught kissing Michelle’s hand

  26. 26.

    askew

    March 26, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Michelle Obama doesn’t get much credit from the left pundits especially the white, female pundits. But,she’s been an incredible first lady. Her Let’s Move campaign has helped to lower obesity in children, she’s gotten healthy foods into urban grocery/convenience stores, requiring restaurants to list calories on the menu, making school lunches healthier and her work to get veterans and spouses of enlisted military jobs has been incredible. It’s too bad she doesn’t get more credit for the great job she’s been doing. But, then the white, liberal pundits have been ignoring President Obama’s accomplishments for the past 5 years as well.

  27. 27.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 26, 2014 at 11:49 pm

    @Chris: Now, having said what I did above, Dr. Johnson was right.

    Caveat: I have lived in London and on visited Paris.*

    *But, god, I love Paris. Add Chicago into the mix and you have my three favorite cities.

  28. 28.

    Chris

    March 26, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Ah. I’m missing that one. (Chicago).

    Though if we’re doing American cities, Los Angeles and New Orleans are the two I still haven’t visited and would really like to.

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 12:00 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Lovely spelling. “I have lived in London and only visited Paris.”

    Jesus.

  30. 30.

    ruemara

    March 27, 2014 at 12:08 am

    @David Koch: inpeach?

  31. 31.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 12:09 am

    @Chris: New Orleans is lovely. It strikes me as an American Venice. History and culture, but with an underlying sense that it will disappear. Also, the kids in the Vieux Carré who are playing and dancing for change – creating character and shit – why aren’t they in school? There is a lot that is good an beautiful in that area’s culture, but the ugly still lurks right at the the surface.

    BTW: NOLA and Amsterdam would probably be 4 and 5 on my list. And as far as A-dam goes, I am not a stoner. It is simply a clean, cosmopolitan, and interesting city.

  32. 32.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 12:22 am

    I’ve never been to Paris. I have friends that live there and an open invitation to visit for a week or two, but I’ve never taken them up on it. Now y’all are making me feel bad about it. Perhaps I’ll endeavor to fix that.

  33. 33.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 12:31 am

    @? Martin: You might well not like it. Like NOLA, you need to adjust to Paris; some bits are uncomfortable, some are stupid, and some are transcendent. If you can say, “it’s Paris, so what” over the badand mean it, you can really enjoy the city. If not, you won’t. Many people cannot.

  34. 34.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 12:35 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Pretty much no question I’ll like it. My french is rusty, but I can polish that up easily enough. I grew up in NYC, and I like cities in general. They’re actually somewhat more relaxing for me than the burbs. And being there with locals (who are professional chefs, no less) how can it not be wonderful?

  35. 35.

    Violet

    March 27, 2014 at 12:37 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I love Paris. It’s my favorite city. But if you haven’t visited London in the last ten years, or even the last five, it’s a city transformed. It’s way more interesting than it used to be. The architecture has changed, it’s more pedestrian-friendly, and it has a cutting edge culinary scene. The old boiled-until-dead British food stereotype is way off base. It’s a vibrant, exciting city now. Very different from even a decade ago.

  36. 36.

    Violet

    March 27, 2014 at 12:40 am

    @? Martin: The Parisians can be snotty about people attempting to speak French. Elsewhere in France, if you try it’s generally well received. In Paris, not always so. It’s still a wonderful city. If you’ve got chef friends who have invited you for a visit, why are you here and not there already? Go!

  37. 37.

    Rheinhard

    March 27, 2014 at 12:46 am

    I think this would be an apt place to add this little cherry on top.

    You see, the RWNJs are complaining that while Moochelle is overseas (on their taxes footing the bill!) talking about how RRRRAAAAACIST America used to be, the only discrimination that’s still OK here is that against Christians (who just want to be free to deny their employees birth control as the Founders intended)…

  38. 38.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 12:49 am

    @Violet: Last time I was in London was in 2010. Note that the comment to which you are responding was meant as a post-correct time correction to a previous comment and not a stand alone entity.

    @? Martin: You are an OC STEM guy. Or at least that is the impression you give. Paris is a liberal arts city. It is not clean and logical and all that. It is dirty and beautiful. Modern and medieval and everything in between. If I underestimate you, I apologize.

  39. 39.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 12:49 am

    @Violet: I’ve got 7 years of french under my belt, so it polishes up pretty well once I get immersed. I’d need to go hang out with my fluent french colleagues for a while before going, though. It’s been a while and a few other languages since I really exercised it.

    The last 2 years have been a terrible grind. I can’t quite pull out of it enough to rally the family and go. If my daughter was excited about it, it’d be easier.

  40. 40.

    Violet

    March 27, 2014 at 1:05 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I read the thread but missed the date on your last visit to London. I personally was amazed at how much it had changed in a short while, even though I’d heard it had, and the comment is available for others to read as well.

    @? Martin: You could always treat yourself to a visit or maybe you and significant other or friend. Leave the daughter at home.

  41. 41.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 1:12 am

    @Violet: Every time that I have been in London was great. It is London and has been for a thousand years. Just remember to look left-right-left-right-left-right-left-right before one crosses a street and it is all good.

  42. 42.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 1:13 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Or at least that is the impression you give.

    Yep, that’s right.

    Paris is a liberal arts city. It is not clean and logical and all that. It is dirty and beautiful. Modern and medieval and everything in between. If I underestimate you, I apologize.

    No apology needed. Like I said, I grew up in NYC in the 70s. It was pretty dirty and medieval itself. And I’m an odd person. I spent at much time in the Met as the Museum of Natural History. I loved history. I studied some classics and was part of an ancient greek research project for a while after I graduated. Architecture was my original career goal when I entered college before I changed majors a billion times. I’m an atheist who went to a religious school because I think religion is interesting – I’m just not religious. What I figured out in college is that I find everything interesting, and would study it all if I could. I settled on the STEM stuff because I had an affinity for it and figured it’d better help me pay rent. I’m still all over the place, though. I promised my daughter if she chose Mandarin for her foreign language that I’d learn it with her. It’d actually be useful at work, too, so I’m looking forward to that. I’ve been toying with the idea of picking up an instrument – something I regret giving up too early as a kid.

    Paris is interesting to me. Slowing down enough to enjoy it would probably be my biggest challenge. I’m not very good at that.

  43. 43.

    AxelFoley

    March 27, 2014 at 1:14 am

    @askew:

    Michelle Obama doesn’t get much credit from the left pundits especially the white, female pundits. But,she’s been an incredible first lady. Her Let’s Move campaign has helped to lower obesity in children, she’s gotten healthy foods into urban grocery/convenience stores, requiring restaurants to list calories on the menu, making school lunches healthier and her work to get veterans and spouses of enlisted military jobs has been incredible. It’s too bad she doesn’t get more credit for the great job she’s been doing. But, then the white, liberal pundits have been ignoring President Obama’s accomplishments for the past 5 years as well.

    This.

  44. 44.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 1:17 am

    @Violet:

    Leave the daughter at home.

    That’s hard. They’re teenagers now. They’re going to be leaving soon.

  45. 45.

    Violet

    March 27, 2014 at 1:32 am

    @? Martin: So you’re saying you don’t want to go to Paris because you don’t want to be away from them? Or you don’t want to leave them at home by themselves? The second one is easy to solve–have them stay with some friends or family. The first one, well, that’s up to you.

    Also–think long weekend in Paris. Cheap airfares in shoulder seasons are available and it can be a great trip. Fun to come back and answer the, “What did you do this weekend?” question with, “Went to Paris.”

  46. 46.

    ? Martin

    March 27, 2014 at 1:35 am

    @Violet:

    So you’re saying you don’t want to go to Paris because you don’t want to be away from them?

    Don’t want to be away from them, and I think she’d later regret not having gone.

  47. 47.

    Darkrose

    March 27, 2014 at 1:39 am

    @Violet: I never had a problem with that. Of course, it helps that at the time I was 19, cute and thin, so my boobs looked even bigger. And it certainly didn’t hurt that I was clearly an American black woman, and therefore cool or exotic or something.

  48. 48.

    Omnes Omnibus

    March 27, 2014 at 1:41 am

    @? Martin: Moi? I think you won’t enjoy Paris except as a list check-off. I may well be wrong. I have been in the past.

  49. 49.

    gian

    March 27, 2014 at 1:46 am

    @Mike in NC:
    on fox, that’s the per second rate, isn’t it?

  50. 50.

    Violet

    March 27, 2014 at 1:48 am

    @? Martin: Make the offer to take her and let her live with the consequences of her decision. That’s an important lesson to learn, even if she ends up regretting it. You can always take her later if she decides she really wants to go. That’s all easier said than done, since you’re the parent and see her imminent departure from the nest.

  51. 51.

    SharonL

    March 27, 2014 at 10:12 am

    @askew:

    Hear! Hear! The disrespect is overbearing.

  52. 52.

    Mnemosyne

    March 27, 2014 at 11:20 am

    @? Martin:

    Wait wait wait. You’re claiming that you have a 14-year-old girl who would not want to go to Paris? What is wrong with her? I would have killed to go to Paris when I was 14.

  53. 53.

    Jado

    March 27, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    @NotMax:

    The way things are going, the legislative branch should be known as the Congressional Inefficiency Of The United States.

    It’s more…evocative of what they seem to think their mission is, especially the GOP side

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