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“Let them eat arugula!”

“For their own good. Though as Queen, I reserve the right to enjoy a 10-ounce American Wagyu steak and special-order red velvet cake. Because leading so vigorously requires the kinds of extra calories that simply doing as you’re told doesn’t. It’s a curse, frankly.

“Oh, if the masses only knew how good they have it!”

53 Replies to ““Let them eat arugula!””

  1. JD says:

    I am jealous.

  2. JD says:

    Prolly racist too

  3. Squid says:

    Michelle Obama celebrated her 48th birthday Tuesday night with her husband and friends at a D.C. steakhouse where the menu features a $28 hamburger named “The Obama.”

    BLT Steak describes its “Obama” burger as an 8-ounce American Kobe burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, burnt tomato ketchup, and scallion mustard.

    It’s described as 8 ounces of American Kobe for $28, but when it finally comes to your table (six months overdue), it’s a cold Whopper Junior and your bill is $73.86. Plus, you’re automatically required to buy another one every month for the rest of your life.

  4. Jeff G. says:

    They’d do away with winning and losing, if that’s the case, Blake. For the fairness.

  5. alppuccino says:

    There is something inherently narcissistic about celebrating your own birth after 48 years like it’s still the greatest thing that ever happened. But, I suppose narcissism can show itself in many ways.

    Not begrudging, just observing.

    By the way, are any of the servants at BLT black?

    No? Why the hell not?! Is the opportunity to make huge tips (except for when waiting on the Obamas) reserved only for white people?

    Yes? What the hell. Talk about stratification! Give the black people waiter jobs so the whites can see them as their servants.

  6. Seriously, why is this an issue? Aren’t there enough real things to be upset or angry about without sniping about what Michelle Obama has for her birthday?

  7. alppuccino says:

    Seriously, why is this an issue? Aren’t there enough real things to be upset or angry about without sniping about what Michelle Obama has for her birthday?

    People should never criticize other peoples’ posts or comments based on their own opinion of each subject’s priority. Which is why your comment is really dumb and, in my opinion, not very important.

  8. Squid says:

    We’re documenting the daily examples of Progressive hypocrisy from the First Family. Austerity? Healthy eating? Limiting carbon footprints? Making due with less? These things are all for Democrat voters, never Democrat leaders!

    Perhaps if you were criticizing Jeff for repetitive, redundant, repeated redundancy, I’d call it a fair cop. But unimportant? I’m not with you there.

  9. BuddyPC says:

    5. alppuccino posted on 1/18 @ 12:32 pm
    There is something inherently narcissistic about celebrating your own birth after 48 years like it’s still the greatest thing that ever happened. But, I suppose narcissism can show itself in many ways.
    Not begrudging, just observing.

    I’m filing this under “Make Hay.”
    When you know the gig is likely up there may not be another go-round next January.
    Sort of like, in keeping with the burger joint metaphor, those patrons who must grab as many ketchup packs as they can, regardless of whatever order they’re taking out.

  10. geoffb says:

    Inauguration day January 20, 2013. They can squeeze one more in and not care about the cost.

  11. BuddyPC says:

    BTW, I come from a long line of cooks and have been sucked back into the family business, so I am somewhat of a foodie.
    Anyone else get the sense that Misses O. is another of those vulgar philistines with an expense account who more appreciates, and can only distinguish, the menu listing with the price tag rather than anything on the plate? There’s more than a few waiters and kitchen jocks here; you know who I mean. The late afternoon downtown crowd with the sloppy fitting designer suits who want everyone to know about the Grey Goose in their cocktails.

    I bet, without much exaggeration, that I (as well as several thousand others equally and more capable) could chop up whatever choice-grade sirloin I find at BJ’s, grill it up exactly as BLT, serve it up for the same $28 and she’d be none the wiser.

  12. dicentra says:

    Aren’t there enough real things to be upset or angry about without sniping about what Michelle Obama has for her birthday?

    This IS the larger issue. She and Obama and their cronies behave like the court of Louise XIV. We never saw Laura Bush spend $10 million in taxpayer money to jet-set around the world with her pals. The Bushes (41 & 43) vacationed either at Camp David or their own property in Maine or Texas. They didn’t hold weekly celebrity bashes at the White House. They comported themselves modestly while in office, despite their considerable personal fortunes. Bush II gave up golf when he was criticized for appearing lazy or uninvolved.

    This isn’t a side issue; it’s emblematic of the whole Oministration. We can eat cake, while they are more equal than the rest of us bitter clingers.

    I don’t know how much larger a red flag you want to signify aspiring tyrants than this behavior.

    Ok, there’s this, from Taranto:

    Toby Harnden of London’s Daily Mail last week puzzled over the Obama administration’s defensive reaction to “The Obamas,” the new book by Jodi Kantor.…

    Reader Michele Schiesser sent us a link to the Harnden post, along with her analysis, which is reminiscent of the Taranto Principle:

    I think it is often difficult for leftists like Kantor to write a complimentary story about those they admire since they are so blinded by their own irrational love as to be unable to identify behaviors that are not admirable. They think they have written something nice about their subject but oops it reeks of narcissism, rudeness or immaturity.

    Over the weekend we started the Kantor book, which we’ve been enjoying so far, and we thought of the Schiesser analysis when we read this passage early in the Obama story:

    Michelle had never kept boyfriends for long before. She was statuesque, impassioned, and loyal, with a wicked comedic glint. But she was tough on everyone around her, with expectations others often found unrealistically high, and few compunctions about calling people out when she felt they had failed. Those standards appealed to Barack. He wanted to live up to his potential, to hedge against the bitterness and disappointment of his father’s life. He sought a partner who would “help him remember what he was there to do and who he was,” said his sister, Maya Sotero.

    On the other hand, Kantor’s descriptions of Mr. Obama, and of Mrs. Obama in relation to him, are more nuanced. Essentially Kantor is saying Michelle was a good match for Barack because the qualities that other men found unattractive complemented his shortcomings. Reading between the lines, it sounds as though the young Mr. Obama was somewhat adrift and sought out a–well, let’s be nice and say a “strong” woman to impose some discipline. But Kantor describes this obliquely enough that it seems possible she’s unaware that it’s not altogether flattering to the president either.

    My dad (a cerebral narcissist) has written up his personal history, and some passages are positively cringeworthy. He thinks he’s tossing out a candid observation about someone else but in reality it’s a full-frontal insult. He just can’t tell, because he’s unable to put himself in another person’s shoes.

    Furthermore, this description of Michele confirms what I suspected: she’s a narcissist, too, which is why she can stand to be married to Obama. Complementary narcissists (e.g., Bill and Hill) find their association mutually beneficial but the relationship never really approaches love.

    Which, it’s better for narcissists to marry each other, because that’s two fewer narcissists to victimize normal people.

  13. alppuccino says:

    I bet, without much exaggeration, that I (as well as several thousand others equally and more capable) could chop up whatever choice-grade sirloin I find at BJ’s, grill it up exactly as BLT, serve it up for the same $28 and she’d be none the wiser.

    I think this has more to do with her eating-speed than taste.

  14. leigh says:

    Buddy, I agree with what you’re saying about Mitchel’s “foodie” cred. She’s one of those people who eats old school rich folks food; lobster, steaks, molten chocolate cakes. She also drinks Stoli and Grey Goose vodka dirty martinis. Very 80’s. A quick review of the WH state dinners, regardless of the country of origin of the guests, is nearly always the same. Again with the shellfish, steaks, cakes, and spuds.

    Laura Bush was a very charming and conscientious First Lady. She made it her mission to make the WH State Dinner menus a celebration of American food and wines. Michelle is all about the excess. She really needed to marry someone like Diddy so she could really bling it up and have her own private label vodka.

  15. dicentra, I’m in complete agreement with much of what you wrote and would love to see anyone in Big Media ask Obama why she couldn’t manage with a 12 day Hawaiian vacation but instead had to fly out two days ealier with all the extra expense and , gasp, carbon emissions, but I can’t get worked up about her choices for a birthday lunch/dinner, which by their spending standards were in fact pretty tame. How you choose to equate this meal with all the other massive fraud and waste is what I struggle with and don’t understand. It’s bitching about every single thing that causes people to tune all the criticism out. Michelle Obama is not evil incarnate or reliably wrong about every single thing.

    Is she a hypocrite? Sure. Is she a narcissist? Sure. But her being a hypocritical narcissist doesn’t really affect my rights or status. Her other actions and plans would be just as objectionable to me if she wasn’t a hypocrite or narcissist.

    My apologies in advance if this post is as unintelligent as Newsweek supposes Obama’s critics to be or if it is commensurately as unimportant.

  16. Ernst Schreiber says:

    Anyone else get the sense that Misses O. is another of those vulgar philistines with an expense account who more appreciates, and can only distinguish, the menu listing with the price tag rather than anything on the plate? [….]
    I bet, without much exaggeration, that I (as well as several thousand others equally and more capable) could chop up whatever choice-grade sirloin I find at BJ’s, grill it up exactly as BLT, serve it up for the same $28 and she’d be none the wiser.

    If that’s your polite way of saying “who the hell turns wagyu beef into effin’ hamburger, I’m right there with you.
    The only way that little tidbit of insight into Michele could get any better would be if we were to learn she likes her wagyu beef filet served well-done.

  17. leigh says:

    With ketchup.

  18. Ernst Schreiber says:

    heh

  19. Surely she would chose A-1 over catsup.

  20. mojo says:

    Have you any Grey Poupon?

  21. McGehee says:

    She’d put mayonnaise on it. I just have that feeling.

  22. dicentra says:

    It’s bitching about every single thing that causes people to tune all the criticism out.

    Or it’s hammering on the same thing over and over that makes it Common Knowledge.

    Po-TAY-to, po-TAH-to.

  23. Jeff G. says:

    How you choose to equate this meal with all the other massive fraud and waste is what I struggle with and don’t understand. It’s bitching about every single thing that causes people to tune all the criticism out. Michelle Obama is not evil incarnate or reliably wrong about every single thing.

    Is she a hypocrite? Sure. Is she a narcissist? Sure. But her being a hypocritical narcissist doesn’t really affect my rights or status

    You could always just skip the free shit you don’t like. Me, I enjoy pointing out the hypocrisy and narcissism of an unelected, uncredentialed woman living high off of tax dollars who presumes to tell school fundraisers what they can and cannot sell, food wise, as well as tries to influence the menus of private restaurant chains w/ suggestions for the way they prepare and present food that her ample ass would likely bitch loudly about, just before she undertipped, were it to happen at one of her upscale favorites.

    It’s the nature of these kinds of people, and I like to highlight it. If you don’t like to read about it — or if you think my mentioning of it is somehow hurting the cause — well, all’s I can say is I get bored with writing the same shit every day. Sorry.

  24. LBascom says:

    If you’re drinking a screwdriver, house vodka is fine. For a dry martini you need a good label.

    When you cut up a cow, even a wagyu beef cow, there’s going to be hamburger.

    Steak should never be cooked more than medium rare, and nothing but light seasoning(S&P) should be added. If you’re going to eat something well done and/or with a condiment, stick with the chicken fried steak.

    I think I spent more for my 48th birthday meal than Michelle O.

  25. Jeff, IMHO the only relevant thing I wrote came just after you stopped quoting it. Hey, it’s your site and you can post what you want, and your commentors can comment on what they want. In no way do I want to be seen as challenging that on any level, and I’m not presumptuous enough to imagine that you owe me anything. I cringe with your use of the word sorry.

    I’ve struggled with this a little, but it seem to me it comes down to a question of whether you are trying to score a point with the choir or convince the people in the pews or the people you’re trying to get into the pews. The former is easy and a source of cheap thrills, the latter is much more difficult — but ultimately the only way to effect change through something non-violent.

    Anyway, I think we’re doomed, so I’m just whistling past the graveyard. The problem isn’t the politicians but instead the people who elect them. Let’s face it, the people want to be lied to. They want their free lunches and lack the ability to think critically about the propoganda they are fed every day. I am sincerely curious as to how those behind the Iron Curtain all those years had no problems seeing through the propoganda, yet our free citizens can’t recognize it even as everything they have is being taken from them. But I digress.

  26. sdferr says:

    “I am sincerely curious as to how those behind the Iron Curtain all those years had no problems seeing through the propaganda, yet our free citizens can’t recognize it even as everything they have is being taken from them. ”

    About that.

  27. LBascom says:

    The title, The Engineer of Human Souls,” comes from Stalin himself, who used it to describe the intellectuals’ proper mission in a Communist state

    Communism, like Islam, is a religion that can tolerate no other.

  28. LBascom says:

    Sdferr, have you read The Engineer of Human Souls? I’m thinking of seeing if there’s a kindle edition.

  29. Jeff G. says:

    I agree with all of what you said, charles. Which has made me more bitter and sarcastic with respect to our oppressors. For years here I tried to convince, only to realize there was no way to convince a person who wants to be enslaved by the state that liberty is precious.

    The left has taught its useful idiots to act as if politics is a team sport. And they actually believe themselves to be a valuable member of team, when really their value evaporates at the very moment “their” team finally wins.

    The poor delusional historically ignorant dopes.

  30. RI Red says:

    The arugula, please, medium rare. With Heinz 57.
    Almost half the country suckling on the government teat. I have to say that the Left has done a masterful job while we’ve been out earning a living.

  31. BT says:

    What the hell is burnt ketchup?

  32. leigh says:

    Barbeque sauce that they charge a lot for.

  33. leigh says:

    Yup. You call something familiar by a stupid name and you can make a mint.

  34. Danger says:

    “Which, it’s better for narcissists to marry each other, because that’s two fewer narcissists to victimize normal people.”

    My o My Lady Di,

    Don’t forget that 300+ million (mostly normal people) weren’t saved by this marriage. I’d say our only hope is an exorcism!

  35. Danger says:

    “With ketchup.”

    Well played Madam!

  36. dicentra says:

    The poor delusional historically ignorant dopes.

    Why should they care about being ignorant or delusional when there’s so much pleasure to be derived from sitting at the cool kids’ table?

  37. dicentra says:

    Don’t forget that 300+ million (mostly normal people) weren’t saved by this marriage.

    Unless it has actually sped up the frog-boiling, in which case a few more may stumble into the lifeboats before it’s too late.

  38. Danger says:

    Dicentra,

    I hope it’s a lot more than a few.
    And it’s not to late already.

  39. Gulermo says:

    #31 I make the burned ketchup. I use pasta de tomato,(tomato paste), fryed in a non-stick pan with salt, olive oil(small amount), and a little oregano. I fry the mixture and after about four or five minutes add water to get the consistancy I want then add asucre crudo,(brown sugar), to taste. There are alot of recipes out there; this is the one I use.

  40. leigh says:

    Si! Barbeque sauce.

  41. Gulermo says:

    #41 Not. Lighter taste. The tomato paste is almost burned. You can add other ingredients. Like vinagre, papaya, whatever you have.

  42. Gulermo says:

    I also start my marrinara sauces by “burning the pasta de tomato.

  43. leigh says:

    I’m teasing you, G. There are many BBQ sauces.

  44. Gulermo says:

    #44 Salsa de barbacoa, bbq sauce is used to seal the meat with a carmelized mixture, this is used a flavor garnish. I don’t eat it, the ten year old does. He likes it on hamburgers. Salsa de barbacoa is a completely different animal here. Little or no sugar, more spices and some have massive amounts of chilero. Also common to be able to buy it preped from the local super or WalMart.

  45. leigh says:

    American bbq sauces are generally quite sweet. I imagine the Burnt Ketchup in the article is made with charred or blackened tomatoes as a base, at least that is the way I have seen it prepared.

    I make my marinara the same way you described. It tastes like it has cooked all day when you brown the tomato paste first.

  46. bour3 says:

    American Wagyu is bullshit.

    But I cannot see anything interesting in this. Try hard as I do I cannot work up a speck of umbrage. Yes, yes, yes, to all of these things that you say, and I do appreciate your point of view and do see how so much nettles, but still, behind all that I cannot care about what Barak Obama’s wife shoves into her pie hole, or what comes out of it for that matter.

    I bought 80% ground top round and made a big fat burger. Lots of fat in that, just how I like it. The burger was simple and excellent. Hopefully I will put on a few pounds.

    Two days later my friend and I went to Tony’s at 9th and Broadway. I ordered their Kobe burger. It was not crap but it was not Kobe beef. Not by a long shot. $10.00, eh.

    Incidentally, I recently learned the joy of making my own mustard. I made the best catsup too by reducing a tin of tomato sauce and slightly burning it. It turned out extremely sweet. I’ve long made my own mayonnaise. But that’s irrelevant to the subject at hand.

    I am bugged by a lot of things regarding this administration, but this particular thing does not trip my trigger.

  47. Slartibartfast says:

    For a dry martini you need a good label.

    Tanqueray, or Bombay. There are probably some other gins that would do, though.

    which by their spending standards were in fact pretty tame

    By their standards, possibly.

    When I want a premium steak, I have to go all the way to Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, where a 10-ounce aged filet will set you back only about $44 (menu is a la carte), plus sides and wine and the like. But I never go there, because it’s unbelievably extravagant AND an hour’s drive.

    Not even for my 50th birthday.

    But I am not pulling down $400k plus various and sundry, and living on a taxpayer-funded expense budget. Obama is one of the little peoplea guy you could have a beer withdiscuss constitutionality of indefinite detentions with admire as a king!

  48. Squid says:

    I cannot care about what Barak Obama’s wife shoves into her pie hole, or what comes out of it for that matter.

    I don’t respect her, and I’m unlikely to live my life the way she sees fit, but I very much care what comes out of her pie-hole, because it’s illustrative of the values and behaviors of the inhabitants of the White House. They are pretenders, suffering from severe cognitive dissonance because they enjoy the trappings and lifestyle of the upper class, but can’t bring themselves to embrace the people with whom they share such rarefied air.

    Six months from now, when I’m telling my friends and family why it’s so important to get these sociopaths out of the White House, I’ll rely on examples like this to illustrate just why I use words like “sociopath” to describe them.

    I share Jeff’s frustration, in that there seems to be some magic number out there where if you cite fewer than M examples of a particular behavior, your critics say it’s too few to establish a pattern, and you’re grasping at straws; whereas if you cite more than M examples, you’re just being repetitive or obsessive. If anyone can share with me the exact value of M, I’d be obliged.

  49. Ernst Schreiber says:

    The cogntive dissonance is that they believe they’ve “earned” the right to live high off the hog, whereas the entrepeneur, or the investor, anyone else who’s succeeded through business accumen grubbing teh moneies, for that matter, hasn’t earned that right.

    It’s conspicuous consumption as a form of intellectual and moral vanity.

  50. leigh says:

    If any of you have ever had a chance to look over their finances when he was Senator, it is painfully obvious that they were inches away from being credit criminals. Their home was remortgaged and borrowed against to the tune of two and a half times its market value. Their credit cards were maxed out. They had a personal chef, one Sam Katz, who now cooks for them at the WH. They were already living like arrivistes, and now they can live like kings or tin-pot dictators.

    It’s no wonder that the man can’t make heads or tales of the economy and the need for frugality. His answer in his own life has always been to request a higher credit limit or leverage whatever he had, eg, his home, to cover his/her excessive spending rather than living within their considerable means.

    He has the Treasury at his disposal now. Let the printing presses roll!

  51. leigh says:

    tales=tails

  52. Mueller says:

    Gulermo posted on 1/18 @ 9:36 pm
    I also start my marrinara sauces by “burning the pasta de tomato.

    Oh. Man. I gotta try that for my pizza sauce.

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