Attack on Michelle Obama illustrates lack of knowledge and respect

Re: May 19 letter from Marie Layman, “Why is Obama spending so much taxpayer money?”

Thank you for researching, fact-checking and printing the “Editor’s Note” preceding this letter. Her attempt at trying to conjure up an image of “Queen” Michelle Obama reclining on a divan with 22 handmaidens primping her hair, tweaking the folds of her gown and eating caviar and truffles (“waiting on her hand and foot”) is so patently ridiculous that I had to laugh out loud.

Apparently, Ms. Layman has no concept of the role of the First Lady of the United States in modern times. Unlike the First Ladies of bygone eras, who sat around sipping tea (and sometimes, cocktails) and planning parties and dinners in the White House, modern First Ladies oversee complex social and State activities and her staff handles the hundreds of thousands of letters and electronic messages, (many of which are responded to, personally, by Mrs. Obama) and handle a myriad of other responsibilities that support the role and the activities of the President and First Lady.

Ms. Layman’s letter was not only an insult to the First Lady. but was an insult to the educated and responsible individuals who comprise her staff. Ms. Layman should have researched her subject before spouting her very tunnel-visioned opinion which sounds typical of rants by the likes of Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

Additionally, her unwarranted attack on the demeanor, intentions, integrity, patriotism and loyalty of the First Lady in such vitriolic terms is without merit and extremely disrespectful. Her referring to unspecified “facts” about the First Lady’s past shows she has very few on which to base her opinions. Hatred and bias are what she conveyed with her diatribe.

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 11:42 AM with the headline "Attack on Michelle Obama illustrates lack of knowledge and respect."