General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNice photo from Barbara Bush's funeral
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
@maggieNYT
When you contrast this photo with a weekend-long tweetstorm from current @potus, its striking
malaise
(269,257 posts)also for Maggie Haberman 's tweet comment
TheBlackAdder
(28,243 posts)InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,124 posts)DownriverDem
(6,233 posts)That picture is US history. Not to mention it is a very nice picture too.
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)nini
(16,672 posts)I dont know how anyone can walk in those things
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)NastyRiffraff
(12,448 posts)or naturally. You can clearly see how her feet are distorted by those shoes. There's no way you can walk naturally, without thought & worry about stumbling or tipping over in stilettos.
treestar
(82,383 posts)must feel like walking on tip toe
greatauntoftriplets
(175,766 posts)It's a miracle that she can stand or walk in them without toppling over.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Can't this woman go anywhere without wearing stiletto heels?
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Some people wear different heights, this is a ridiculous thing to call her out for.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)The most conspicuous part of that picture is who isn't in it.
Kali
(55,027 posts)I am torn on it.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)However, I seriously doubt it was intended that way.
TeamPooka
(24,286 posts)forgotmylogin
(7,539 posts)I'd be happy if this entire group would walk up to the White House front door and take over.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)I'm sure the Bushes were relieved he wasn't there.
Doodley
(9,164 posts)BobTheSubgenius
(11,573 posts)I find it surprising that so little is being made of that. Or is it not nearly as bad as I think it is?
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I guess we have different ideas as to what is appropriate for certain occasions.
TNNurse
(6,931 posts)They will ruin your feet and ankles but some women will do anything to look good.
If she could see the surgery that is done to correct what those do to your toes......
syringis
(5,101 posts)I agree.
On the other hand, she's so used to walking in manure that she can't live without her ridiculous heels.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)LOL! You are right on that account!
Hope all is well!
Rorey
(8,445 posts)That's why her stilettos are the wrong choice. Nobody should be talking about what shoes somebody wore to a funeral. There are situations where "standing out" is fine, but a funeral isn't one of them, unless it's your own funeral, of course.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)My everyday attire is casual and comfortable, but when I attend an event I dress appropriately. My "funeral outfit" is consistent with the situation.
Edited: That said, when my husband died, many people came to the funeral in their work uniforms because they left work to attend. I sure didn't expect them to run home and change and was touched that they came.
Ok, I suppose we can say that Melania came in her "work uniform".
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)She seems comfortable, she looks nice, no one around her seems unhappy with her choice of footwear - since I'm sure they really don't care - so I'm not sure what all the DU handwriting is about.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Hilarious. Id love to see these folks n the flesh.
Just to get a gander at how perfect they are.
stonecutter357
(12,698 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)calendargirl
(191 posts)Criticizing her for her shoes? What she really needs to rid herself of is her husband. She looks very content in all of the pics from the funeral.
GoCubsGo
(32,100 posts)I suspect those shoes are more her husband's idea than the are hers.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)TNNurse
(6,931 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)... if we are going to do this, lets do this.
TNNurse
(6,931 posts)Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Other than wearing dark colors, is there a funeral dress code that I'm not aware of?
As I noted in another post, black funerals are sometimes virtually a runway fashion show - dressing to the nines as a way we show respect: our finest dresses, fabulous hats (the HATS!) and, yes, kickass high heel shoes.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)If it's a custom to "dress to the nines", then one would almost sort of stand out by not "dressing to the nines". I understand what you're saying, and I respect it. And I appreciate and even admire the reasoning behind the dress code for some situations.
I'm just saying, this was Barbara Bush's day. The fact that one particular person's footwear is being discussed indicates that she didn't follow the norm in this particular situation.
Also, I'm not going to deny that I can't stand Melania. In countless situations she has dressed inappropriately. This is just one more instance where it is my opinion that she should have done what she could to not try to grab the spotlight. Melania's footwear isn't the most important issue in the world right now, but she obviously chooses what she wears to make people notice her. We noticed. So there you go.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)It means that some people can't stand Melania (I'm among them on that), probably couldn't find anything else to criticize her for (but if it weren't here shoes, they would have found SOMETHING else), and assume that just because they or people in their circles wouldn't wear them, that means she's out of the norm, failing to take into account that what's normal for them does not determine what is appropriate for everyone else - since in my world, very high heels IS a norm (or at least not abnormal).
And I sincerely doubt that Melanie's footwear caused the least bit of concerned insult to the Bush family or made them feel that she was trying to take away from Barbara Bush's day.
montana_hazeleyes
(3,424 posts)I think it's a lovely picture and don't see anything to find fault with. I doubt anyone at the funeral cared one bit what shoes anyone was wearing.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)rpannier
(24,350 posts)It's a funeral
Her attire is more than appropriate
People will find some reason to complain
So far Ive only seen it discussed here, on a liberal website, which is supposed to empower women to choose what kinds of clothes theyd like to wear.
But hey, whatever...
Rorey
(8,445 posts)I still try to show respect for the situation.
Our opinions differ. Some see it one way and some see it another, but it's a real stretch to say that criticizing Melania's footwear is going against empowering women. But hey, whatever...
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)rwsanders
(2,613 posts)as empowering. I'm a PT and I treat the aftermath. That would be like saying the Chinese women who bind their feet are "empowered". In both cases it is trying to fit into a perverted view of "beauty" that I seriously doubt was originated by women. In both cases there are also long-term debilitating physical implectations. Hardly a definition of empowerment.
CountAllVotes
(20,879 posts)At her age the damage is done.
She probably has to wear them around the house as the pain from the damage to the feet is massive.
Sad really. It is a nice picture of her and it makes me like to see a real smile on her face rather than a put on one which is what we often see.
I hate to admit it, but I do feel a bit sorry for her.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)the world knows DJT has a hot piece of ass on his arm and never comfortably or appropriately for the occasion (think, hurricane appearance in stiletto heels). Who knows, maybe she does like them, but I personally think they are very uncomfortable and damaging to a woman's foot.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)I wonder if wearing them is her contract with 45?
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)She's probably been wearing those gawdawful spike heels for so long that her achilles tendons have become contracted and she can't walk flat-footed at all. Used to know a woman that happened to; she even had to wear bedroom slippers with heels.
PatSeg
(47,711 posts)I also knew a woman who had to wear high heeled slippers because years of wearing high heels ruined her feet. It is painful just looking at Melania's heels.
I have to say though, she looks happy in this photo, as she did in the one sitting next to Obama. It must be nice to be around decent people for a change.
luvtheGWN
(1,336 posts)......why is her left fist clenched? (Maybe because her feet hurt?)
PatSeg
(47,711 posts)The shoes sure do look painful.
nolabels
(13,133 posts)are sometimes distracting. To add though, even my eyes hurt seeing someone wearing those heels
Hekate
(90,978 posts)...when she ran out her front door barefoot responding to some emergency, after years of wearing high heels.
I have problem feet, always have, and just looking at Melania's shoes make my feet twinge. But as I've said from the outset, there must be something in the pre-nup about footwear.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)And, being a grown-ass woman, she decided to wear what she wanted to wear on her own feet ...
I'm as big a Melania critic as they come, but all of this criticism about the size of the heel on the dress shoes she wore to a funeral is petty and smacks of mean girl snark. And I don't see anyone here commenting on what any of the men are wearing.
Hekate
(90,978 posts)Your comments about dressing to the nines for a funeral are interesting -- I love hats, and have seen some gorgeous ones in photos at least. Love dressing up, too, but Coastal California is pretty casual, and ultimately my closet reflects it. So much about attire depends on location and group culture.
As for the past-presidents and their wives in the group photo, they all look good to my eye -- soberly dressed for the occasion, respectful. Any poor cousins in the pews could have worn less-expenisve versions of the same garments and not felt out of place. Melania's shoes are a complete non-issue, and mean-girl comments are stupid.
LeftInTX
(25,720 posts)Her toes are squished!
randr
(12,418 posts)dflprincess
(28,091 posts)she wears those awful things so much she may have shortened her tendons and will need to work to stretch them back to a normal length. This happened to a friend who wore heels (though not this extreme) so much it hurt to go barefoot or wear flats.
GETPLANING
(846 posts)She needs those shoes. But they look very unnatural. I would love to see video of Melania walking in those things.
calimary
(81,565 posts)But not 5+ inchers! OUCH. My knees started complaining. And the toe box is so small and pointed - that's how women wind up with feet like my mother had. Horrible. Misshapen and gnarled bony toes, like horse's hooves and dogs' feet, jammed into those cramped pointy-toed shoes with high heels that thrust the foot down and forward - INTO those cramped pointy-toed toe boxes. And they hurt all the time. After awhile, if you care about the health and longevity of your feet, you begin to realize that it's time to give that up.
Hillary always wears low heels. That's what I do now, if the occasion calls for it. Nothing higher than two-inches.
nini
(16,672 posts)Whether i agree with their politics or not.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)What a contrast to the hater in the WH.
Upthevibe
(8,102 posts)Thunderbeast
(3,426 posts)This is how HUMANS are supposed to act!
Give it up with the shoe comments. If her heart is genuine at this time, and she brings some comfort to the family (much as I disagree with their politcs), she can wear sandals and socks!
Please also note the warmth between W. and Hillary. Even as rivals, they have come to like each other as people.
Lessons can be learned from this photograph.
Lucky Luciano
(11,267 posts)LisaM
(27,848 posts)Al Gore.
Cha
(297,935 posts)Thanks, DesertRat
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)It's telling that being with the Obamas at a funeral is the happiest I've seen her look.
Cha
(297,935 posts)with trump at the inauguration.
spooky3
(34,518 posts)Cha
(297,935 posts)The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)Last edited Sun Apr 22, 2018, 12:28 PM - Edit history (1)
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)mobeau69
(11,167 posts)Mike Nelson
(9,980 posts)...first ladies and gentlemen behave! The one wrong note is Melania's footwear - I know they are supposed to give you height and boost your buttocks, but her height and figure look fine.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)I'm no fan of Melania, but she has every right to wear whatever she damned well pleases.
meadowlark5
(2,795 posts)Isn't this kind of like the republicans critiquing Michelle Obama for wearing a sleeveless dress in the White House portrait and many here thinking it was absurd?
How is high heels or showing one's arms disrespectful? She had high heels on, not the platform stripper pole stilettos. They're just very high heels.
mulsh
(2,959 posts)Those women I know have been wearing shoes like that since we were teenagers. I'm a man and never wear stiletto healed anything.
Melania looks relaxed and happy, gone are the very hard edges I see in most photos of her. I bet she has flats stashed in her purse or with one of the secret service detail. Or hell, maybe she joined the other gals and kicked her shoes off at the wake. I wouldn't put that past any of those women in that picture.
Gurrl, let me get these shoes off ...
Glimmer of Hope
(5,823 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)At 5'5, Hillary is the shortest person in the group, with the exception of Laura the rest of them look very tall by comparison. Would be interesting to see where Trump would have measured up in this photo.
malchickiwick
(1,474 posts)...and that lady of to the right with the leopard-skin purse needs a crop.
lostnfound
(16,195 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)malchickiwick
(1,474 posts)Fuck if I will give fucken GWB a fucken break. Fuck that.
IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)We can't let our disdain for evil people take over our humanity. If we do, then evil people have won.
FSogol
(45,580 posts)Kirk Lover
(3,608 posts)People around here are like a broken record. It's like they have their canned outrage response no matter what the topic.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)jalan48
(13,907 posts)rpannier
(24,350 posts)Agreed
Thank you
sagetea
(1,375 posts)My own mother died on the same day as his, it's not easy and smug look could be just the calm between the waves of loss. I didn't like him as pResident, but, I mourn with him with our mothers' deaths.
catrose
(5,076 posts)the way he's smiling with one side of his face.
That said, probably any expression we make when a chief mourner might be strained.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)Although Im 180 degrees from the Bushes on the political spectrum, #45 should never be included in this group. Never.
FAKE PRESIDENT!
mucifer
(23,599 posts)VOX
(22,976 posts)And me, having been a member of DU for 16 years, yet. Tsk, tsk.
Of course I know he was selected, but sadly, he sure got his right-wing ass elected in 2004. It was Cheneys presidency, anyway. And were still stuck in the ME.
Abu Pepe
(637 posts)Upthevibe
(8,102 posts)dalton99a
(81,677 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)If Trump had been there, he'd have insisted on standing next to Poppy with his stupid fake photo grin and his "why the fuck are you doing this at a funeral?" thumbs up.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)malaise
(269,257 posts)so that he could have been the center of attention
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)malaise
(269,257 posts)The looks on their faces spoke volumes - he's an uncouth low life piece of shit.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2017/may/25/trump-appears-to-push-aside-montenegro-pm-at-nato-photocall-video
malaise
(269,257 posts)He has no fucking manners whatsoever.
rpannier
(24,350 posts)Likely would have made the whole pic about him (il douche)
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Dennis Donovan
(18,770 posts)Did you know that the last President who had no living predecessors was Nixon, after January 1973?
3catwoman3
(24,092 posts)...all former presidents, having completed their terms of service.
Nixon was an ex-president, having resigned/quit before his second term was completed. Palin is an ex-governor.
Let us hope we can soon refer to Cadet Bone Spurs as an ex-"can't-bring-myself-to use-the-word-when-referring-to-him."
Algernon Moncrieff
(5,795 posts)...since Jefferson/Madison/Monroe
Bengus81
(6,936 posts)Thankfully Cheeto was not there to ruin it.
Here's a line about the Carters,too bad would have loved to see one or both in that pic!:
President and Mrs. Carter regret that they are unable to attend, the Carter Center in Atlanta said in a statement Thursday morning. President Carter will be on a private trip overseas, and although she is recovering, Mrs. Carter is not yet able to travel following her recent intestinal surgery.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(115,947 posts)and had a shit-eating grin on his face. He also would have insisted on being in the middle of the photo.
Blue_Adept
(6,402 posts)jrthin
(4,841 posts)Bengus81
(6,936 posts)So give her a moment. Now....file for DIVORCE on Monday!!
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Maybe Michelle gave her the number of a good lawyer - since the people Melania hangs around don't know any.
spooky3
(34,518 posts)Just kidding.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Wakanda FOREVER!
spooky3
(34,518 posts)DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Well, Michelle, Barack, Bill and Hillary are all lawyers...
jrthin
(4,841 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)I wonder if Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama wore something more comfortable?
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)Compared to the way some sisters dress at funerals, Melania looks business casual...
raven mad
(4,940 posts)the funeral of a good friend's father, a wonderful man, held at the 16th Street Baptist Church. Yes, the famous church in Birmingham.
I have never seen a good life better celebrated; the women's choir had the whole church rocking. I wish now I'd had my camera, because the women's hats were nothing short of amazing.
Good memories!
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)mnhtnbb
(31,412 posts)in social situations. I'm not talking about going to Walmart.
The most recent example of that I saw was a week ago at a Rhiannon Giddens concert at Memorial Hall in downtown Raleigh.
I arrived (walked from my downtown apartment) a little early. Sat in the lobby with a drink and watched concert goers arrive. Was
surprised to see it was mostly a white, older audience, and not well dressed. Most of the people looked like they were going to a
sports event. But there was a group of older--60ish?--black women who were beautifully dressed. All of them were in dressy slacks with
gorgeous jackets.
I posted about Rhiannon Giddens here. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181069878
She is a native of North Carolina. Absolutely amazing artist. She said, from the stage, that she
considers her mission in life to be bringing a voice to those who were slaves (in the US) or still are in places all over the world.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)even though they didn't have a lot of money, their clothes were always well made (Grandma made many of them herself) and absolutely spotless. She was adamant about this because she knew that many white people thought black people were dirty and slovenly and she was gonna be damned if anyone could say that about HER children. It instilled in my mother a real attention to style and to this day, she wouldn't think of going outside with her hair unkempt, anything wrinkled, without lipstick or raggedy shoes - she always looks like she's going to a fancy event, even if she's just going to the store in a pair of jeans.
I think that is very common for black women, especially black women of a certain age. White folk can get away with going around looking like slobs - people think they're just being comfortable. But if we have a hair out of place or our clothes aren't neat, our morals and intelligence are likely to be judged
malaise
(269,257 posts)and while we can't see Hillary's feet, she never wears them
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,490 posts)Motley13
(3,867 posts)I didn't even see your post when I posted said link
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)45 would have to go to the funeral, and we know how obnoxious he would be.
Martin Eden
(12,882 posts)GHW Bush has a very legitimate excuse.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)No one wanted her jerk of a husband there.
I wonder if Trump has ever actually sat through an entire funeral of someone not in his immediate family. I can't imagine him sitting still and quiet for that long while people are talking about someone other than him.
That's not a joke. I mean it.
MLAA
(17,360 posts)Martin Eden
(12,882 posts)I have no doubt the orange abomination was not welcome.
Enoki33
(1,589 posts)PatSeg
(47,711 posts)Trump looks like a restless three year old. If he's not the center of attention, he is miserable.
EffieBlack
(14,249 posts)I can imagine him twisting and squirming, looking around, fiddling with the program, talking to the person next to him, etc. And when he does manage to sit still for a moment, it would only be because he grips himself across the chest the way he does when it looks like he's trying to keep from exploding.
And he kind of rocks or sways. It is so hard to be still when his mouth isn't moving.
Gothmog
(145,800 posts)DFW
(54,480 posts)Last edited Tue Apr 24, 2018, 01:05 AM - Edit history (1)
Three that were elected and served, one who was not elected but took office anyway, and one who was elected but did not get to hold the office to which she was elected.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
Hekate
(90,978 posts)May yet turn out to be a very important picture
Eliot Rosewater
(31,131 posts)Hillary looks great there as well but there is just something about that man Obama.
wow
oswaldactedalone
(3,491 posts)gets younger looking as she gets older. How does that work? Great photo.
Hugin
(33,222 posts)Not as much about the passing of Mrs. Bush, but, about things gone by and what could've been.
:sigh:
What could've been.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)We expected Melania to wear her usual stilettos, but what's of note to me is that Michelle still appears to be just ever so slightly taller than Melania, and Michelle doesn't appear to be wearing heels that are extremely high. They're both 5'11", as far as I've heard.
As far as wearing stilettos to a funeral, I think it's actually proper to try to blend in in a situation like this. This isn't a setting where one should be standing out because of her/his attire. JMO
Stallion
(6,476 posts)what was she thinking?
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Hekate
(90,978 posts)IluvPitties
(3,181 posts)ehrnst
(32,640 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Rosalyn wasnt recovering from surgery and Jimmy didt have a precious obligation. Ina way thats too bad because this photo is one for the history books. One that could be included in all the Presidential libraries.
SummerSnow
(12,608 posts)She is going to feel his wrath.
FakeNoose
(32,854 posts)Something Cheeto knows nothing about.
FakeNoose
(32,854 posts)As much as I hated W as President, he's definitely a classy guy and several cuts above what we have in the White House now.
llmart
(15,565 posts)Let's not forget his giving Angela Merkel a backrub and that ridiculousness at Dump's inauguration with the plastic over his head.
SpankMe
(2,972 posts)I only wish the Carters were there. That would have really been a cool pic.
joanbarnes
(1,723 posts)dflprincess
(28,091 posts)there is time for her to get her hands on it.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,178 posts)Can you imagine? His blustering air of self-importance, and camera hogging. His penchant for blurting out the most inappropriate statements. Just the fact that he has insulted almost everyone there with horrible words would've made for a tense, pretend, situation, and it would have shown in the picture.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)He'd push his way to the front and pose giving the two thumbs up sign.
LAS14
(13,790 posts)Rorey
(8,445 posts)I can only imagine the disparaging remarks they'd make about the Clintons and Obamas being there at all.
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)I was not particularly a B.Bush fan. She seemed quite the 'battle axe' if you ask me. I wouldn't want to cross her bad side. NO. Just the same, I'm sure she was loved by her family and friends.
dameatball
(7,402 posts)trickyguy
(769 posts)There are four former U.S. Presidents here.
There are three former First Ladies here.
There is one current First Lady here.
So who's missing?
No big deal.
DesertRat
(27,995 posts)First Lady Rosalyn is recuperating from surgery.
trickyguy
(769 posts)But to me it was pretty obvious who the missing person is.
Just think who would rather be at the golf course.
I'm glad the POTUS didn't show. He would have ruined this picture for me.
onecent
(6,096 posts)VERY NICE PHOTO WITHOUT THE president of the US..
YEAHHHHH
coeur_de_lion
(3,687 posts)DesertRat
(27,995 posts)What must life be like for him in that toxic environment?
coeur_de_lion
(3,687 posts)Too late for the older kids, they are ruined already.
I hope she divorces Fredo and gets that boy some therapy.