That black and red dress was a very bad choice for a predictably dark background. (The planners surely knew.) The black disappeared, and she was just two red splotches with a face floating above. Figure had nothing to do with it. Erogenous zone emphasis had nothing to do with it. Race had nothing to do with it. It would have made anyone look ridiculous.

I was in a group of about 20 when Barrack was interviewed on 60 minutes, and her dress got a re-play. One guy promptly asked the group, "How many of you women like that dress?" He got no takers.

The all-red dress, a bit later on the same show, showed her figure for what it is. Nice, I agree. But, not in that dress, anywhere where the background may be black. Give it to charity, Michelle!

What a piece of crap. I lost a lot of respect for this site.

An unexpected low for Salon. I cannot believe Joan Walsh approved this.

Mrs. Obama's badonk, adonk or not, is not a suitable topic for discussion. That the writer is pleased to find a first lady she can relate to, however superficially, is fine and dandy. Good for her. But the silly and frankly stupid stereotype of the large African-American behind as the jumping off point (great imagery there) for an article about that presumed empathy is not worthy of publication here.

I don't care how many women, whatever race, can relate. They can discuss it over coffee or maybe, maybe, on 'The View'. The fact that I am an anglo male does not make my opinion on this subject moot. What is next? As many have suggested here, an article by Christopher Hitchens on the subject of large genitals, a condition which he presumes to share with the president elect? The cultural impact of Laura Bush's nipples does seem to have gone uncommented upon- maybe we can dig up an old Molly Ivins piece on the topic.

I understand that this was supposed to be a jolly and irreverent comment on the new and sort of astonishing political landscape we happily find ourselves in today. But it comes off as puerile in the extreme. King Kaufman must have shot milk out of his nose when he saw this.

nt

in regards to the newest First Lady's posterior, I'll say it again:

SO FUCKING WHAT?

first it was whether or not she likes or hates or defers to her husband on the topic of football, then her mother (HIS mother in law.

and now her lets fixate on her ass. creepy.

How crass. Erin Aubry Kaplan you should be ashamed of yourself. She's not your sorority sister or some chic you used to run with in high school. Michelle Obama is the mother of two YOUNG girls and the first lady of The United States of America. Just becuase you can't or won't take the street out of how you express yourself doesn't mean it is appropriate for you to address and talk about everyone else so casually. Grow up!

Apparently, Erin Aubry Kaplan published two previous articles on butts; this is the third. Each one discussed in great detail - her own butt. Apparently, in the LA Weekly (?) story, there were photos of Erin's butt.

People are mostly outraged that Joan Walsh enabled Kaplan's narciss-ism to masquerade as journal-ism.

I feel worst for the black women, most of whom have commented here that the article was deeply offensive, although I think a couple thought it was worthy.

My sweetheart, who is black, relayed this story: A bunch of guys in his office were trying to decide where to go to lunch. They turned to my sweetheart and said: "Hey, Don, we figured you'd be the one in the office who'd know of the best fried chicken place."

People like Erin Aubry Kaplan indirectly encourage this level of discourse.

Btw, even though my sweetheart is black, he had no idea where the best fried chicken place could be found. Go figure.

You people are such lightweights. Because of this kind drivel I am now no longer a Salon reader. Good luck! (not)

an article about the first booty?

Let's please get off the subject of this or any other woman's freakin' physical appearance and focus on who they are as PEOPLE. "...her booty...", this is how you identify with her? What about her intelligence? You are stereotyping both women and blacks; what does that accomplish?

Michelle Obama is gorgeous. I for one am sick of 'fashion' dictating what size butts or boobs or legs or whatever we 'should' have. We are all gorgeous. Maya Angelou has a poem about this "Phenomenal Woman" (http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/insp/maya.htm has a copy) that I keep posted by my computer. This article celebrates the fact that we can celebrate beauty in all different shapes, sizes, colors and now we have a prominent woman who helps some of us feel more confident about this.

with the posters commenting on the peopleization of salon...there is enough tripe out there already, how about some meat?

This piece of crap Salon has posted as a legitimate article of importance has only reinforced my disgust of this past election.

It's okay for a black woman to discuss the backside of the First Lady elect because .... why? Because she's black and has a large ass?

Disgusting. Degrading. Despicable. Demeaning.

Of all the things written about Michelle Obama this has to be the ugliest.

For Salon to consider it appropriate establishes Salon as the least qualified internet news source.

Perhaps it's time for Salon to get out of the "politics" business. Stick to T & A articles of those who use those "assets" on purpose.

I'll be spending my valuable time reading the Huffington Post from now on. Salon is too sleazy for me.

Not much I disagree with in Erin Aubry Kaplan's article. Michelle Obama seems to be a great woman. But is ANYONE's butt really worthy of being Salon's lead article, even on a slow news day?