General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If Michelle Obama was giving an impassioned speech in support of GLBT rights [View all]MrScorpio
(73,631 posts)Gauging from her reaction of offering Sturtz the mic and stepping aside to let her address the audience, I seriously doubt that what she was did such a thing as a negative response to the cause of GLBT rights.
I've listened to that interaction and looked at the vid and from what I gather, Mrs. Obama was in the midst of giving a highly emotional speech when some person interrupted her. I seriously doubt that she even processed fully the message that Sturtz was trying to convey. With all of the shouting going on in a place, with such a large crowd, to a person who was in the midst of making a crucial point in her presentation.
Thus Mrs. Obama's reaction was visceral, as that she felt that crowd should decide whose time, hers or an individual interrupter's was more important at that point. Not as a more deliberate dismissal against an activist's cause.
And to think about it, what was Ms. Sturtz's point when she interrupted? Except for herself, I seriously doubt that anyone knew, considering the ensuing chaos and bad acoustics of an individual shouting without a mic. At least Sturtz's was offered one.
But later on, after all of that commotion, we find out that Ms. Sturtz's point was that she wanted the President sign an executive order to end workplace discrimination against GLBT Federal employees and those engaged in government contracts. Something which I'm sure that Mr. and Mrs. Obama always talks about during their dinner conversations.
Now, really... The First Lady was talking about the plight of inner city kids when Ms. Sturtz popped up to shout about something completely different. As if Michelle Obama had either the time or the authority to fix Ellen Sturtz's concern.
The audience wasn't there to listen to Sturtz, their minds were focused on the First Lady and those kids.
It's clear that Ms. Sturtz chose the wrong target and wrong time to be interruptive. The crowd itself reacted thusly after all by showing Ms. Sturtz the door and by sending Mrs Obama back to the podium to finish her speech. How did it help her cause? Or is it that workplace discrimination is an issue that should take precedence over any other issue that the First Lady is talking about at any particular time?
Sorry kids, but while the Powers That Be are trying to look out for you, we have take time away from you to discuss Federal workers and workplace discrimination.
Better luck next time.