Laura Bush is breaking with protocol...

[lavenderdiva]

Admittedly, this story is from Cindy Adams at the New York Post:

January 10, 2005 --
LAURA Bush is breaking with proto col.

The First Lady of the Land isn't sure you know who she is. For the wife of the President of the United States of America, Leader of the Free World, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, just plain "Mrs. Bush" doesn't cut it. Just plain "Mrs. Bush" could be Barbara. The famous Silver Fox. Missus of elder Prez George Bush.

Initially, phoning from her East Wing office, staffers announced, "Mrs. Bush calling." The First Lady then got confused with her mother-in-law. Result? Now pay attention. Direct orders to the White House social office specify invitations be altered and henceforth state, "The President and Mrs. Laura Bush."


Kiddies, here's mother's American history:
John Adams, president No. 2. Wife Abigail's immortality mostly hangs on her hanging wash in the unfinished East Room, but I won't even mention that. Son John Quincy, president No. 6. Wife Catherine Louisa, too, was just plain known as just plain Mrs. Adams. Whether the world meant Catherine or famous washerwoman mother-in-law Abigail was their problem. William Henry Harrison, No. 9, was wed to Anna. Their grandkid, our 23rd president, was wed to Caroline. Unconcerned she'd be confused with hubby's grandma, Caroline's invites, documents, etc. bore just the name "Mrs. Harrison." And the kissing cousin Roosevelts, TR and FDR, our 26th and 32nd chiefs of state. Both from New York. Eleanor, still considered our most famous first lady, wasn't bothered by being simply "Mrs. Roosevelt," but then not even Franklin's diddling Lucy Mercer seemed to bother Eleanor.

Suits in D.C. are upset about this 229-year-old protocol breach. Both Bush White Houses invites always read, "The President and Mrs. Bush request the pleasure of your company," etc., etc. The latest invites say, "The President and Mrs. Laura Bush."

So Jeb's wife's future invitations, they'll probably say, "The President and — not Barbara, not Laura, but Columba — request the pleasure. . . . "

link: http://www.nypost.com/gossip/cindy.htm

[redqueen]

1. She's rather vain, isn't she?

[Warpy]

9. yeah, she wants her own name, how silly

I suppose if there had ever been a female president, that protocol would have been dumped years ago, as it should have been.

Back before and during the Victorian era, a woman's marriage signaled her legal death. She became Mrs. John Smith, not even entitled to let the world know who she had once been. She had no legal right to any of the benefits of citizenship, but she was able to be charged with crimes, so she had all the responsibilities. Should the marriage dissolve (at his request, not hers), she had no right to her own children, not even the right to visit them.

That's how bad it was when this silly protocol got established. It's high time somebody had the guts to buck it, even if it turns out to be poor Pickles.

[redqueen]

10. Thanks for the unnecessary history lesson.

I know very well what the world is like. If you think this is some great thing she's doing, good for you.

I think it's meaningless and stupid.

[Warpy]

16. If it were, all those suits wouldn't be worn over wadded shorts.

[redqueen]

21. Upsetting the uptight on matters of supreme unimportance

doesn't rank really high on my list of ways to make the world a better place. Sorry.

[MADem]

29. Her own name is Laura Welch, or something like that

And according to protocol, she is Mrs. George Bush. Mrs. Laura Bush means she is a divorcee. Maybe she is thinking ahead....

[SemperEadem]

23. the invitations need to read

George W and Laura Bush if she's so concerned about losing her identity as this late stage in the game.

She should have come in 5 years ago the same way Hillary Clinton did--with Hillary Rodham Clinton --people bitched and moaned, but that is how she was referenced.

Perhaps this is a bit of sarcasm. I doubt it's true.

I don't think anyone is so stupid as to believe that the Mrs. in the salutation of President and Mrs. George W. Bush are going to think that it's Barbara Bush.. and besides, her saluation is Mrs. George H.W. Bush, anyway.

[fob]

2. I can't wait for the inevitable mix up at the printers...

"The President and Mrs. Laura's Bush request the pleasure of your company,"

I bet it would...

[Maven]

3. West Wing Barbie now comes with Distinct Personality Playset!

Go *&^#%$ yourself, Cindy Adams.

[Nikepallas]

4. Maybe she should actually do something so that she is known.

This reminds me of a little cry baby. What's next the Mrs. "Two Term" Bush?

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

5. The famous Silver Fox, best known to movie-goers as "Leatherface."

Former First Lady Barbara "My brother makes real good head cheese" Bush.

[troubleinwinter]

13. ??? Why did you post a picture of George Washington??

:spank:

[TXDemGal]

14. Doesn't the Quaker Oats Man look stunning

in those pearls? }(

[saltpoint]

6. Very enjoyable post.

Especially appreciated the comments on the Adamses and Roosevelts.

[wtmusic]

7. I get confused between 41 & 43...how bout "The Dubya President and the

Laura Bush Request the Process of your Confusion at..."

[Kurovski]

8. Oh, the woes of being part of a vast political dynasty!

ever so troublesome.

The Bushes, by the way, very much dislike being called a "dynasty".

[cornermouse]

11. I hate to tell y'all this...Well, no I don't.

I don't care what Laura says, does, or calls herself. After watching her live 4 years in Non-entity-ville while occupying the White House, I just DO NOT CARE.

[DoYouEverWonder]

12. Darn I thought she was going to do something daring?

like wearing shoes that match actually match her dress.

[Warren DeMontague]

15. What's it say on her Driver's License?

...oh, never mind.

[no_hypocrisy]

17. Killer.

[Fla Dem]

18. Why not just say "The President and First Lady"?

They don't identify the president by name...so why the 1st Lady? That would seem to the right way to do it.

[Leilani]

28. Jackie Kennedy objected to being called "First Lady"

She said it sounded like a horse.

She sent out memos to everyone that she was to be called Mrs. Kennedy.

[Malva Zebrina]

19. I don't think that is even the accepted protocal

It is not. It should be, Mrs. George W. Bush, if that is what the problem is in identifying herself as separate and apart from the battleaxe.

Nevermind. She will accept whatever she is told to accept and will go on smiling and approving of the slaughter in Iraq that her husband has caused.

As if she knows any different.

NOT, Mrs. Laura Bush.!!! She ain't married to Laura but to George W.

What is the matter with her?

[kskiska]

22. You're right

and Emily Post would never approve of Mrs. Laura Bush, even if she's widowed. Why not go all the way and call herself Ms Laura Bush, which does not indicate marital status?

[SammyWinstonJack]

20. Nice to see that she has her priorities straight.

:puke:

[ComerPerro]

24. Seriously - Imagine if Hillary Clinton had done this

Imagine the "outrage" from the right...

[JerseygirlCT]

26. Oh yeah

It'd be the biggest scandal in decades...

I've kept my own name -- all of it -- and I still get grief from the strangest places -- receptionists in medical offices and the like. (As if it's any of their business?)

So while this is one teeny, tiny, whimpy step, it's a step in the right direction.

[Generator]

25. Who gives a rats ass what she calls herself

She has made NO redeeming contribution to this country. Obviously, she has had no impact on making her husband a worthwhile human either.

At least our old bete noir, Nancy Reagan was able to piss people off when she was first lady with her ridiculous "Just say no" campaigns and her china buying.

Laura is a zero. If she has done anything since she took the Pennslyvania Ave. space-I don't think I've heard about.

Talk about a waste of good real estate.

[DELUSIONAL]

27. She's still trailer trash -- white trash

with apologies to trailer dwellers.