Wow | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: Jim Bispo's weekly column appears in the Beaufort Observer.

    Talk about decorum (or lack of thereof). The anointed One goes half way around the world to (presumably) represent our country in paying last respects to Nelson Mandela. At the service, he acts like a high school kid with ADHD (or something else that seems to afflict a lot of high school kids of the male persuasion). He apparently finds himself seated next to his old friend, the attractive Prime Minister of Denmark, Helle Thorning-Schmidt. They seem to "hit it off" and are seen taking a "selfie". Click here to see for yourself. It isn't clear whether Michelle was so intent on the proceedings that she didn't notice what was going on next to her or she was doing a slow (or fast) burn. I vote for the latter.

    Oh yes, David Cameron is also in the picture. Funny apparently neither of them went after a the likes of Angelea Merkel for a "selfie". Of course the reason for forsaking Merkel may have been a result of something the Anointed One picked up from one of her private cell phone conversations. Hmmm... Click here to see the NY Daily News photos for a hint as to why Thorning-Schmidt may have been the choice. Reportedly, Cameron has suggested that the "selfie" be sold at auction with the proceeds being contributed to charity - a smart move for a married guy. That seemed like a move worthy of Slick Willie. Hmmm...

    After looking at the pictures of Michelle reacting to the rather childish behavior being exhibited by the Anointed One and seeing what looked like rather extreme displeasure, only two things come to mind. He either has a really forgiving wife or it is time for him to call Bill Clinton for advice...

    Of course in the Clinton case, it may not be so much a "forgiving wife" as a spouse with not very well hidden aspirations. Surely being FLOTUS wasn't enough. POTUS seems more likely to be the ultimate goal. An ugly (and surely quite public) separation or divorce would undoubtably create a lot of otherwise unnecessary "baggage" for a presidential candidate. It isn't clear that Michelle has any such ambitions. Of course that could all change when (and it can't come too soon for a lot of people) she will no longer be able to live in government housing and will have to start paying for her own vacations.

    But I digress...

    I'm not sure if it is a lack of decorum or a lack of "couth"(maybe both) but we frequently see photographs of the Anointed One with his foot on a table or desk. In some of these he is seated, leaning back in his chair with his feet on the desk (like a lot of unknowing people think real executives are wont to do). That pose would seem to fall into the category of "demeanor". In other photos I have seen, he is standing, with a phone to his ear and his foot on the edge of a table or desk. That pose would sem to fall into the category of "couth" (or lack thereof).

    The furniture he seems to be showing such little regard for is not his. It is the property of the American people. If it was his, he is entitled to treat it with as little regard as he likes. But it isn't his. It is ours. It seems unlikely that ever occurred to the Anointed One. Simply one more example of his disregard for America and the American taxpayers. We can only wonder where he learned that behavior. Could it have been in Indonesia where he spent many of his early years, or in his Chicago association with Bill Ayres, Tony Rezko, or Jeremiah Wright - or someone else??

    It is little wonder that the "White House" (whoever that is) has quit allowing media reporters and photographers into a lot of events, choosing instead, to provide "official white house pictures. So much for any less than flattering photographs. This from the most transparent administration ever. Well, I suppose to be fair it must be admitted that they are pretty transparent. It is clear why they quit allowing the media to take their own pictures. It is clear why they claimed Benghazi was a spontaneous event. It is clear why the Anointed One's spear carriers tried to "qualify" his "You can keep your health insurance" line. Yeah, they are transparent alright...

    By the way, speaking of pictures, does anyone remember the pictures of our erstwhile Secretary of State's "girls night out" which was documented (clearly not by an official photographer) during a 2012 trip to Columbia. More class and decorum. Click here to see the Time News Feed article and photos.

    Back to the Anointed One. Cool is cool, but it is no substitute for decorum and couth. I believe that there are a lot of us who would like to see a whole lot less "cool" and a whole lot more decorum and couth from people who are representing our country - whether at home or abroad. Maybe after the 2016 elections.(he said, hopefully)...

    D'ya think??