Oh no, just two days in and I'm wrong already

On January 1st I gave you - free of charge, on the house, nothing to pay! - my 'Hypocrite of the Year', the despicable Rahm Emanuel who agitates constantly to stop his fellow citizens from having guns to protect themselves whilst putting up signs outside his residence warning the public that he has armed guards.  Yeeeeees, quite!

That, I thought, would take the biscuit for the rest of the year but already another candidate has zipped past, in fact a pair of them.  I give you, ladies and gentlemen, the Obamas, those paragons of protection and help for the poor and the needy.  A couple who will tell you, endlessly, of their deep and abiding concern for those who are homeless, out of work and on the bread line.  So, on the first night of the New Year this deeply charitable couple went out for a simple supper, well, after exuding all that concern and good feelings toward the poor they deserved a break.  Where did they go? Well, Daniel Halper at The Standard tells us: 

President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, spent the first night of the new year at Vintage Cave, an upscale restaurant in Hawaii. 

"At Vintage Cave Honolulu, one can enjoy exceptional food and wine at the hands of gifted masters of the culinary arts. ‘Chef’s recommendation’ commands a gravitas guaranteed to satisfy the most discerning palate. Seasoned sommelier’s conduct the process of pairing wine and food with true finesse and style. Secure in the natural embrace of the cave-like environment, guests are encouraged to relax, ‘hit reset’ and escape the ordinary," Vintage Cave's description reads on its website. 

As Time's Zeke Miller pointed out, membership at the restaurant can set you back $500,000. 

The half million dollars is to become a "Charter Member." A cheaper membership option the restaurant offers is "Special Member," which costs only $50,000. 

The restaurant's prix fixe menu is reportedly $295, with a 13-15 course meal. One local magazine estimates "total bill for two, with wine, will approach $1,000."

Well, let's not be unkind, perhaps Michelle arranged for the chef to run up one of those ghastly school meals she's foisted on America'w unsuspecting kiddie-winkies.  On the other hand, perhaps not!  Anyway, I'm sure this charitable couple went home and kneeling on either side of their bed they recited the words on the Statue of Liberty: 

Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:

I lift my lamp beside the golden door - and tell 'em to get lost, buddy!”

 

Thanks to IHTM

 

Comments

[Philo Vaihinger]

I am such a peasant I have no idea what could make up a 15 course meal.

Anyway, FDR was rich, too.

You don't have to be working class or live like the working class to favor policies better for the working class, or anyway less bad, than the other guy.

Happy NY, by the way.

[Whitewall]

15 course meal? His and hers combined with seconds being served on several items? A "doggy bag" to count as a course too maybe?

[Hank]

David

President Obama grew up in an upper middle class (or maybe lower upper class) family and has never done anything to to betray his roots except for making PR statements for consumption by the gullible.

This sort of dining out is not hypocrisy, his allegations to be concerned about the poor are rank hypocrisy.

[David Duff]

I am suitably admonished, Philo, because indeed you are right, being rich does not preclude benevolent feelings towards the poor. But when it comes to politicians I just wish they would do it on their own dollar and not mine!

And good wishes to you and yours for the New Year.

I have never managed a 15-course meal but I have, on rare occasions, tried what they call 'over here' a 'taster menu' of anywhere between seven to nine courses. Of course, the portions are very small but if the chef is good they are exquisite. Also, it forces me to try new tastes and if I hit one I really do not like it doesn't matter too much if I leave it.

[David Duff]

Hank - 'wersyabin'? I was beginning to worry about you. All the best for the New Year.