White House 'Jacket-Gate' And Other Heartstoppers

Of all the silly stories generated as a way to chip away at the popularity of President Barack Obama, the silliest has to be what, in keeping with the silly theme, might be termed "Jacket-Gate." The supposed controversy, as reported here by Matt Lewis (a guy whose writing i genuinely admire), is that Obama has disrespected the office of the presidency by sitting in the oval office without a suit coat. Here's how Matt put it:

It was actually Ronald Reagan who first instituted the rule as a sign of respect, though George W. Bush adamantly insisted on continuing the tradition.

Yesterday, former White House Chief of Staff, Andy Card felt the need to chastise Obama further for what he saw as the new president's disrespectful attitude:

"I do expect him to send the message that people who are going to be in the Oval Office should treat the office with respect that it has earned over history."

Well, today, The Huffington Post is running a rogues gallery of those men who have likewise disrespected all that is White House sacred. They include, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and, here's the real payoff, George W. Bush.

Seriously, Mr. Card, get off your high horse already. It's a stupid issue to begin with, even before the blatantly hypocritical part. Rome is burning, and you're talking about make believe suit coat dress-codes? Next!