FIRST LADY OF FITNESS

The Chicago Sun Times is killing me with their "US Magazine" inspired coverage of the Obamas:

No one disputes that Michelle Obama has earned the right to bare arms. They are perfectly toned. They aren't scary like Madonna's guns, or skinny like the Olsen twins' useless appendages.

"Michelle Obama's arms are attractive because they are toned enough for you to see the muscle distinction but not to the point that it takes away from her femininity," says Jennifer Smith, fitness and sports director at the High Ridge YMCA in Rogers Park. "This proves that women can do weight training exercises and reach their desired results without bulking up."

Some are going even further in their praise. On the Huffington Post, media maven Bonnie Fuller wrote that she sees them as nothing less than symbols of the audacity of hope. "Michelle's strong arms convey the message that if she can personally hug and lift us out of a lousy economy and a lack of top health care or education for everyone, she will," Fuller said.

Michelle Obama (left) has earned the right to bare her arms, which are perfectly toned. Jennifer Smith of the YMCA demonstrates one exercise to help build the perfect arms.

I don't think Michelle can hug us out of the economic crisis, but maybe she could use her big, smart brain instead? She's a lawyer, people, Harvard Law School.