Michelle Obama, Iran, the Oscars and religious hypocrisy

As we mock Iran, and we should, for digitally doctoring photos of the first lady’s Oscar appearance, let us not forget our own nonessential censorship—especially, one could argue, when we do basically the same thing in the name of spiritual or religious purity.

In 2002 then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, who the AP describes as “deeply religious,” had drapes installed—at the tax-payer expense of $8,000—to cover “two scantily clad statues” (one of which was the Spirit of Justice, pictured above) so he could speak in the Library of Congress’ Great Hall “without fear of a breast showing up behind him in television or newspaper pictures.”

Now I’m off to HuffPo’s side boob section to see how they covered ; ) this story.

@r_emmet: Ang Lee eating In-N-Out Burger, holding Oscar. (via @RayaMartin - imgur)

Jennifer Lawrence meeting Jack Nicholson for the first time.

First Lady Michelle Obama announces the Best Picture Oscar to Argo live from the Diplomatic Room of the White House, Feb. 24, 2013.

(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

via @DiannaMcD

@sepinwall

@billmaher

“This is the only thing I can think of when that wrap it up music comes on.” - @JessicaValenti

@peeweeherman