At The White House Bullying Conference

Can you imagine anything remotely like this taking place during a Republican administration?

The Obamas Speak Out Against Bullying

In advance of an anti-bullying conference to be held at the White House tomorrow, the president and First Lady have posted the below message to the federal government's official Stop Bullying page on Facebook.

Gay Hero Daniel Hernandez To Attend State Of The Union With Michelle Obama

Openly gay Arizona shooting hero Daniel Hernandez and his father will be seated with the First Lady at Tuesday's State Of The Union address.

"I'm both honored and excited to have the opportunity to travel to our nation's Capitol for a once in a lifetime event. Also the chance to bring my father along for his first trip to Washington, D.C. The State of the Union is a pivotal moment because it is our opportunity to find where we are and where we will be going as a nation in this upcoming year," Hernandez said.

Tuesday is also Hernandez' 21st birthday. That's quite a present.

Michelle Obama Talks Bullying With Ellen

The First Lady appears on today's episode of Ellen, where the two discussed bullying.

Mrs. Obama said young people need to know that they shouldn't let the challenges they face in high school or college "eat them up." "All of these young people regardless of their race, their sexual orientation, they are gifts to us," she said. "They have so much to offer and it's just terrible to find out that kids are letting this part of their life define everything about who they are going to be." The first lady said she tells daughters Malia and Sasha that they have a responsibility to speak up when they see someone being bullied.

Today In Journalistic Racism

The Awl reports that Long Island's Smithtown Messenger has created a before-and-after photo essay to demonstrate how the stress of the presidency affects the faces of presidents and first ladies. The projected "after" photo of the Obamas is from Sanford & Son. Oh, but the paper has now issued an apology. So it's OK!