A scientific poll just released by the Pew Research Center shows that Michelle Obama gets a thumbs up by 71% of Americans.  That’s 7 points higher than Laura Bush had early in GW’s first year and 11 points higher than Hillary in Bill’s first year. 

Beyond the first wives club, Michelle also gets higher favorability ratings than Barack by 6 points.  But then, he’s had a tough time lately and has seen his approval rating drop from 79% in January ‘09 to 65% in the latest poll.

Michelle has planted a garden, demonstrated the hula hoop and pushed for fitness among chubby kids.  Beyond that, she’s pretty much stayed out of the limelight.  Maybe that’s the secret to success or maybe it’s an expectation that our first ladies do charity work and leave it at that, not that that’s a bad thing.  But it should probably be something more.

Got any advice for our first lady?

Maybe most Minions weren’t surprised, but the White House was.  Now Brown, who calls himself an “Independent Republican,” has single handedly busted the 60-seat super majority in the Senate and pushed health care reform back to square one.  He defeated state Attorney General Martha Coakley (D) 52% to 47% in a state where Democrats outweigh Republicans by three to one, and where Ted Kennedy held the seat for decades.  Who would have thunk it?

By all accounts Coakley was a train wreck who took her campaign for granted, forgetting there was one.  But Obama takes some of the blame saying “we lost some of that sense of speaking directly to the American people about what their core values are and why we have to make sure those institutions are matching up with those values.  I think the assumption was if I just focus on policy, if I just focus on this provision or that law or if we’re making a good rational decision here, then people will get it.”

People will get it?  Get this Obama.  People want a healthy economy with good jobs.  That’s job #1.  Add safety from crackpot terrorists and then worry about health care.  And if you can’t do all three at once, then start with jobs, Jobs, JOBS.  Got it?

What say you?

Some people say that something good comes out of every tragedy if you look hard enough.  And even though times are tough here for many, contributions to Haiti have been huge and are running well over $125 million so far.

So our economy isn’t great and everyone knows someone who could use a leg up.  But we’re not Haiti.  And we’re generous.  That’s a good thing.

Safe to say that the vast majority of Minions would do the right thing.  Even so, there’s probably a limit for most.  Change for a $20 is one thing.  Change for $100 is another.  

What’s your tipping point?

What’s more, 80% of Minions say life is too short.  So despite a few bumps in the road now and then, Minions are in pretty good spirits.

So what the heck.  Throw the dice, take a chance and enjoy the day.  Chances are, you’ll get a do-over tomorrow if today doesn’t turn out quite the way you want. 

The following pic serves no purpose whatsoever other than to put a smile on your face.  Enjoy.

(Actually we really didn’t win the lottery but we are working on the site).  Questions will temporarily wrap up this Friday, 1/29, and resume shortly.

We’ll keep you posted if we have your email address and if you don’t, then shame on you.  Sign up for updates HERE.

Thanks for your support and have a great Minion week!

Stat of the Week:  News about late night comics isn’t real news, say 100% of Minions.  So hey, Leno and Conan, just get on with cracking jokes that make people laugh.  That’s what you get paid for ($16+ million for Leno and Conan gets $30 million to walk away).  Oh yeah, they’ve got plenty to bitch about.

Last week the TV evangelist, Pat Robertson, blamed the earthquake with a pact the Haitians made with the Devil.  Here’s what the Reverend had to say in an interview on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s “700 Club.”

“Something happened a long time ago in Haiti and people might not want to talk about it.  They were under the heel of the French, uh, you know, Napoleon the 3rd or whatever, and they got together and swore a pact to the Devil.

“They said, ‘We will serve you if you’ll get us free from the French.’

“And so the Devil said, Okay, it’s a deal.  And they kicked the French out and got themselves free.  But ever since they have been cursed by one thing or another.  That island of Hispaniola is one island.  It’s cut down the middle.  On the one side is Haiti and on the other side is the Dominican Republic.

“Dominican Republic is prosperous, healthy, full of resorts, etc.  Haiti is desperate poverty.  Same island.”

Robertson’s tale comes from a legend that Jean Jacques Dessalines, who led the Haitian revolution against the French Army, entered into a pact with Satan in exchange for a military victory, which finally happened in 1803. 

Whatever your religious beliefs, Robertson’s take won’t help those poor people.  Money will.  Send $10 if you can.  The Red Cross is a safe charity and it’s easy to donate however much you can on their website by clicking HERE.

Former Major League Baseball star Mark McGwire now admits he did in fact use steroids when he was a player, breaking the single-season home run record for the St. Louis Cardinals.  For years he denied using steroids.  He was also denied the Hall of Fame.  Now he’s admitted using the drug.

Cynics say it’s just a ploy to get more votes for the Hall of Fame since he’s owned up to the mistake.  Supporters say he’s doing it because it’s the right thing to do. 

So maybe he will get int he Hall of Fame some day, but either way, he’s already in the Hall of Shame. 

It would be nice to see a few sports stars come up the ranks that can get there without scandal along the way.  Just one even.  Maybe Michael Oher of the Baltimore Ravens.  Any others?