Athletes Spark White House Flip-Flop Flap
 

Tue Jul 19, 9:27 AM ET

CHICAGO - There's a flip-flop controversy at the White House, and this one has nothing to do with President Bush and John Kerry.

A photo of Northwestern University's national championship women's lacrosse team, taken during the athletes' visit to the White House last week, shows four of the nine women in the front row wearing flip-flop sandals along with their dresses and skirts.

The choice of footwear has prompted a mini-controversy — a flip-flop flap, if you will.

A front-page story in the Chicago Tribune included the headline "YOU WORE FLIP-FLOPS TO THE WHITE HOUSE?!" inspired by an e-mail sent to player Kate Darmody from her older brother after he saw the photo on the team's Web site.

Family members of other players expressed similar dismay, insisting the summer footwear staple was too casual for a visit with the president.

"Don't even ask me about the flip-flops," said the mother of player Aly Josephs. "It mortified me."

During an appearance Monday on NBC's "Today," Darmody and teammate Shelby Chlopak said players planned to auction off the flip-flops they wore to the White House, with the proceeds to go toward a fund for a 10-year-old girl with a brain tumor.

The women have defended their attire, arguing they wore a dressier version of the casual sandal.

"Nobody was wearing old beach flip-flops," said Josephs, who wore a $16 brown pair with rhinestones.

Darmody, 22, added: "I tried to think of something that would go well with my outfit and at the same time not be that uncomfortable. But at the same time not disrespect the White House."

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Is this really newsworthy? Anyone else here think it's not that big of a deal if you meet the President wearing flip-flops... especially if they are, as the women in question contend, fashionable? As much as I disagree with many of the President's policies I would be respectful if I met him, however I believe he should be accessible to any citizen of our nation, regardless of wardrobe.

What do you think about all this?

Auctioning the shoes off was a damn good save :p

As was said in "Gone With the Wind,"

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a ... er ... darn." :D

welllll...it ain't scottish :p

then its CRAP!

lol :x:
i knew someone ;) would get that :D

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I figure it must'a been a slow newsday for this to be "news". Sheesh....next ya know they'll be reporting about people who've passed gass in the presence of the President. *gasp*

:grin:

i wore a pair of green light up flip flops to Stonehenge, and that was a special occation for me, lol

i think that certain flip flops can be nice to wear to special occations, but for formal occations, a formal shoe is the best choice

i agree with Lilith, the auction was a good save

my SIL wore flip flops to the wedding

I got it immediately. ;) :p

God knows I'm not the president's biggest fan, but I really doubt he would be offended by the site of someone's toes. He seems like a flip-flop, casual friday kinda guy ;).

I'm gonna look at this news story as a good thing...it's good the nation still has a sense of humour.

Flip flops to the White House? Why not? I'll bet Turd Blossom wears SNEAKERS.

Errr what are flip flops? :D Maybe the US version of thongs...hmmmmmmmmmm

lakritze,

Who is that?

I watched a high school graduation last summer replayed on local tv and was shocked at the number of young women that wore flip flops with their gowns. They are fun, flirty and sometimes comfortable, but I personally don't think they have a place in formal wear (when seen). I'm all for wedding flip flops and keds... but not to be shown while parading down the aisle....