Should they be thrown in prison? Applauded for having revealed a serious security breach at the White House? Or invited onto television? By appearing at the White House on Tuesday night, at the state dinner honoring the Indian Prime Minister, Michaele and Tareq Salahi more than accomplished their goal: three days later, America, if not the entire world, is still discussing their exploit.
On Michaele Salahi’s Facebook page, which was the first to reveal photos of the deception, the commentaries, and there were already 636 by Friday night, were mixed. From admirers were messages like “Great Job!” and “I love you for having the balls to do this! ;-)” Those that were indignant, meanwhile, left comments wishing the shameless couple well on their next trip…to Guantanamo prison.
The Salahis also pleased editorialists, such as Tunku Varadarajan, professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, who posted a piece on the website, The Daily Beast. Proud of his Indian origins and his British nationality, Tunku Varadarajan explained that Americans are “exhibitionists by nature…for many generations…perhaps as a reaction to the original Puritanism of the country.”
“In this vast land, where competition is fierce, the most sure way of attracting attention or to distinguish yourself from the crowd is…to attract attention and distinguish yourself from the crowd,” wrote Varadarajan. Like the parents of the balloon boy before them; another family so enamored with celebrity status that they pretended their five year old child had been blown off in a helium balloon, the uninvited guests at the White House were only “pursuing the American dream,” in their own way.
The worst thing is that we certainly haven’t finished talking about it. The White House has promised an internal investigation. Lawyers emphasize that the couple could be tried for the “crime” of having lied to Federal agents. And most importantly, it’s been advertised that on Monday night, the Salahis will be on Larry King Live on CNN.
Obama was sent a message: “we can get you anytime we want to”