Top Tweets: 'I'm Walking Here!' Edition

Caitlin Dickson 76 Views Jan 20, 2011

Is Michelle Obama trying to kill us with her "Get Moving" campaign? Probably not, but The Daily Caller published a later-retracted quote from a representative of the Governor's Highway Safety Association suggesting that the First Lady's initiative to promote exercise may be contributing to the number of pedestrian deaths. Here's the quote:

One is the possible increase in distracted pedestrians and distracted drivers. We’ve been focusing on the drivers, but perhaps we need to focus some attention on distracted walkers! Additionally, Mrs. Obama and others have been bringing attention to “get moving” programs, so perhaps pedestrian exposure has increased.

Top tweeters caught onto this one quickly and proceeded to mock the assertion even after the Daily Caller updated with a clarification that the GHSA had not intended to blame Obama for putting pedestrians in danger.

Daily Beast correspondent Benjy Sarlin was grateful for an excuse to abandon his work-out plans.

Was going to go to the gym today, but scared I might get hit by a car on the way. Thanks for the warning, Daily Caller! http://bit.ly/h7sBvsless than a minute ago via TweetDeckBenjy_Sarlin
Benjy_Sarlin

@Atrios offered a more practical explanation for the cause of pedestrian deaths.

most pedestrian deaths are caused by people slipping on banana peelsless than a minute ago via TweetDeckAtrios
Atrios

Mother Jones played off the well-known pro-gun slogan.

Michelle Obama doesn't kill people. Cars kill people: http://mojo.ly/hlrbQQless than a minute ago via TweetDeckMother Jones
MotherJones

But Mother Jones' Timothy Murphy isn't sure the claim is totally preposterous.

MORE STUDY NEEDED RT @NickBaumann: Michelle Obama doesn't kill people. Cars kill people: http://mojo.ly/hlrbQQless than a minute ago via TweetDeckTim Murphy
timothypmurphy

Daily Kos Editor David Waldman is ready with a solution to this problem.

And that's why I'm introducing the Repealing the Pedestrian-Killing Auto-Maker's Bailout bill...less than a minute ago via webDavid Waldman
KagroX

Roger Ebert refuses to believe the accusations.

Michelle Obama is killing pedestrians? These people. Give me a F-ing break. http://bit.ly/ijPLVgless than a minute ago via SocialOomphRoger Ebert
ebertchicago

But Tommy Salami makes sure Ebert understands just how dangerous weight loss can be.

.@ebertchicago "Skinny people are harder to see, and cause less damage to vehicles," reports prove. "Her anti obesity campaign is reckless."less than a minute ago via TweetDeckTommy Salami
tommysalami

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Caitlin Dickson

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