Former New York City mayor Ed Koch writes a candid and often delightful regular column that he e-mails out and that is picked up by newspapers all over. Sometimes his choice of topics is a bit quirky. One of his most recent columns, a series of short takes on a number of important issues, concludes with a short take on short shorts, specifically those worn by the first lady.

Koch writes:

This is not a gossip column, so forgive me for mentioning that Michelle Obama, who is not only intellectually brilliant, has become a true fashion trendsetter. First, bare arms and now, short shorts. So far as I can recall, no First Lady in our history has dared the shorts. Jackie Kennedy Onassis did the bare arms. Three cheers for Michelle Obama.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount