White House Goes Green

It's St. Patrick's Day and White House fountains are flowing green for the first time, by order of the First Lady.

Michelle Obama came up with the idea for the festive touch, said spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld. She was inspired by the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in her hometown of Chicago, where the city marks the holiday by dyeing the river green. "It's a little piece of home for our new home," said Lelyveld, who is also from Chicago. Lelyveld said it's the first time the water in the White House fountains has been dyed. The green hue will stay until the dye runs outs.

Some party poopers are calling the green fountains "tacky" and undignified for the White House.