Blustery winter weather is in full effect throughout the Northern Hemisphere, but U.S. Representative John Boehner appears to be immune to the torture of brisk, subzero temps. What shall we credit with Boehner’s fluorescent complexion? Self-tanner gone wrong? A tanning bed addiction? Vacations to remote islands of Oompa Loompas? What gives!?

As a Jersey girl, born and raised, who’s pale 365 days a year, I certainly know my bronzing rituals 1) pop Vitamin D supplements indoors or 2) slather on SPF 90 while hiding behind Nicole Richie-esque sunglasses. Seriously, Snooki would be so disappointed in me. In order to look like I’ve been outdoors, oh, once or twice, in my entire life, I’ve perfected a master ritual of strategic bronzing, gradual self-tanning, and Sun In hair lightening that I maintain throughout the seasons. Let’s just say that I can truly appreciate someone whose skincare presentation is more successful than mine.

When I see an obviously faux tan, my reaction is inevitably torn between “oh, gross!” (judgmental) and “hey, how can I get that healthy glow?” (jealous) depending on the convincing-ness of the glow. I mean, I’m not even a bronze goddess in the August heat, so I should be loving John Boehner’s ability to rock a tan in the January fog. Still, the Crayola orange edition of his tan is more distracting than it is reminiscent of island vacations past. As soon as he took the stage, I had to look down at my own pasty arms in shock to compare his sunset orange skin to mine.

Sure, it’s ridiculous to be focusing on a 63-year-old man’s tanning preferences, when there are actual political issues being discussed, and history being made at Obama’s Inauguration. But ridiculous just happens to be my style.

Plus, there are very real health concerns at stake here! For John’s sake, I really hope that his tanning ritual is of the lotion or bronzer variety, rather than of a horribly damaging tanning bed addiction. Hitting the tanning beds is terrible enough, but the amount of trips necessary to create that kind of orange faux glow would be absolutely alarming. A mismatched bronzer shade, the beauty department can fix. Temporary tanning faux pas can easily fade away and be fixed. But I sincerely hope that he’s taking his skin health seriously!

HollywoodLifers, how do YOU think John Boehner got his glow?

– Kristine Hope Kowalski

More Orange-Skinned Celebrities:

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2. Saturday Night Live’s Kristen Wiig Mocks ‘Tanorexic’ Mom Patricia Krentcil
3. Snooki Calls Too Tan Mom ‘Crazy’ For Taking Daughter Tanning

Ben’s rep tells HollywoodLife.com that Ben can’t decide whether it’s a ‘compliment’ or the ‘ultimate repudiation’ — but he thinks they chose the wrong film!

Ben Affleck is a bit confused … and so are we! The actor, who is currently in Turkey working on his upcoming film Argo, learned that House Republicans were using a scene from his 2010 film The Town to encourage members to “back” Speaker John Boehner‘s debt ceiling plan.

“I don’t know if this is a compliment or the ultimate repudiation,” Ben’s rep tells us on his behalf. “But if they’re going to be watching movies, I think The Company Men is more appropriate.”

Ben is referring to his other 2010 hit about a man who loses his job and has to struggle to support his family during the recession.

This is similar to when Tom Petty threatened legal action when Michele Bachmann used his 1977 hit “American Girl.”

Maybe the republican party should ask before “borrowing” these pieces of art for their political agenda?

— Chloe Melas

Get More Entertainment News Here:

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2. Can Kim Kardashian Be Cured Of Psoriasis? Experts Weigh In And Explain How Wedding Stress Could Make It Worse!
3. Kim Kardashian’s Old Navy Look-Alike Melissa Molinaro Disses Kim & Says Get A Life!

In a truly horrible story, Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is in critical condition after a gunman shot her at point blank range as she hosted an event in Tuscon, Ariz. NPR reports, “Giffords, who was re-elected to a third term in November, was hosting a “Congress on Your Corner” event at a Safeway in northwest Tucson when a gunman ran up and started shooting, according to Peter Michaels, news director of Arizona Public Media.”

Gabrielle had just been sworn in for her third term as a representative for the state and was hosting the event, as she often does, for “constituents to present their concerns directly to her.”

Gawker spoke to someone on the scene who said, “The event was very informal: Gifford had set up a table outside the Safeway and about 20-30 people were gathered to talk to her. The gunman, who may have come from inside the Safeway, walked up and shot Gifford in the head first, ‘point blank’.”

Of the shooter they say, “The gunman was young, mid-to-late 20s(he has now been identified as 22-year-old Jared Loughner), white, clean-shaven with short hair and wearing dark clothing and said nothing during the shooting or while being held down, although he struggled at first. He was ‘not particularly well-dressed’; he didn’t look like a businessman, but more of a ‘fringe character’.”

President Obama said in a statement, “This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. And while we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded. We do not yet have all the answers. What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society. I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers.”

Speaker of the House John Boehner issued the following statement, “I am horrified by the senseless attack on Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and members of her staff. An attack on one who serves is an attack on all who serve. Acts and threats of violence against public officials have no place in our society. Our prayers are with Congresswoman Giffords, her staff, all who were injured, and their families. This is a sad day for our country.”

Gabrielle is married to astronaut Mike Kelly and has two children.

It is unknown if there were political motivations behind the shooting at this time, Gabrielle was a Democrat who was on Sarah Palin’s “target list” for her support of the health care reform bill. Sarah’s Facebook page at the time carried an actual map of the USA with gun marks on the locations of the 20 politicans she was “targeting.”