Personally, I don't see how that's an insult to Special Olympics. It's more like "I'm like these

people in this way; I don't bowl even close to 200."

It's utter BULLSHIT to be angry when someone is trying to tell you that s/he is not really "all that" and that s/he is really not very good at some things just like many people are not very good at some things.

But if you are right, then he has nothing to apologize for.

and to the public through his Press Secretary's office. It is over, except for the people desperate to make hay over everything Obama says. THis one isn't it. I am sure there will be more, but this one isn't it.

Obama has apologized and that part is over. But I think this is an excellent teaching opportunity to make the public more aware of how mentally challenged people can be hurt by being the butt of insensitive jokes. I think the President should take a lead in this and give a thougtful interview about what he has learned from this situation, after he has had some kind of interaction with some of these athletes. This can turn out to be a very big positive if handled correctly, and if it's not just swept under the carpet and ignored.

It was a comment meant to be self-deprecating, not derogatory towards the disabled, but it came out wrong. Speaking as a person with a minor disability, I don't consider it a big deal.

some people didn't think it was offensive but to many it was an obvious offense.

The difference thought, is that the whole world didn't have to get outraged for an apology to appear. The apology happened even before the show was aired. And Barack could have insisted the comment be pulled but instead left in there (the outtakes would have somehow made it out to the public).

And on the positive side - this will get people thinking about Special Olympics again and getting involved.

It was a bit offensive but Barack was a pro with dealing with it.

are using PC to beat on Obama over this statement.

Obama was suggesting he is not good at all things, BEING HUMBLE. His detractors have whined about his confidence in areas where he excels. Now they whine when he points out his failings...... They surely do have to make a stretch to avoid dealing with the facts that he is doing so much right. Hell, they have to stretch to avoid dealing with the fact that he is doing ANYTHING, unlike his doofus predecessor.

Recall, the detractors stretched to reach for 'too much on his plate' recently. Jeebus! they just fucking need something to complain about. If it is a remark likening his bowling skills with people how engage in Special Olympics, it shows more about the complainers than Obama.

I LIKED participating in the Special Olympics and am glad he gave them a bit of attention.

He was comparing Leno's praise of him to the praise given to Special Olympians no matter how well they do.

He shouldn't have said it ..... but he was NOT disparaging Special Olympians or their athletic skills, period.

who are whining actually watched the whole interview. They were *outraged!!1* before the thing even aired.

... we saw it.

I dont often cry foul on the press, but I think this is a case where the headline is stealing the story. There wasn't a single one of us last night who watched it live who was confused on the matter.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8274941

... but this morning the press is spinning it as that he was talking about the Olympians and not the huggers. Even if you WATCH the clip, if the talking head says to you, "The President made a remark about Special Olympians...." it's hard to hear otherwise.

Those of us who saw the entire thing perhaps had an opportunity to cleanse our mental palates with a very sound discussion on the economy before THAT remark came up. :)

One of my cousins has Down's Syndrome, and I love my cousin WAY more than I do the President. If I thought for one second that the President made an insensitive remark about the mentally disabled ..... intentioned or otherwise .... I wouldn't defend him.

And I highly doubt ANYONE hear would have either, that's what really gets me. One blurb was posted - I think Olbermann, who mentioned it - and that was it...Outrage Mode: ON.

I really think some people here get offended just because "everyone else" does it. I don't get why (some) DUers bash the MSM constantly (many times rightfully so), but then turn around and believe the first thing they hear from it - no questions asked!

But yes, I thought it was a terrific interview and everyone should watch the *whole* thing!

for what they are and do not believe a word they say or print.

There are some things that if public figures touch on in speeches or interviews they will get zapped because the news will mention it and the explanation is so long and complicated that they can't undo the original implication. Think Kerry and dumb soldiers.

He screwed up. That's all. He has an office on Disability Policy who I am sure will have his ear. The National Council on Disability meets soon and they will no doubt hear from People First. He'll hear about it from the grassroots even after his apology, because "gaffes" and language have been a great source of pain in the disability community.

It seems very random and some people are still very willing to disregard us through action and language. I have a developmental disability and I find myself in that position quite frequently.

It will blow over, but unfortunately Sarah Palin may bring it back to haunt him. Could be a backlash. (To that I can only say... Jindal '12!)

But on this I agree.

It was clear that Obama was comparing the praise of his 129 as the praise one gives a Special Olympian for trying their best and improving, no matter what the score.

Perhaps I do not understand why there is a controversy...is it that non-handicapped people cannot compare their physical shortcomings to a true handicap? Dunno. Maybe so.

.... and the pendulum doesn't swing back only half way. ;)

People take different positions and I respect those positions, even if I disagree. My position is only slightly different from yours, anyways....."contructively critical support", you can call it. I want him to succeed, and intend to back-seat drive from the left to try to steer him to success.

When it came to being over the top on Bush-bashing, I would not have noticed.....I was right with you. LOL.

He is NOT like the people in the special olympics.

He was marking himself as incompetent at bowling, someone to be (good naturedly) laughed at.

The people in the special olympics are not incompetent, they are people who are giving it their all and excelling/overcoming challenges in the face of disabilities and adversity.

It doesn't mean he needs to be defined by this moment and demonized, but I think it's fair game for people to strongly step forward and say this is not acceptable, it's offensive, and here's why.

People with disabilities shouldn't have to smile and politely accept being used as a public metaphor for screw-ups.

His comment was in response to Jay and the audience's reaction. I have a relative who has special needs and has participated in the Special Olympics. They all get awards and they get big cheers and applause regardless of how they finished.

I also think that it wasn't a good thing for him to say and was insensitive but I know it wasn't said maliciously.

I also don't think people in disadvantaged classes have an obligation to play nice and appease people in privileged classes when they say something disparaging - whether it's with or without intent.

The "he's articulate" comment was also likely without malicious intent, but it was still an offensive comment. People were right to make their voices heard and explain WHY it was offensive. I didn't want to hear apologists for that, and I'm not so interested in hearing apologists for this - I'd rather you had stuck with "it was offensive, he realizes now why it was offensive, has apologized, and is trying to make amends" without the need to convince others that it wasn't insulting.

This is how I felt and what I said was not an attempt to say it wasn't insulting. I wish you folks would learn how to read. Damn!!

What I wrote was an explanation of what he was responding to. He was responding to the over the top cheering for his 129 score. I said it was wrong.

That's who wrote "I don't see how that's an insult to Special Olympic." You're right - that wasn't in your post at all. I need to pay more attention to usernames when I respond. (I SHOULD learn how to read!)

and the media do not have anything better to do than accuse our president of so many things. And most of the time they look for something that puts Obama in a low light. We finally have a president who cares, who has a sense of humor, can laugh at himself and tries his best to be a good president. We have a whole list of people who want him to fail. That unholy triumvirate (Graham, Lieberman, and McCain) must stay awake at night thinking of some way to sabotage Obama. Some don't like TARP, some don't like how he is handling things. If they would use the energy it takes to hate they might just help our country by keeping their mouths shut. Never in all my years did I think my country would be in this situation. It isn't as if Obama was born yesterday and he would be able to be Superman overnight.

Cheney used the F word on the floor of the Senate.

it was a very insensitive statement. That said, I'm sure it will blow over soon. It's the kind of thing that slips out when one is trying to be funny around a comedienne. I think being on Jay Leno was stupid to begin with.

Back in the 80s I worked in the Human Services field with what the Dept of Mental Health called the "MR population". Today I guess they're labeled "developmentally disabled"...whatever.

One residence I managed was comprised of two men and a woman. All were medium to higher functioning.

They were all in their mid 20s at the time, and they had all, at one point or another, participated in the Special Olympics.

When that time of year came around again, they were asked if they wanted to compete again, and all three of them said NO WAY!!!

They did not want to be seen as being the same as "those people". Nothing I, or the staff, said could convince them otherwise.

In a way I was sort of amused because we were trying so hard to integrate these guys into the community (right after Reagan shut down some of the MH/MR institutions). Some of the people they'd be competing against were at a similar function level, but these guys identified themselves with the staff (who were mainly all students at Smith College or UMass).


So...not really on topic, but I thought it was kind of a cute story.



PS...just wanted to add that it was the best job I ever had, and I loved working with "the clients", who made me laugh, made me cry, frustrated me, gave me wisdom, and enriched my life.

:)

:hi:

.....said they are getting a mutt - just like him? What was the deal with that?