Special Olympics quip

[Anonymous]

that made me so sad. I voted for Obama and still think he is wonderful but WTF!?

[Anonymous]

Couldn't agree more.

[Anonymous]

it seemed so out of character. i would've never expected that from him. i think he trying too hard to casual and cool. still, he seems to be trying to make it right. maybe some good will come of it.

[Anonymous]

It didn't bother me. I took it in the spirit in which it was offered.

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to the response from Special Olympics on Obama's remark....

http://www.specialolympics.org/official_statement.aspx

I agree with what Shriver says about this being a "teachable moment" for all.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't offended by it. I agree it wasn't like him but he's human and let's face it -- there's a reason why there's a regular Olympics and a Special Olympics. I think he was making fun of his skill level as a fully abled person, not making fun of kids in special olympics.

[Anonymous]

I was extremely offended and Shriver's spinning didn't help.

It's those off-the-cuff, unscripted un-teleprompted moments that reveal the real person behind the public facade. And the real person's real thoughts were pretty ugly.

I've never had a kind word to say about George Bush, but I'll give him this much - he never would have said that.

[Anonymous]

He was too busy talking about OBs not being able to "practice their love" on women...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He was too busy talking about OBs not being able to "practice their love" on women...

This is just vulgar, whatever it's supposed to mean. Could you please try to stay on topic?

[Anonymous]

I also was offended and saddened. Those who are least able to stand up for themselves bear the brunt of the president's lame attempt at humor. And I agree, it's these unscripted moments that tend to show the real person behind the persona. He and his wife seem obsessed with media attention--magazine articles, numerous photo opps, late night TV. What was even sadder was that after Obama's juvenile comment-the audience laughed. Don's know if Leno laughed or not.

[Anonymous]

I have a child with special needs, and while surprised by the joke, didn't feel offended by it. I think the joke shows that we all still have a ways to go before America is a place where everyone--people with special needs, minorities, women, the elderly, whatever else demographic you can think of--really is respected and valued.

It was a tasteless joke, but I've made those and regretted them. He seems like he honestly regrets it, too.

I'm just happy he's serious about helping kids with special needs. He can make all the jokes at my son's expense, and I'd put up with it if my son's services don't get cut!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a child with special needs, and while surprised by the joke, didn't feel offended by it. I think the joke shows that we all still have a ways to go before America is a place where everyone--people with special needs, minorities, women, the elderly, whatever else demographic you can think of--really is respected and valued.

It was a tasteless joke, but I've made those and regretted them. He seems like he honestly regrets it, too.

I'm just happy he's serious about helping kids with special needs. He can make all the jokes at my son's expense, and I'd put up with it if my son's services don't get cut!

That's you. Had it been a racial joke we wouldn't even be discussing this - everyone would be so crystal clear on how thoughtless it was and how reflective of a small mind. Yet parent of special needs children are supposed to be understanding? Well, not me. The President does not get a pass from me here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child with special needs, and while surprised by the joke, didn't feel offended by it. I think the joke shows that we all still have a ways to go before America is a place where everyone--people with special needs, minorities, women, the elderly, whatever else demographic you can think of--really is respected and valued.

It was a tasteless joke, but I've made those and regretted them. He seems like he honestly regrets it, too.

I'm just happy he's serious about helping kids with special needs. He can make all the jokes at my son's expense, and I'd put up with it if my son's services don't get cut!

That's you. Had it been a racial joke we wouldn't even be discussing this - everyone would be so crystal clear on how thoughtless it was and how reflective of a small mind. Yet parent of special needs children are supposed to be understanding? Well, not me. The President does not get a pass from me here.

I think we've lost sight of what the present actually said. He did not make a joke about children with special needs. He made a joke that mentioned the Special Olympics. There IS a difference. The joke was meant to denigrate his own bowling skills.

[Anonymous]

Excuse me, that should have read President, not present.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a child with special needs, and while surprised by the joke, didn't feel offended by it. I think the joke shows that we all still have a ways to go before America is a place where everyone--people with special needs, minorities, women, the elderly, whatever else demographic you can think of--really is respected and valued.

It was a tasteless joke, but I've made those and regretted them. He seems like he honestly regrets it, too.

I'm just happy he's serious about helping kids with special needs. He can make all the jokes at my son's expense, and I'd put up with it if my son's services don't get cut!

That's you. Had it been a racial joke we wouldn't even be discussing this - everyone would be so crystal clear on how thoughtless it was and how reflective of a small mind. Yet parent of special needs children are supposed to be understanding? Well, not me. The President does not get a pass from me here.

I think we've lost sight of what the present actually said. He did not make a joke about children with special needs. He made a joke that mentioned the Special Olympics. There IS a difference. The joke was meant to denigrate his own bowling skills.

Exactly! And he denigrated his own pathetic lack of skill by comparing his performance to that of a special needs child in the Special Olympics. That is what most people are so upset about!