Obama Forced To Apologize To Special Olympics

[Shady]

Obama apologizes for remark

After comparing his bowling to the Special Olympics on "The Tonight Show" Thursday, President Obama called Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver to apologize before the program even aired.

“He expressed his disappointment and he apologized, in a way that was very moving,” Shriver said on ABC's “Good Morning America.” “It’s important to see that words hurt, and words do matter. And these words that in some respect can be seen as humiliating or a put-down of people with special needs do cause pain, and they do result in stereotypes."

The president had been making an attempt at self-deprecating humor in his appearance on Jay Leno's show by saying that a recent 129 he scored in the White House bowling alley had been "like Special Olympics, or something."

Politico

Hey Barry, don't quit your day job! You're not a comedian you're a President, and so far you're just barely a better President than comedian.

[guyser]

... you're just barely a better President than comedian.

After 8 years of one who was a better comedian than a President , it all works out.

Arm tired from throwing at the wall yet?

[Topaz]

What Obama said was wrong and he said he was sorry that is more than Bush ever did! As far as being a comedian that is what GW will ever be a court jester! When he was a director on the Carlyle Group, which daddy got for him, the manager said everyday at the meetings GW would come in and sit and tell dirty jokes and never contribute anything towards the company and so he had to ask him to leave. He said he was really surprised when GW became prez.

[BubberMiley]

I'm not sure who are the bigger hypocrites: those on the right who feign offence but would rabidly defend a Republican against PC police run amuck, or those on the left who would be rabidly offended if a Republican said it, but from a Democrat it's no big deal.

Me, I only get offended by people who try to sexualize children or incite violence.

I've always said this forum is much like the special olympics in that, even when you win a debate, you're still retarded.

[bush_cheney2004]

What Obama said was wrong and he said he was sorry that is more than Bush ever did!

President Obama dicked up (again)....if Ann Coulter or Rush made such a comment, we would have wholesale outrage for at least a week.

Bush is gone...get over it.

[DogOnPorch]

The gaf in question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE0yAEvVsUo

[Shakeyhands]

Hey Barry, don't quit your day job! You're not a comedian you're a President, and so far you're just barely a better President than comedian.

You are absolutely, positively obsessed! Hahaha...

ODS Positive!!!

[Moonbox]

Yeah I think this was a stupid thing to make a big deal about. Maybe it offended a few people but at least it shows that Obama is a regular guy that makes the same sort of jokes we all do.

[Oleg Bach]

Yeah I think this was a stupid thing to make a big deal about. Maybe it offended a few people but at least it shows that Obama is a regular guy that makes the same sort of jokes we all do.

Nawh - you would expect that his humor would be funny and original - it just shows you that without a speech writer he is dead in the water.

[Moonbox]

I don't expect anything of the sort. None of the prereqs for Presidency include: Funny and Original sense of humor.

At least this shows he's not a tight ass bore.

[DrGreenthumb]

I don't expect anything of the sort. None of the prereqs for Presidency include: Funny and Original sense of humor.

At least this shows he's not a tight ass bore.

Yeah I watched it and I thought he was pretty funny, and sure a hell of a lot more personable, and natural then our goof of a prime minister. I doubt if anyone is actually offended by his comment, not even special olympics athletes. I watched that Johnny Knocksville movie, The Ringer with some friends of mine who have down's syndrome and they quite enjoyed it, thought it was pretty funny. One of them has actually competed in the special olympics a few times. If anything they probably would get a kick out of hearing the president mention the special olympics on Jay Leno. People with down's syndrome are mostly pretty cool when you get to know them and have a pretty good sense of humour too. They would have been able to tell by the way Obama said the comments that he wasn't trying to be mean to them, or ridicule them. They are actually quite perceptive at judging people's feelings toward them.

[Oleg Bach]

I don't expect anything of the sort. None of the prereqs for Presidency include: Funny and Original sense of humor.

At least this shows he's not a tight ass bore.

It shows him to be lacking in deep intellectual substance - he's a light weight - and YOU know it..the last one was a flake as this one is _Biden is the president - America is a huge corporation and the VP is always the head guy. Presidents are front men and it's about theatre - and what the hell is supposedly the most powerful leader on earth doing playing comedian - Just like Bill with the sax - what's that? Hillary was President as was Nancy Ragan..I rest my case..

[Shady]

Yeah I watched it and I thought he was pretty funny, and sure a hell of a lot more personable, and natural then our goof of a prime minister.

Our Prime Minister can be described many ways, even many negative ways, but goof isn't one of them.

I doubt if anyone is actually offended by his comment, not even special olympics athletes.

Well, you doubt wrong.

Maria Shriver: Obama Special Olympics 'joke' hurts

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Maria Shriver says President Barack Obama's joke comparing his poor bowling score to that of a Special Olympics athlete was hurtful, although she is sure he didn't mean it that way.

California's first lady issued a statement Friday, a day after the president made the gaffe on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Obama later called Maria's brother, Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver, to apologize.

The siblings' mother, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver, founded the Special Olympics and has championed the rights of the mentally disabled.

Maria Shriver says the reaction to Obama's joke shows there is still more work to do. She says laughing at such comments "hurts millions of people throughout the world."

Shriver, a Democrat, supported Obama's presidential campaign.

AP

But I agree with some of the previous posters, that this is being blown way out of proportion. The delicious irony of it all, is the politically correct environment that liberalism has greatly contributed to, has claimed one of its own as a victim. You reap what you sow Barry.

[Michael Hardner]

I watched it and I thought he was pretty funny, and sure a hell of a lot more personable, and natural then our goof of a prime minister. I doubt if anyone is actually offended by his comment, not even special olympics athletes. I watched that Johnny Knocksville movie, The Ringer with some friends of mine who have down's syndrome and they quite enjoyed it, thought it was pretty funny. One of them has actually competed in the special olympics a few times. If anything they probably would get a kick out of hearing the president mention the special olympics on Jay Leno. People with down's syndrome are mostly pretty cool when you get to know them and have a pretty good sense of humour too. They would have been able to tell by the way Obama said the comments that he wasn't trying to be mean to them, or ridicule them. They are actually quite perceptive at judging people's feelings toward them.

Greens,

I have been waiting in hope for Obama to take off as a president. The last few media appearances have been frustrating for me, as they seem unnecessary - especially at a time when he needs to be spending as much time as possible learning about his new job.

I think that the appearance, and his comment were poorly timed and thought out and I'm unimpressed with them.

Certainly, it's evidence that the honeymoon with Obama is still ongoing, at least in the media. I believe that a greater fuss would have been made if GW Bush said this.

[noahbody]

Certainly, it's evidence that the honeymoon with Obama is still ongoing, at least in the media.

It will be interesting to see if Saturday Night Live and the other late night talk shows poke fun at him for making the comments.

[bush_cheney2004]

.....The delicious irony of it all, is the politically correct environment that liberalism has greatly contributed to, has claimed one of its own as a victim. You reap what you sow Barry.

That's the funniest part.....hoisted by one's own "petard".

Obama's gaffe should be understood in full post-election context, including Governor Palin's "special needs" child. She unloaded some criticism for the comment as well.

It is a short term feeding frenzy opportunity (just like the Nancy Reagan gaffe), and our man god has learned a lesson.

[Oleg Bach]

Here is my racist comment and it's real funny - Obama has a little head and a thick scull - maybe he should be a boxer...Obama has big ears - and he looks like a monkey --- and his wife is ugly - and and and - he's he's not very smart....he's golfing skills remind me of a ghetto kid who learned to put in a back alley using a pile of broken wine bottles for a sand trap - NOW I am on the black list --- that was easy.......and he's Jewish...Yah that's the ticket - Jewish Muslim .. and and and --- he has a little head and brain ----- did I say that already? And he is PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Wow - if he wasn't president he would be working as a law clerk in some corrupt Chicago firm - stealing pension funds....Perfect - America's best.....and he's a retard - can I say retard?

[guyser]

Our Prime Minister can be described many ways, even many negative ways, but goof isn't one of them.

Wanna bet? Havent you seen the picture of the leather vest and cowboy hat, or the fishing vest in Mexico (IIIRC) even though it s sweltering?

All PM's have days they look like a goof. Duceppe w the hair net, Trudeau w the hats and scarves....Clark w his mittens pinned to his jacket....