The Obama Special Olympics comment

[Jae Onasi]

I'm not interested in crucifying Obama for the comment about his bowling being like Special Olympics (though I am pleased that I''ve bowled better than his 129). It was a gaffe and he acknowledged it was a mistake. It's not the first mistake he made, nor will it be his last.

 

What I'd like to know is how it affected anyone who works with or has in their family any Special Olympiads. What did you think of his comment and what, if anything,, can he do to make it right? Does this help or hurt those who with special needs?

[Adavardes]

I think that it was hilarious, and I'm sick of people being all "THAT'S NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT, WAH WAH WAAAAAAAAH". Screw politically correct, the man has wit, and a sense of humour, something that I think is a refreshing change from our former president. If you ever speak, personally, to a mentally challenged child, they will tell you that they want to be treated like everyone else, and everyone else gets made fun of in modern comedy, so why are they so sacred? It wasn't a gaff, I think it was the first time in a long time I've ever been proud of the president for having the ability to laugh at himself and tell a joke.

 

I'd prefer to keep censorship out of the United States. Something called the first amendment.

[Miltiades]

@Adavardes: I agree wholeheartedly. There were no bad intentions in his words. He was just laughing at himself and telling a joke, for which he may compare himself to anyone.

[mimartin]

First I’m not against people watching what they say in order not to put down another person. If they are watching what they said out of respect for that person I find that honorable. If they are only doing it so they are not crucified by the media or the other side then I do have a problem with political correctness.

 

It was a gaff and nothing more. He apologized for his remarks and I believe that should be the end of it.

 

However, I do believe he should accept Kolan McConiughey challenge, if the challenge is true, and bowl against the Special Olympics bowling champion. I believe the President of the United States bowling against a Special Olympian would bring understand and acceptance of this special segment of the worlds population.

 

What I'd like to know is how it affected anyone who works with or has in their family any Special Olympiads. What did you think of his comment and what, if anything,, can he do to make it right? [/Quote] I thought they were funny, but I don’t believe the President of the United States should be a comedian. Yes, his mere comments help, by bringing much needed attention to those with special needs.

what, if anything,, can he do to make it right? [/Quote] By bringing attention to the issues surrounding those with special needs and by not handcuffing the scientific community, in the name of God, thus preventing them from doing proper research in the areas that may help this community. I believe Obama has already done this in reversing the previous administration decisions in this area.

Does this help or hurt those who with special needs?

Help. It is always helpful to bring attention to those with special needs. I really hope President Obama does even more.

[Kjølen]

I'd prefer to keep censorship out of the United States. Something called the second amendment.

 

Er, first amendment. The second one's about guns.

 

One of the things that people have to realize is that one of the six major roles the President of the United States is in is "Chief Citizen." This means he represents to the world the model of what a US citizen is. So, if people raise questions on whether or not our Chief Citizen should make jokes that could be offensive to the mentally handicapped, it's a valid concern.

[Nedak]

I've worked with "special" people before. I don't think this is a big deal at all.

 

I mean who really gives a ****? He and every president should be judged by their actions while in office, not little jokes they make.

 

I'd prefer to keep censorship out of the United States. Something called the second amendment.

Amen to that.

 

I hope to see the President doing some Carlin jokes while in office if he shares the same belief.

[Adavardes]

Er, first amendment. The second one's about guns.

 

Fixed. My bad. XD

[Sir Vougalot]

Yeah, I don't care about the "special Olympics" comment one bit. What Obama has done and continues to do to incinerate this country beyond recognition gives us plenty to talk about. This recent comment is the least of our concerns.

[Jae Onasi]

I think that it was hilarious, and I'm sick of people being all "THAT'S NOT POLITICALLY CORRECT, WAH WAH WAAAAAAAAH". Screw politically correct

I know what he was trying to get at. Making fun of the mentally disabled to make a joke that ended up being at their expense wasn't appropriate, and he recognized that later. If he'd said 'dead amoebas bowl better than I do', it would have been fine.

 

, the man has wit, and a sense of humour, something that I think is a refreshing change from our former president.

That's not what I vote for in a President. I care about their ability to lead the country, not their ability to make a joke.

 

If you ever speak, personally, to a mentally challenged child, they will tell you that they want to be treated like everyone else, and everyone else gets made fun of in modern comedy, so why are they so sacred?

Because you don't make fun of people who aren't capable of fighting back for themselves on equal footing. At least Obama has courtesy figured out.

It wasn't a gaff, I think it was the first time in a long time I've ever been proud of the president for having the ability to laugh at himself and tell a joke.

If he'd been laughing only at himself, and said something like 'seaweed would get a higher bowling score than me', I'd never have had an issue. The fact that he made the gaffe of implying that an entire class of people are as incapable as he is was impolite.

 

I'd prefer to keep censorship out of the United States. Something called the first amendment.

There's a huge difference between being sensitive and courteous and censorship.

[EnderWiggin]

Yeah, I don't care about the "special Olympics" comment one bit. What Obama has done and continues to do to incinerate this country beyond recognition gives us plenty to talk about. This recent comment is the least of our concerns.

 

We need a troll smiley

 

_EW_

[Adavardes]

I know what he was trying to get at. Making fun of the mentally disabled to make a joke that ended up being at their expense wasn't appropriate, and he recognized that later. If he'd said 'dead amoebas bowl better than I do', it would have been fine.

 

Not seeing why I should care. It was a joke, it wasn't like he was saying "retards should be burned at the stake", or something absolutely horrifying. This is taking something simple and humourous, and blowing it way out of proportion.

 

That's not what I vote for in a President. I care about their ability to lead the country, not their ability to make a joke.

 

I totally agree. Luckily, he has both.

 

Because you don't make fun of people who aren't capable of fighting back for themselves on equal footing. At least Obama has courtesy figured out.

 

This comes down to censorship and political correctness, and to pretend that it's about common courtesy is absurd at best. This is about not stepping on the toes of activist groups that over-react at the slightest little thing because they can't handle a joke, or a turn of phrase.

 

If he'd been laughing only at himself, and said something like 'seaweed would get a higher bowling score than me', I'd never have had an issue. The fact that he made the gaffe of implying that an entire class of people are as incapable as he is was impolite.

 

1. Comparing yourself to the skill of seaweed in a sport is not nearly as funny as comparing yourself to a 'tard.

 

2. Bawww, it was impolite, somebody call the care police. Please do not resort to personal attacks and snarkiness to make your point. The description of Kavar’s Corner states – “A place for friendly discussion of serious topics.” Let’s try to keep it that way. ~ mimartin

There's a huge difference between being sensitive and courteous and censorship.

 

Are we really going to cater to every single person's idea of rudeness or lack of manners? When do we draw the line? You can't call a black person black anymore, you have to call them African American, despite the fact that all people of the black ethnicity are not of African descent, nor do they all live in America. How many people do we have to make happy? How is freedom of speech truly free if we don't actually have the freedom to say what we want if it upsets people? I hear a lot of conservatives complaining about a democrat in office signalling the end of basic freedoms, but then the Christians or charity activists or whatever, most of them from that same group, turn around and tell us to censor our speech because they don't like it.

 

How far? Hm?

[Nedak]

Yeah, I don't care about the "special Olympics" comment one bit. What Obama has done and continues to do to incinerate this country beyond recognition gives us plenty to talk about. This recent comment is the least of our concerns.

 

Hahaha, what are you even talking about?

[Tommycat]

Hmmmm this is interesting... Bush makes a verbal gaff in humorous intent, RHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE HE'S A MONSTER! Obama makes a gaff, and it's "give it a rest already!"

 

Those of you that think Bush has no wit or sense of humor have not actually listened to much of his general dialogue(when he's not reading his speech). Like when he was accepting the international medal of Peace(How Ironic is that). Or you just hate the man and use any opportunity to bash him.

 

As for Obama's remark. Meh it's nothing I wouldn't have said myself if I only bowled a 129. Then again, I make a lot of remarks that might tick people off if I said them on national TV. I also don't happen to be the representative for the country(thank your lucky stars for that haha). So it is a little different. As a public figure in politics, he should be a bit more cautious than the rest of us. But as I said, it really isn't a big deal.

[mimartin]

Obama makes gaff, Obama apologizes.

 

Bush makes gaff, Bush’s team attacks media over being bias.

 

There is a difference.

[TSR]

I think it was brilliant. Hell, I like the guy.

 

Better than our PM at any rate.

[Sir Vougalot]

Hahaha, what are you even talking about?

 

Uh, have you been to the United States lately?

 

Are there seriously people out there who still like Obama, or are you just being sarcastic. I have a hard time sensing sarcasm sometimes.

[jrrtoken]

Uh, have you been to the United States lately?

Well, yeah, the economy has gone down the crapper. But it's not like it's Obama's fault; Bush just putted around and let it go to hell. At least Obama is attempting to fix it, whether or not his methods will truly works has yet to be seen, but at least someone is doing something about it, rather than letting the economy "fix itself".

[Q]

I think that everyone here has misspoken at one time or another and most likely several times.

 

I think that all of the massive bailouts only amount to so much turd-polishing, but we'll see.

[Nedak]

Uh, have you been to the United States lately?

 

Are there seriously people out there who still like Obama, or are you just being sarcastic. I have a hard time sensing sarcasm sometimes.

 

I don't like Obama, nor have I liked any past president we've had for a long time. But if you think one man is ruining our country, you need to do some serious reading.

 

How about you give some examples on how the man is ruining our country?

 

Well, yeah, the economy has gone down the crapper. But it's not like it's Obama's fault; Bush just putted around and let it go to hell. At least Obama is attempting to fix it, whether or not his methods will truly works has yet to be seen, but at least someone is doing something about it, rather than letting the economy "fix itself".

 

Exactly.

 

People seem to think that Obama caused the economic crisis. That's a joke.

 

Also, I wouldn't say OBAMA is fixing anything, all he did was sign the package.

[Lord of Hunger]

The fact that Obama had to apologize (which was probably done out of political expedience anyway) is one of thousands of examples that the promise of free speech is a lie. You have the right to say what you want...UNLESS:

 

1) It is considered racist, sexist, or pokes fun in any way against a member of a minority.

2) You belong to the so-called "majority" (white protestant male), in which case an "African American" may call themselves or a member of their racial group a ****** but you can't.

3) It contains a "bad word".

4) It contradicts a well-established urban myth, societal norm, or popular idea.

5) If it by any means leaves you open to being sued.

6) If it goes against the popular political ideology of the time.

7) If it defends an unpopular individual or criticizes a popular individual.

 

Freedom of Speech is a lie, an empty promise that has been handed down from politician to politician and force-fed via our obviously biased media outlets (usually TV goes left wing and radio for the right wing).

 

As for Bush and Obama....

 

Bush: The guy wasn't the best speaker or the best administrator, but he has been demonized. Yes, he made a lot of mistakes, but not only have they been blown out of proportion but many of them were supported by his Democratic opponents (hell, Hillary Clinton and John Kerry voted for the Iraq War and our current President Obama voted for the Patriot Act). He is obviously not a moron as he reads, is bilingual (most Americans cannot claim such), and excises plenty. And we've had worse then him.

 

Obama: He's sort of an enigma to me. During the campaign he promoted a lot of platforms that I opposed and gave me the impression of a strong leftist. When he got elected he instantly transformed into the very president I was hoping for: a moderate and efficient individual who is willing to reach out when he can but knows when to give people the finger and just get the job done. He's not the Messiah, but there are only a few things (mostly foreign policy stuff) that I've disagreed with. From every indication I'm getting, his actions are helping to fix this mess (which is the result of a cultural problem rather than just a few people as it's made out to be) and get us back on our feet.

[Sir Vougalot]

Yeah, I never said Obama was the one person who ruined our country, you just assumed. But he's certainly making it worse with his redistribution of wealth.

 

As for Bush "doing nothing," he pretty much gave us an economic golden age. Until the House democrats overturned everything and bound his hands. The state of the economy has nothing to do with Bush whatsoever.

[jrrtoken]

Yeah, I never said Obama was the one person who ruined our country, you just assumed. But he's certainly making it worse with his redistribution of wealth.

I doubt it for, many reasons, mainly because "reditribution of wealth" is always used as an ignorant anti-socialist phrase, that has no real merit.

As for Bush "doing nothing," he pretty much gave us an economic golden age. Until the House democrats overturned everything and bound his hands. The state of the economy has nothing to do with Bush whatsoever.

Oh yeah, that makes a lot sense, especially when under Bush the national deficit doubled. Thanks, Dubya.

[Jae Onasi]

With the way the economy cycles, every President who serves 2 terms is going to have a few years of a good economy and a few years of a bad economy, barring some long lasting economic disaster like the Great Depression. Presidents are given way too much credit for the good economic years and way too much blame for the bad years. No one person can determine the economy, even a President.

[mimartin]

Why isn’t it considered redistribution of wealth when you take money from the middle class and give to the rich? Or is that all right?

 

As for Bush "doing nothing," he pretty much gave us an economic golden age. Until the House democrats overturned everything and bound his hands. The state of the economy has nothing to do with Bush whatsoever.

The Democrats were the ones that deregulated the banking industry? The Democrats were the one that allowed for the banking industry to get in the speculation markets? I’m surprised I thought my former Senator from Texas, Phil Gram, was a Republican.

[EnderWiggin]

Yeah, I never said Obama was the one person who ruined our country, you just assumed. But he's certainly making it worse with his redistribution of wealth.

 

As for Bush "doing nothing," he pretty much gave us an economic golden age. Until the House democrats overturned everything and bound his hands. The state of the economy has nothing to do with Bush whatsoever.

 

Wow, I wish you had some actual empirical evidence to back up these obviously libelous (and rather factually incorrect) words

 

_EW_