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News & ArtsFriday, March 20, 2009
Mailbag Re: The Special Olympics
Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Vis-a-vis Obama's Tonight Show remark, a reader writes:
So he said that his bowling was like the Special Olympics, that is, he scored poorly. Is it not the nature of the Special Olympics that scores are not as high as in, say, the regular Olympics? I generally get—and agree with—these kinds of P.C. things, but this eludes me. I just don't see what's wrong with it.
Is the response a knee-jerk reaction? (Can one use the phrase "knee-jerk reaction" without offending those with jerky knees?)
1
"Is the response a knee-jerk reaction? (Can one use the phrase "knee-jerk reaction" without offending those with jerky knees?)"
Good question. That's a real head-scratcher.
(Apologies to those with psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, or generally itchy scalps)
Good question. That's a real head-scratcher.
(Apologies to those with psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, or generally itchy scalps)
4
I'm not sure, but I don't think anyone can score poorly in the Special Olympics. I think he was responding to the charitable applause from the audience.
5
He was not suggesting that Special Olympics competitors typically score lower. He was suggesting that he was being complimented for his improved score, even though it was still a poor one for an able-bodied competitor, like Special Olympics competitors are ("good job, Timmy!"). This is indeed a bit of a slap at Special Olympics contributors, though the "controversy" is a deeply lame one.
6
the comment was lame. I bet his wife ripped him a new one. Still ... Barry is a good guy and we're lucky to have him.
7
Oh my God! I am deeply offended. As President of People Without Knees, Inc., I demand an immediate apology.
8
C'mon...the fucking oath of the Special Olympics is, "Let me win but if I cannot let me be brave in the attempt."
Does that sound like the oath of a born winner like Kenny Fuckin' Powers?
No, that's the mitigated-goal-setting-oath of a blind Marksman.
Wait, back in the '91 Special Olympics a fucking blind guy took the gold in marksmanship. Fuck it. Nevermind.
Does that sound like the oath of a born winner like Kenny Fuckin' Powers?
No, that's the mitigated-goal-setting-oath of a blind Marksman.
Wait, back in the '91 Special Olympics a fucking blind guy took the gold in marksmanship. Fuck it. Nevermind.
9
Even better:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29794775/
The top bowler for the Special Olympics looks forward to meeting President Barack Obama in an alley.
“He bowled a 129. I bowl a 300. I could beat that score easily,” Michigan’s Kolan McConiughey told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/29794775/
The top bowler for the Special Olympics looks forward to meeting President Barack Obama in an alley.
“He bowled a 129. I bowl a 300. I could beat that score easily,” Michigan’s Kolan McConiughey told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.
10
At least he did not use the now unacceptable "r" word. Intellectually disabled just doesn't have the same punch.
13
I used to work for a local branch of the Association for Retarded Citizens back east. I noticed that the politicians who are pouncing on this admittedly inappropriate comment belong to the same (grand old) party as those in my former home state legislature who were always eager to cut funding from programs and agencies that help people with disabilities. Surprise.
I'm with @11. He has apologized, let's move on.
I'm with @11. He has apologized, let's move on.
14
Still don't care. Much ado about absolutely zilch. Republicants just want another excuse to whine whine whine whine whine.
17
Oh honestly Bethany Jean C. ---are you really comparing shaky knees to lifelong physical and mental impairments?
Grow up and see how what he said is insensitive, though like Fnarf says, it is hardly a controversy.
Grow up and see how what he said is insensitive, though like Fnarf says, it is hardly a controversy.
18
Wow, Obama really put his foot in his mouth.
(Oops, my apologies to the cannibals I may have offended.)
(Oops, my apologies to the cannibals I may have offended.)
19
It does show a certain insensitivity, but one that's shared by just about everyone, so it's hard to fault him for that.
I don't think those who cheer at the special olympics are so much different from those who cheer at a high school sporting events, most of which are little more than display of tedious mediocrity. At least the retarded have worked really hard to overcome a very serious handicap. Highschool students merely need to overcome puberty.
I don't think those who cheer at the special olympics are so much different from those who cheer at a high school sporting events, most of which are little more than display of tedious mediocrity. At least the retarded have worked really hard to overcome a very serious handicap. Highschool students merely need to overcome puberty.
20
He was using people who are mentally disabled as a punchline and as a stand-in for "stupid" or "incompetent," so no, it's not knee-jerk. He referenced the Special Olympics the same way someone might joke about "riding the short bus." It's all the rage now to make fun of people with mental disabilities in order to obtain non-politically correct credentials, so Obama seems to be getting a pass, even with liberals, which is disappointing.
21
Uh, no, @20, he didn't get a pass. He realized his mistake immediately and apologized right away. That's what adults do. You may not recognize that kind of behaviour after the last 8 years of not apologizing for jack shit.
Grow the fuck up.
Grow the fuck up.
22
It was a joke in poor taste, hence why he was so easily forgiven...people aren't really THAT upset. However, it's still a bad joke. Yes scores are lower in the special olympics...but the event is supposed to empower people. We shouldn't sit around reminding them that their scores are lower and using them as jokes.
23
@6 "Lame"!!? I am sorry, I have a limp because I busted my leg in an unfortunate rodeo accident and now I have to listen to folks like yourself bandy around that word so casually - I am deeply offended. And don't even try to call me crippled - I am proudly handi-capable. Seriously though, where is George Carlin when we need him to skewer this self-serving politically correct word assassination? Or right, he's dead. To paraphrase the man, "Its not the word we need to be concerned about but the asshole using it." Clearly Barack Obama is not an asshole - everybody chill!
24
Seriously. Barack Obama is a hooligan who has besmirtched the oval office. I thought he was sensitive, but then he said THIS. What a gyp! I'm glad we're all so aware of our own prejudices that we would never commit such an outrageous sin! Hep hep hooray!
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