Bowling seemed like such a safe topic amid tense subjects like AIG bonuses and the struggling economy, until President Barack Obama joked to Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” that his poor bowling skills are “like the Special Olympics or something.”
On his way back to Air Force One, Obama called Chairman of the Special Olympics Tim Shriver and said he was sorry, before the interview even aired.
“He thinks the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world,” Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said.
Shriver issued a statement regarding the comment and said, “Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using Special Olympics in a negative or derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs.”
The organization called for this to be seen as “a teachable moment for our country” and asked “young people, parents and leaders from all walks of life to engage in conversation and help dispel negative caricatures about people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that it s only through open conversation and dialogue about how stereotypes can cause pain that we can begin to work together to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all.” [Source: FoxNews.com; Photo: Getty Images]
March 20th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
my president Barack obama look good on jay leno last night he was good talking and every thing it sure feels good to have a black man in office thanks to the people of the world for voteing the right way and not the wrong way thank god for him runing and winning thank you god ,we are so happy now that we dont have to worry about g.bush he is out of the pitcure for good this time useing tax payer money .thank god for president barack obama tahnk god,and god bless ameirca
March 21st, 2009 at 12:29 am
He has hurt many families in America. He needs to say he is sorry in the public, not to an organization.
During the campaign for the White House in 2008, the media criticized Palin for being ‘common,’ ‘not-polished,’ ‘not-compassionate’ and ‘not presidential.’ However, compare Sarah Palins attitude in this video created three weeks ago for the Special Olympics in Boise, Idaho.
Has his true colors emerged?
You decide the more ‘presidential’ among them:
http://tinyurl.com/ccz6nj
March 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Remeber Obama and the Don Imus Comment:
Obama said: “He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are having to deal with today in America. The notions that as young African-American women — who I hope will be athletes — that that somehow makes them less beautiful or less important. It was a degrading comment. It’s one that I’m not interested in supporting.”
Therefore, laughter and the lack of reaction from Obama’s remarks suggest Americans have a set a rules for race, class and gender: If you touch them you will pay.
And another set of rules for individuals that have a mental or physical disability: If you touch them, it’s ok if you apologize. Oh, and by the way, it’s okay to laugh at the jokes that come at the expense of the latter.
It is just cruel:
http://tinyurl.com/cgpymq