Saturday, 21 March 2009
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President Obama and Special Olympics
As you all know; I do not watch television. All my news comes from the ten minute ride to the school in the morning or from online. I heard a snippet on Friday about something our President said the night prior. I wasn't in the car long enough to find out exactly what was said, but it made me curious.
Later on that day I happen to see the article online. It was a video clip of the "incident". I watched, I listened, I wondered what the uproar was exactly about. You all know that I would be the first and most likely the loudest to exclaim outrage if I felt that President Obama meant any disrespect by his comment. Was it the smartest thing in the world to say; probably not. As the parent of a child with a disability; was I offended?? Not for one second.
He was trying to be funny. He spoke without really thinking of what impact his words might have on the public. Haven't we all said something only to immediately think, "oh crap, I really shouldn't have said that"? I know that I have many times, a few times today even.
What really bothers me is that now I read that Sarah Palin is "outraged" over his comment. Now really Sarah; I admire you for getting information about Down syndrome out there for the world to see; but outraged?? Perhaps a bit offput, but outraged?? Did he suggest that we line up all people with disabilities and place them on an island somewhere? No, he made a bad joke and has since apologized. If you want to be outraged about something, why don't you try focusing some anger on AGI and this ridiculous bailout that allowed them to pay the very people that ran the company into the ground, millions in bonuses. Now that is something I could get behind.
I am one of the most outspoken advocates for awareness and inclusion for all people with disabilities. Jokes about people with disabilities will make me more angry than a bear spooked out of hibernation. While I think the comment was a poor choice; I don't think he meant harm. I would rather focus on getting this country back on financial track and less about a stupid joke made during an interview on late night television.
So, that is my rant for the day. Happy Saturday and an even better Sunday.
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Comments (12)
That's very interesting that you feel that way. I was wondering if you were going to say something about it, actually. I watched the snippet on the news last night and was sitting there saying, "What the hell was he thinking?" You know as soon as he said it, he was probably like "shit.. shouldn't have said that." lol. But.. I'm not a big Obama fan at all.. I think it was poor judgement on his part to say that.. but I don't think he needs to sit around and harp on that forever.. he needs to get our country into better shape and bring the "change" he promised... IDK.. I'm glad you posted this. I completely agree with what you are saying.. he stuck his foot in his mouth, apologized, and now he just needs to think before he talks and move on...
Hope you're having a great weekend.Well said. I think they are nit picking.
I agree with you. We have way more important things to be talking about than a joke.
I have to admit, I was watching Leno when he said that and thought, "that was stupid". Then I forgot about it until I heard about it again on the news. Upon second thought, it may not be very offensive but it is insensitive. I think that it may show something about his level of sensitivity and care toward disabled/ exceptional individuals when he makes such a joke when his guard is down. I, myself, am guilty of sometimes making inappropriate comments to my hubby or my close friends in jokes, etc, but I think one has to watch what he or she verbally portrays when talking to many. I think the president needs to be an individual who values and stands up for the rights and abilities of all individuals, and Obama's comments in some sense degraded those who participate in Special Olympics, as he compared his inability to bowl to their abilities.
For what it is worth......I am not that much in a tiff over it though!
I was also wondering if you would make a remark about this. I also felt that, yes, it was a poor choice of words, but I also didn't think he meant harm. And Sarah Plain being so "outraged" over the comment? She just always wants to put the attention on herself, imo. Anything to stretch those fifteen minutes of fame.
There was something in the news, with all of this, about him bowling a game of something like a 39 while on the campaign trail. That is about what I average too. So I guess I chuckled more than most when I heard about his comment the next morning. He obviously didn't mean anything by it. He was just laughing at himself, and his lack of bowling ability. The fact that he is going on Leno, and making himself so available to the public through all of his press conferences all over the place says a lot more to me than him slipping up on a little comment. I don't think it shows any lack of respect or concern over individuals who are disabled. He's the President, but he's still human. It drives me crazy that some people are spending more time looking for tiny issues to rail him for instead of putting all of that time and effort into something more worthwhile.
@amysfantastic5 - Oh you know you just wanted Palin to win. (fleeing) LOLOL
I was wondering if I was the only who didnt think it was offensive. I will be the first to admit, I am not an Obama fan. But I agree that he said it only to be funny and not to be offensive. If he was trying to make fun of anyone, it was himself!
Tim and I had the same conversation. It's exactly the reason that I tend to avoid special needs parents. (Present company excluded, of course.) ...because everything that everyone does tends to be taken a personal attack. It just wasn't meant that way.
@filtered_sunlight - LOL, I would never imagine you avoiding a parent of a special needs child. You simply adore me.
Having Emily has made more aware of the "r" word and such, but I am still scratching my head at the outrage over his slip. Stupid comment? Totally. Worth even one inch of a headline? Nope.
@gwacemom - I do adore you. I like crows...they're pretty.
Em has made me more aware of the things I say as well. It's funny how much you just don't think about it until you meet someone that, well, makes you stop and think about it really. (Running on 5 hours of sleep in two days...my usual articulation has dropped to an all new low...)
Whew! I found another person who is not offended... YEAH! My husband and I are wondering what the big deal is. We considered his statement to be him making fun of himself, he wasn't making fun of people in Special Olympics. The news is so dumb though that they have to take every single comment and over analyze it. Grrr.