Obama's Special Olympics comment was thoughtless and out of character...

[truebrit71]

...but the level of outrage about this comment as opposed to say, authorizing the torture of innocent people, or lying about intelligence to start a war, or shredding civil liberties and the Constitution needs to be a little more measured, no?

I know the reich-wing won't get the distinction, but I would hope that DU would 'get it'...

[whathehell]

1. I certainly get it...I haven't watched the news today...Is the Reich Wing

feigning outrage?...It would be out of character for THEM to miss a chance.

..However, the president has already spoken to it..said he didn't mean to offend and praised the Special Olympics...With that, I think the transparency of his obvious kindness and humanity should quell the Wingnuts attempts to use this.

[ogneopasno]

2. People react more strongly when someone they see as an ally does something that surprises or shocks

them. People can also react strongly about something while having strong feelings of outrage about other things at the same time. Tut-tutting at people for reacting in a way you think is in appropriate isn't very constructive, but you probably knew that already.

[FudaFuda]

14. Exactly. I expected better of him.

It's so stupid that people are trying to justify or diminish this by comparing it to wrongs committed under Bush. you know, 'well, compared to illegally invading a country and torturing prisoners, this is nothing'

that's not the point. President Obama's 'joke' last night has really disappointed me. I thought he was of better character than to make that kind of joke. And let me put this as plainly as possible: People who appreciate and care about the everyday condition of people living in the special needs community would NOT say that.

[ogneopasno]

It could be turned into something useful -- an opening into how humans tend to "other" people, and

how very, very insidious such instincts are. It would be a good conversation to have, and an opportunity to sit and listen when someone says "hey, that bothers me" instead of defending or hyperbolizing it, or, worse, dismissing or belittling other people's reactions.

[Captain_Nemo]

28. It disappointed me, too. I always ask myself if I would make a joke at the expense of the disabled..

And I wouldn't.

[EFerrari]

31. The inability to forgive a small mistake by a good person is far worse

a transgression than the original which was unintentional. It argues a smallness of mind, a poverty of spirit and shallowness of character. I expected better from DU.

[FudaFuda]

34. Not a small mistake, if you recognize bigotry for what it is.

An apology is fine. And appreciated. Better than pretending it didn't happen. But it takes a bigoted spirit to make jokes at the expense of the mentally impaired, and an apology doesn't erase that. This is the President we're talking about, not some sixth grade kid.

I'm fine with moving on. But I'll be moving on knowing a little better just what our President's personality is like.

[EFerrari]

39. Yes, a very small one. That you can blow it so out of proportion

says more about your ego and your lack of judgment than Obama's comment says about him.

[azmouse]

3. It seemed to be a minor story on the morning shows.

Yep, it was covered but it wasn't seen as a big deal. Tempest in a teapot....

[MadBadger]

7. That really surprised me. If this was the campaign, I think it would have been everywhere.

[global1]

4. I Bet Chuck Todd Asks Bob Gibbs Some Stupid Question Related To This Gaffe ......

at today's daily press conference.

[WI_DEM]

22. Chuck Todd never has been a real reporter, it's laughable that he is the WH correspondent

He's a good numbers guy--he should have stuck with that.

[Richardo]

5. Well, he did make the Nancy Reagan seance joke too...

I think he's got a snarky sense of humor, just usually keeps it in check.

One good thing - he's quick with the personal apologies.

[BobRossi]

6. The troubling thought to me......

Is that President Obama feels that he needs to go on late night TV to explain himself at all. It shows a huge lack of self confidence in my opinion. I would suggest that he simply take care of business and quit exposing himself to additional mis-step potential.

[Horse with no Name]

8. I thought of it as educating the electorate

and going to them instead of expecting people to find him on CSPAN.
Not a thing wrong with it.

[ErinBerin84]

9. eh

This was scheduled for a little while, and he is at least doing 60 minutes and a prime time address thing. It may have not been worth it, given the dumb joke, but at least he's not JUST going to be doing the tonight show this week.

[Maru Kitteh]

13. I thought it was a brilliant move. Many who are loathe to tune into an address or watch the news

watch Leno every night. It was very smart of the President to reach out to the public in this way. He was a natural, and he did an overall great job.

[WilliamPitt]

19. Oy vey...

It's a captive audience of people who are on the fence about him, who get information about him through the media filter. This was just him talking to people without all the bells and whistles.

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

42. That he went on Leno is even worse. It's being party to systematic abuse

lol

[Maru Kitteh]

10. Very wonderful and thoughtful people occasionaly say thoughtless things

A few poorly chosen words doesn't negate their entire balance. I'm sure (unlike the pricks of the right) Obama feels quite bad about the feelings of anyone he hurt, and he's apologized for it. People need to acknowledge that and get the fuck over it.

[napi21]

11. Oh for goodness sake. I bet everyone of us has made off the cuff

coments similar to his. I know I sure have! It's WAY past time for the damn politically correct police to croak!

[LisaL]

12. Well everyone of us is not the president.

Therein lies the difference.

[marshall]

18. And every president doesn't go on late night tv

Now we know why--it's too unctonrolled of an environment. It's one thing for John Doe or even some celebrity to make a clumsy joke, it's quite another for the POTUS to do so.

[napi21]

46. WHY? Look, I belonged to a bowling league for YEARS; sometimes 2

different ones at the same time. I'm old now, and I can't bowl anymore. If Obama knew ME and had said "I bowled a 129, kinda like XXXXXX dos now." I wouldn't be offended. It's true! Obama was "just talking" to Jay, and it's just plain silly for people to get upset over such an innocent comment!

[marshall]

49. The president is held to a higher standard than a local bowling league

Everyone of us farts too, but I don't want to see the President fart, burp, scratch his balls or pick his nose on national television either. We had enough of the inane behavior in the last administration.

Basically it's all perspective. You may not be offended by a handicapped joke, but you might be offended by a racial joke or a sexual joke or a Pollack joke or whatever, that might not offend somebody else.

[earth mom]

21. Bingo. nt

[napi21]

44. No it's not! The President, whoever he/she is, is still a human being!

Obama is a human being too, just like you & me! He's certainly smarter than me, and has taken on a job I would NEVER even want! He doesn't talk in scripted language like a lot of politicians, and I happen to like that in our President. For people to criticize him for being candid and saying the same kind of things almost every other human would say is hypocritical.

[Bluebear]

17. For some, this issue is a daily challenge. That's not "damn politically correct".

[WI_DEM]

15. I'm sure glad we take our talking points from FAUX which has been pounding Obama on this

since last night. It was a careless off hand remark of the kind that almost anybody, except some self righteous people who never are anything but PC, can make. He apologized, rightly, it's over with.

[WilliamPitt]

16. The TV says it was bad

It must be true.

[TahitiNut]

20. No shit. But why waste a chance to trot out one's own (alleged) virtues?

After all, 'virtue' is best demonstrated by attacking a President and one's own community, right? You see, the magnnitude of one's 'virtue' is measured by one's expression of poutrage. We learned it in kindergarten - "my daddy can beat up your daddy."

[earth mom]

23. I am outraged about what Obama said and I take great offense to people here on DU

telling me my feelings and opinion about it don't matter and that I should not have posted a thread about it.

Maybe this incident isn't that important to YOU or others, but I'm not going to shut up just because you all don't like it or because you don't think it's important.

And BTW-if what Obama said is not all that important and a non issue, then why in the hell are all of you posting threads and replying to the discussion about it in the first place?! :wtf:

[TahitiNut]

25. "If you don't like it, tough."

:eyes:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

29. Awwww.

That's so sad.

:nopity:

[Regret My New Name]

51. I too find it offensive when people have different opinions than me

I mean, wtf?

[Coyote_Bandit]

24. The comment was more than

thoughtless and insensitive. It implied a sense of bigotry (imagine if the comment had referenced race or gender or sexual preference instead of disability). I'm sure that wasn't intentional. It's unfortunate that the President allowed himself to be put in a position where he could be judged by such spontaneous and unscripted commentary.

The late night talk show appearance was inappropriate IMHO. The president can get broadcast time when he requires it in order to communicate with the citizens - and can choose the manner in which he communicates (speech, interview, presentation with supporting documents/evidence, etc). Why should the president put himself in a position where he is responding to questions from any talk show host? I'd rather the president lead than entertain. Given the nature of the problems currently facing our nation, I'd rather he appear serious and preoccupied with solving those challenges.

Like it or not, both the comment and the appearance are a reflection of judgment and character. I find the comment offensive and the appearance inappropriate.

[WI_DEM]

26. "the comment and the appearance are a relection of judgement and character"

and you certainly have never said anything mildly un PC in your life have you? as for the appearance what a bunch of stuck up nonsense. The only thing about Obama appearing on late night TV I didn't like was it was on Leno and not Letterman. I'm glad you are parroting people like Michelle Bachman and Bohner who said the same thing about the president being on Leno! He should be in Washington solving this mess! Like Obama hasn't been working his ass off especially compared to the jackass who we had before him. Some people around here are nuts--it takes 8 years to cause this mess and they expect Obama to have it cleaned up in two months.

[Coyote_Bandit]

36. My beliefs

and my opinion are my own. I do not require your validation and could care less whether or not you agree.

Obama is human - that means he is not perfect, does not walk on water and makes mistakes. Get over it. What people say, how they act and the choices they make are a reflection of their judgment and character. You'd likely be willing to acknowledge that if we were talking about a cheating spouse instead of a beloved political leader.

[WI_DEM]

37. Yes, but you are perfect. You said this was a "reflection of his character and judgement"

nobody said he "walks on water" that is just another typical comeback from the primaries from supporters of other candidates against Obama supporters. I and others here have said it was a stupid, off hand thing to say but it was hardly a reflection of the man's character. Yes, you have your own beliefs and apparently you are quick to make reflections about the character of other people.

[Coyote_Bandit]

43. Oh please

The primaries are over.

Get the fuck over it.

[WI_DEM]

45. you're the one who brought it up lecturing me that he doesn't "walk on water"

when did I ever say he did? You say he's human, which he is, and makes mistakes, but then you say what he said and did was a "reflection of his character and judgement." Those are the words I take exception with.

[Coyote_Bandit]

48. Exception noted

You don't have to agree with me - and we don't have to reach some consensus mutual opinion. I'm allowed to think what I want - without your validation or approval. And I do think that both the comment and the appearance were a reflection of judgment and character.

I think words, conduct and choices are a reflection of judgment and character. You apparently dispute that. And that is exactly what we are discussing - words which were spoken during an appearance which was voluntarily chosen. Does using disparaging labels (e.g., calling someone a "retard" or a n*****) to refer to individuals or groups reflect on character or judgment? What about repeating stereotypes? Does the act of stealing or destroying the property of others reflect on character or judgment? What about choosing to spend one's last dollar on booze, drugs or lottery tickets instead of food for a hungry child? It is clear to me that words, conduct and choices are a reflection of judgment and character. Again, you do not have to agree.

Yes, sometimes, folks slip up and inadvertently make mistakes. A pattern of conduct is certainly more indicative of character and judgment than a single incident - but that does not excuse the words, conduct and choices of any single incident. It only takes one lie to make a liar. Only one infidelity to make a betrayal. One theft to make a thief. One careless disparaging comment to create a perception that one is bigoted and arrogant.

You're entitled to your opinion. I don't have to agree.

[RaleighNCDUer]

27. What, exactly, did he say? I missed the news, I don't watch Leno,

and I can't play video at work - anybody got a transcription?

[WI_DEM]

30. here (unfiltered)

Mr Obama’s lack of bowling skills, demonstrated during the election campaign, also threatened his credibility with the all-important blue collar union-member crowd.

“I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down,” said Leno.

“No, no,” replied the President. “I have been practicing... I bowled a 129.”

“That’s very good, Mr President,” said Leno.

And then it happened. Amid laughter, Mr Obama quipped, “It’s like - it was like the Special Olympics, or something.” And in the instant he said it, you could see a flash of realisation in his eyes: I’ve just mocked the disabled. On live TV.

Within minutes of the show going on air, the President's team were furiously clarifying the situation. “The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics,” Bill Burton, a White House spokesman, told reporters aboard Air Force One on the flight back to Washington.

He added that the President “thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world".
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5942677.ece

[RaleighNCDUer]

41. Thank you.

I can see where the remark came from, and don't think it is worth the brouhaha.

[lamp_shade]

32. There's very little about this on TV. All the noise is here at DU.

[WI_DEM]

33. As usual.

[donheld]

35. He only said it to see if he could cause

1000 threads to be started on DU about it. Thanks to you it's working.

[DollyM]

50. I really enjoyed him on Jay Leno . . .

I heard that comment and grimaced because I knew there would be a firestorm to follow. We have all made off hand comments from time to time that meant nothing but the problem is that his every world is going to be scrutinized. I would hate to be in his shoes, I would be in trouble all the time. But aside from that, I thought his session on Jay Leno was wonderful, he came across as the down to earth person that he is. And really, I understand some of his proposals for the first time that I wasn't entirely understanding in his town hall meetings. It was more personal and one on one with Jay Leno and when he explained his proposals in this way, it all made sense. I would say forget fireside chats and just let him go on Leno whenever he needs to explain the state of the union!

[Catherine Vincent]

38. I just read about that in the Houston Chronicle

I am surprised Obama would say that, he should know better but I am glad they quickly apologized.

[gulliver]

40. He has apologized...heartfelt and offered amends. This man...

...is a leader. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=7129997&page=1

[soleiri]

47. my 2 cents

It’s cultural and that’s hard to change. When someone does something poorly or does something that the other person thinks is stupid, they are called retarded or they say that the act itself was retarded. I’ve been doing my best to education my own children, and I’ve noticed them educating their friends not to use those words. The fact that President Obama used Special Olympics when speaking of his bowling isn’t in my opinion showing a lack of sensitivity as much as it is being part of this culture. He apologized and I’m sure he’s now more sensitive to the issue.

[Nye Bevan]

52. He screwed up badly. He apologised right away. End of story.

The DUers twisting themselves into knots defending him are just making themselves look stupid. Memo to these people: Obama is not God. He is not even infallible like the Pope. He is just a very, very good president, doing an excellent job cleaning up the mess left by his moron of a predecessor. You don;t need to jump to his defense over every little gaffe. You still did the right thing in voting for him. :-)