Obama and Special Olympics: A Teachable Moment
In the Bill Murray movie “Stripes,” the 1981 comedy about two 30-something friends who decide to join the Army, there’s a scene early in the movie leading up to their enlistment in which the Murray character realizes what horrible shape he’s in. As he tries to do some pushups, his friend, played by Harold Ramis, delivers the line, “That’s one. I think you’re ready for the Special Olympics.”
I cite that, because until Barack Obama’s appearance on the “Tonight” show last night, when he was trying to describe his slowly improving bowling skills, I hadn’t heard another attempt to mention the Special Olympics as a laugh line. It was definitely funnier in the movie.
Having said that, as the parent of a special needs child, I have a pretty thick skin about casual bad taste comments one occasionally hears referencing the handicapped. Comedy should usually be left to the professionals (at least that’s what people tell ME all the time when I try to be funny) and the President made a gaffe as he went for the laugh. Hell, maybe he was quoting from “Stripes.” In any case, he shouldn’t have said it. But he apologized, I think he knows he put his foot in his mouth, and anyone trying to make more political hay out of it than that is just being, well, political.
As it happens, his comedy misfire comes at an opportune time. In eleven days, the Special Olympics is launching a campaign to get young people to stop using the word “retard,” which has become something of an all-purpose putdown for many. You can read more about it here.
If the head of Special Olympics can frame the gaffe that way, then I think I can, too.
P.S. Here’s something that helped me end the work week with a laugh. Here’s a sign I saw outside a church in East Harlem today:
“Don’t Make Me Come Down There!” -God
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Comments: 25
Obama's comment was despicably and disgusting. I wonder what would happen if President Bush made that comment? You better believe that the liberals would be looking for Bush to resign. Its amazing what this so called President Obama gets away with.
The President is human. Don't make an issue where there isn't one. Thought is was good he went on late night TV & a few hours away from m white house will not hurt anything. People are just so over the top. Bless all those with a special needs child.
Everybody on late talk shows be saying things that aren't always good, but it was wrong, he apoligize, get over it, ppl are just waiting for obama to do something wrong.
As the father of an autistic son, I cringe every time I hear a slur against the handicapped, usually from `enlightened' people such as Obama. But these sorry individuals will never know the unconditional love my son gives to his family. He hates no one, has no feelings of prejudice and only wants all the `normal' people around him to be always be happy.
I believe President Obama's statement has been taken out of contents. He was talking about his poor skills in bowling.Today being so politically correct has made us stupid. We should get sentative about saving the earth. Enough already.
I believe President Obama's statement has been taken out of contents. He was talking about his poor skills in bowling.Today being so politically correct has made us stupid. We should get sentative about saving the earth. Enough already.
Waiting for him to do something wrong? As i see it, its 2 months filled with mistakes. Hes a bum and deserves to be exposed as the bum he is
dear jim.....
thank you for coming out to say what you did. i, too, am the parent of a special needs child, as my son is mentally slow.
i didn't vote for mr. obama.... but when he won, i decided to sit back and watch a bit before forming an opinion. as the last 2 months have gone by, i'd started to like him, and felt he was very bright, and eager to help all americans. i was also not panicked over the economy, even though i am a single mom, with a dead beat husband, and i have 3 kids that i support basically alone, and was almost one who lost a home to foreclosure and was saved at the last hour by an offer ( which was 300 grand under market value, but took it so as to be able to pay off the mortgage, and hold onto what little credit i still had left ), and have no medical insurance, but the president had a soothing way about him, and so, i sit and wait for better times to come.
i was rather enjoying his appearance on the tonite show, but then, heard his comment on bowling and relating it to special olympics. my 1st reaction was horror, and then anger. anger that this appearingly smart man could actually be so callous as to think of his bowling skills as equal to a special olympian. after stewing over it for an hour or so, i calmed down, and realized, as you did, that it was a truly honest mistake, as people without special needs children can sometimes be jaded about the term 'special'. i was glad to see that he apologized, as i actually saw him become uncomfortable after his remark, thinking he probably realized that he made a HUGE mistake. when the show went to commercial.... i feel it would have behooved the president to immediately state he'd made an error, and apologized on the spot. that would have alleviated all of this.
live and learn, and the president just learned a valuable lesson - THINK before you speak.
thank you for addressing the needs of 'our' children, jim. bless you and yours in all you do.
robbin gordon
President Obama didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. He just used a bad choice of words. I am sure he let his guard down on TV, and didn't realize what he said. I think everyone is making too much of it.
Give our Prez a break. Everyone is making a shout out about this. The Prez is always under a microscope. I think it's because, some people have nothing else to think about, so they think in the negative. Get a life!
I am disgusted at the news media - making such a big deal over an off hand comment regarding a poor bowling score. It seems that they are just waiting to jump on any misstep by the president.
He is a caring man who is trying to get our country out of a gigantic mess left from the last 8 years.
completely uncalled for. the man in the HIGHEST office should not make the LOWEST of comments
completely uncalled for. the man in the HIGHEST office should not make the LOWEST of comments
the man in the HIGHEST office should know not to make the LOWEST of comments
the man in the HIGHEST office should know not to make the LOWEST of comments
I really like the title of this blog entry, Jim. Back last year, when some dim-bulb radio host made controversial statements about autism, the reaction seemed to be largely one of hurt, with plenty of protests against the broadcaster that carried him. Even back then, I thought such comments were, in a way, a "gift" to advocates for autism awareness. All they needed to do is exploit the outrage over his (obviously wrong) comments to spread the word about what they do. Nothing motivates people like a good villain. That time around, I think they missed the opportunity.
Here is a much milder instance of the same phenomenon. The president's joke was actually one that any typical American might indulge in, but it highlights assumptions about the Special Olympics that are wrong, as CW11 ably demonstrated by profiling a few 300 bowlers. The Special Olympics will be able to capitalize on this incident (with Obama's full cooperation, I'm sure) to get much more attention for their cause.
Those young people who participate in the Special Olympics have certainly given me encouragement to try something I think I can't possible do. Their smiles while participating make me feel good all over. God bless each and every one of them.
By putting his foot in his mouth, Obama has shown he, too, is human. Let us continue to support him, as our President, and as a human being.
Seriously, so what if the President made some stupid joke? Believe it or not, this is how people talk in everyday conversation and Obama is no different. This politically correct crap has gotten way, WAY out of hand and now you can't even blow your nose without someone getting offended. What if Obama said something like, "Oh, I woke up this morning, opened up my lungs and took in a deep breath of fresh air" would that have been offensive to asthmatics? Give me a break, there are far more serious things that demand our attention than this.
All I can say is, I bowl like an Obama.
Mr.Obama's comment about Special Olympics was not to offend anyone. He was making a remark that HE was not a good bowler. I cannot believe all the nonsense this one remark has caused, and how people can take offense to something so innocent.
The news media, and everyone else should lighten up for Pete's sake! The President is a sensitive man, and would not willingly hurt anyone's feelings. He also is smart enough to know that the powers beyond would make a real mess out of any words that were spoken by him.
Everybody has a "story". Anyone could have a sick child with "special needs". This does not mean that Mr Obama insulted them. He just made a comment in jest about himself. Geez!!!!!
If Michael Savage's monologue on over-diagnosis of autism failed to get the public to "spread the word about what they (autism advocates) do", perhaps it was because their message got drowned by the venom spewed at him in the resulting blind liberal rage. The differential reactions are just part of a double standard; note that Savage's explanation w/o apology was inadequate for Jim on July 21, 2008, while Obama's reversed reaction is a cool "teachable moment". Does anyone actually believe that if GW Bush had said the very same thing, we would not be seeing citizens' marches on the White House and Pelosi, Frank, Schumer and Reid calling for his censure?
Though this is not about Savage, I do believe that his misstep was more a "teaching" opportunity than Obama's because of questions it raised about the medical and pharmaceutical industries. The current teaching talk, along with forthcoming White House invitations, is all about damage control and photo-ops. Mark my words - cameras will soon be rolling on Pres. Obama playing AND THROWING a game of one-on-one or H.O.R.S.E. with a Special Olympics kid! This Leno gaffe was a simple faux pas by an overly relaxed guest on a comedian's stage - nothing more. Let's drop it, but the first person he SHOULD have apologized to was Pam Shriver, whom he'd seen earlier in the day and whose mother established the Special Olympics. Now, back to that troubled economy of ours.
Ignorance, plain IGNORANCE, whether it's the president, the guy next door, or Joe Shmo, people should think before they speak.
We all say things at times that may insult or bother some people. We may not even realize it. If you are a "regular guy", it can be blown off, if you are the President, it's a big deal. It shouldn't be, but it is, because of the news media and others who like to prey on this kind of stuff.
All you so-called Angry Bloggers who are replying about what President Obama said, trust me it is not the first time and surely will not be the last time you will hear a joke like that. So get over it already, it is starting to seem as though the anger is more personal than to the situation. He is quite an intelligent man and our President. I know he did not mean to hurt anyone. All you parents of special needs children need to have tougher skin because you were the chosen ones by God to have these children, and he will not give you more than what you can handle. In that case maybe you all are angry with God too.....
Good discussion!