It seemed like a harmless remark.
In an appearance Thursday night on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," President Barack Obama made a joke about his lackluster bowling skills by saying: "It was like Special Olympics or something."
But the comment caused an immediate stir in Washington and around the nation.
Appearing at the White House after meeting with Obama to discuss roads and bridges, California Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he knew Obama meant nothing by it.
"I know where his heart is at," said Schwarzenegger, who considers the Special Olympics his favorite charity, appearing at major competitions and raising money around the world. "He loves Special Olympics, and he will do everything he can to help Special Olympics. And every one of us sometimes makes a mistake. Something comes out of your mouth and you say, 'Oops, I wish I wouldn't have said that.' I've had many of those."
Earlier in the day, California first lady Maria Shriver - whose mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics movement in 1968 - said that while she was confident Obama didn't intend to offend anyone, the remark "demonstrates the need to continue to educate the non-disabled community on the issues that confront those with a developmental disability."
Alaska Republican Gov. Sarah Palin said she was "shocked to learn" about Obama's comment.
"This was a degrading remark about our world's most precious and unique people, coming from the most powerful position in the world," said Palin, whose son, Trig, was born with Down syndrome last year. "These athletes overcome more challenges, discrimination and adversity than most of us ever will."
"By the way, these athletes can outperform many of us and we should be proud of them," said Palin, who appeared in a video promoting this year's winter Special Olympics games in Boise, Idaho. "I hope President Obama's comments do not reflect how he truly feels about the special needs community."
The White House sought to explain Obama's comment by calling it "an offhand remark."
"The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics," said White House spokesman Bill Burton. "He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."
Obama issued his apology to Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver, the brother of Maria Shriver. Timothy Shriver said Obama "was sincere and heartfelt" in his apology, but added, "Words hurt and words matter."
Shriver, noting that Special Olympics operates more than 30,000 events a year in more than 180 countries, said Obama's comments provided "a teachable moment for our country."
In a statement, Maria Shriver said her mother had dedicated her life "to fighting stereotypes and ridicule for this community, and there is still much work to be done."
"The president's apology for his comments and his commitment to bringing the Special Olympics to the White House are important first steps in shedding light on this important issue," she said. "Oftentimes we don't realize that when we laugh at comments like this it hurts millions of people throughout the world. People with special needs are great athletes and productive citizens, and I look forward to working with the president to knock down myths and stereotypes about this community."
29 comments:
We all say things that we don’t mean. Comments like that are said every day and nothing comes of it. He apologized and contributes to the cause.
Obama the smooth talker finally tripped over his own words. I thought this whole situation was really funny. I mean the Ringer the movie which was indorsed by the Special Olympics. They say the public has a messed of view of them but that movie was not any worse than Obama's comment.
I can understand both sides of the story. But I am really impressed by Obama's apology. And really, who of us has not made a careless remark? On the other hand, words do hurt and do have consequences. But everyone makes mistakes and the ability to confess and move on displays great maturity. I am continuing to hope for the best for our President and our great nation!
I don't think anyone is an advocate of making fun of people who participate in special olympics, so I don't see why people are making such a big deal out of this. I mean, if anything, it shows that Obama is just as human as the rest of us, and while maybe it's a remark that he should have thought about first, but we voted him in.
I find it amusing that so many Americans say things like this every day, and no one gets on to them. No one can be perfect, and President Obama is no different. Everyone is going to have a slip up like that sooner or later. The only difference is the publicity they recieve. While I agree that the President and other public officials should more closely monitor their words than laypeople, when they do slip up, it would be best just to leave it at that. However, if such comments, become commonplace for that person, the media should rip them to shreds. Currently, there are bigger fish to fry in a world of predjudices.
I am so tired of Sarah Palin...People need to lay off President Obama. His offhand remark though a faux pas should not be taken at face value. It is really unnecessary to pick on everything the President says. President Obama and his cabinet are working around the clock to fix the mess we're in, and he should be allowed to make fun of himself. I agree with Maria Shriver and Governor S. Obama did not mean to insult the Special Olympics...period.
Obama's comment about the special olympics was offensive, but it wasn't like he siad it in an important meeting, he was on Leno, a funny show, if Jay had cracked the joke on special olympics nobody would have throught about it for more than a minute.
i think that people are flying off the handle with this remark, yeah i kinda dont think he should said it, but people have to remember that he is human and humans make mistakes, even if he is president.
I thought it was pretty hilarious. President Obama was making fun of himself, not the Special Olympics. I can see where the joke can be miscontrued as an insult to mentally challenged athletes, and I therefore can see where the joke becomes a taboo thing for the President to be saying, especially on national television.
The fact of the matter is this: It was an innocent slip of the tongue, and a funny one at that. Funny because it made fun of Obama's terrible bowling skills (not the S.O.).
I am disappointed in Obama's slip. Hopefully it really doesn't reflect his true opinions. What he said was inappropriate, but shouldn't condemn him. It was a slip and should not be dwelt on. Anyone can have the kind of mess-up that Obama had. I personally watched "The Tonight Show" on the night Obama was on, and didn't even notice that he had made a comment about the Special Olympics at all-there was no tremendous applause, laughter, or any kind of drum-roll to congratulate him on his "joke". It should not be forgotten, but it should not be dwelt upon-it was wrong, but it was a mistake.
Speaking of not saying the right thing Sarah Palin, we all remember when you weren't briefed on the name of a single newspaper that you "read".
When reading this post I was filled with rage. The comments used to defend his "simile" are stating very clearly that he is sorry, but speech is irreversible and him as the major person of power in America makes it all the more worse. The White House saying he was meaning only to describe his lack of skills in bowling just makes it EVEN MORE worse. He used the Special Olympics as the word to describe his lack of skills which to me is not right. I agree with Palin, those people who are in the Special Olympics go through every obstacle just to do some of the things they do, which people need to know. I truly believe he only wants to bring the Special Olympics to our attention in order to cover his remark. I'm pretty sure he had no intention on making known if he had not stated the remark.
~Isaac
obamas commment was a simple mistake, i know i have had those time where i just say 'your mom' when i dont mean it of course, he was just trying to get a giggle out of everyone and everyone has more than once called eah other a 'retard' which we all know when it comes down to it is a mean comment but people do it anyway, just cause hes the prez doesnt mean its any different.
Oh my gosh. Would somebody just give this guy a break. I know everyone thinks that he is some immortal being but come on, he is a human and we make mistakes. Lets get real, which one of us has NOT made a special, racist, or predjiduce joke. We all know that this guy meant nothing by the remark. I dont agree with some of the things he stands for, but he is a good guy and he is not trying to slam special people. I know he is the president of the U.S. and he is held to a higher standard than most people, but come on! This is a remark that everyone has made at some point, and most people meant nothing of. So like I said at the beggining, will somebody please give this guy a break.
Everyone says thing they wish they could take back so I really dont think what Obama said is a really big deal. We know he didnt mean any harm by it and probably feels terrible about it. I just think we need to get over this small comment.
I'm really tired with people making such a big deal about this comment. It was just a mistake, obviously this does not reflect his views about people with disabilities. Comments like this are made every day and there is a good chance that you have made a remark very similar to this in your lifetime. Obama just made a mistake and I am sure that he is genuinely sorry about what he said and deeply regrets it. That is more to say than most people who make offensive comments and never apologize for what they say.
It was just a joke. i dont think it shouldn't have been taken that serious. people say things like that everyday. people just made a big deal about it because it was the president and the spotlight was on him. had anybody else said it i dont think they wouldv'e been taken that seriously.
If anyone besides Barack Obama had said this, it would be completely overlooked and no one would have cared. It's just that people are constantly analyzing everything he says looking for something that they can nail him on. He made a mistake. He shouldn't be judged for it and he shouldn't have to issue an official apology. He obviously wasn't trying to offend anyone. It's kind of sad that the president can't even make a joke without being criticized.
You know, considering Palin doesn't even fully understand the position she was running for in the white house, she should probably keep public criticism of the president to a minimum. Sure, that was an ignorant remark. Many people make them day to day. That doesn't make that attitude ok, but it is something the entire nation needs to work on. You can't crucify the president for a mistake you probably make daily yourself. I don't want him to be so concerned with what he'll say on late night shows that he can't do his job. His actions are more important to me than the way Sarah Palin portrays him to the media.
Looking at both sides of the story, I can tell why saying something that is considered disparaging towards the Special Olypics could cause an uprising. President Obama , I think, didn't mean anything by the comment. It was just a innocent mistake. Who on this earth has not made a comment they wished to take back? No one. I believe there are consequences for what you say and, of coarse, they hurt people. However, apologizing and admitting that what you did was wrong takes great courage.
our government book predicted it!
Although President Obama was making fun of himself, not the Special Olympics, it was still very inapporprate to say even joking around. I also understand the Obama is a human being jus like everyone else, but he does need to watch his mouth and what come out if it, especially on national television, becuase he is the person who represents our nation.
It was just an attempt at cheap humor from Obama. I think it's a bit a overdoing it the fuss that was made on his comment, he's still just a human, representative of our country...but he's still human.
Obama has nothing to worry about. The public should be use to lowering its standards enough to let this little mistake go unnoticed. I mean its not like words mean anything anyways right?
I think people need to calm down. He isn't hating on the Special Olympics, it was just a casual slip of the tongue. He is actually human, believe it or not. Sarah Palin is just looking for another excuse to remain relevant. Just another reason for me to hate this hypocritical woman.
Quote...
- Sarah Palin said she was "shocked to learn" -
Don't you feel sorry for her? She goes so many days without thinking and then someone forces her to give her opinion on an issue. Honestly, I'm surprised she didn't fall down or suffer a heart attack.
I agree.. I dont think President Obama should have said this, but everyone says something they shouldnt have. I know hes not against the Special Olympics, but it could still be pretty offensive to most people..At least he apologized, and the media should leave it at that.
I personally dont think Obama was making fun of the special Olympics. I mean I get why everyone is so upset but really, get over it eveyone has slip ups and say things they really dont mean. I dont think anyone should use this against him.
We all say ALOT of things we don't mean.. Yes, he is the President and needs to watch what he says but this was a simple mistake that offended many. He apologized and is now contributing to something he may or may not have planned on before he said this. we all make mistakes.
i dont think people should make such a big deal about this. It was a simple mistake yes it shouldnt have been said but who doesnt make mistakes.
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