Comments on: Obama’s Special Olympics’ faux pas

By: Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:12:51 +0000

He shouldn’t have said what he said about comparing his lucky (bowling) strike to being in the Special Olympics.

By: Eric Jackson

Eric Jackson — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 01:10:50 +0000

He shouldn’t have said what he said about being the Special Olympics.

By: BILL BO

BILL BO — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:02:27 +0000

EVERY PERSON HERE that says no one should be getting on Barry Soetoro for this, is a lying, two faced ignoramus!
Had it been ANY person who is PRO-American, PRO-Family, or GOD FORBID, PRO-GOD, The same exact people would be screaming foul until, well, until they stopped getting attention. And odds are, they are the same exact people who despise Sarah Palin for absolutely no reason at all, except that she is kind to children, family, America and GOD!
Why don’t you all pack up and head back to whatever tyrannical country your blood came from over the pond, and let FREEDOM REIGN!

By: Jon Ferris

Jon Ferris — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:44:41 +0000

As much as I disrespect Obama and his administration thus far, I must clear up one fact that you and many others (including Rush Limbaugh) are stretching just a little bit. The crowd DID NOT react to the ’special olympics’ quip. In fact, I bet the majority of the live audience did not even catch Mr. Obama saying it. The wild laughter you hear from the crowd at that point in the interview is clearly a reaction to Leno putting his hand over his mouth while making fun of Mr. Obama’s 129 score. There was absolutely no discernable reaction to Mr. Obama’s special olympic line. Re-watch it once or twice on Youtube and you will clearly see this.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:07:18 +0000

I have nothing but respect and admiration for the Special Olympics, but the president is human like everyone else. Most people have made some reference similar to the one he made. I don’t feel it was anything against the organization. I’m overweight, but don’t take “fat jokes” personally. Everyone should back off and let him breathe. He inherited a mess and needs time to repair things. He did say things would get worse before they got better. I’m all for being politically correct, but people need to use a little common sense. I just feel like everyone just “looks” for mistkes people in the public eye make. EVERYONE makes mistakes and sometimes things sound harsher when said that when thought. Sure, he should not have said that but I don’t feel he singled anyone out. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for listening.

By: Dr. Leah McLellan

Dr. Leah McLellan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:30:09 +0000

Anon, should “nappy headed hoes” be something people should “get over?”

By: Dr. Leah McLellan

Dr. Leah McLellan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:29:01 +0000

To Darrell,
I worked in the field for over 25 years. And you are so wrong on so many levels. To begin with, you falsely claim that NO mentally challenged people would be offended unless someone who wasn’t so disabled told them. I submit, that isn’t so. The MAJORITY of people with mental retardation are MILDLY mentally retarded. They can and most assuredly DO comprehend an off-handed insult. Don’t you think it rather strange he would use Special Olympics as a way to “insult himself?”

Sugar coat it as you will, it’s still wrong.

By: Dr. Leah McLellan

Dr. Leah McLellan — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:25:22 +0000

As President of the United States, Obama made more than a minor faux pas. He set a negative example. Supposedly this was the election of the young- young who supposedly look up to this man. So, when he demeans the capabilities of those who participate in Special Olympics and makes light of their medical condition in so doing, one has to ask: what example is he setting?

I have worked for many years, professionally and personally, to help educate people about those with mental retardation. I feel as though the President has sent the movement for social respect and acceptance back many years. They’re not a joke. They’re people, like you and I, but with particular needs.

By: bill

bill — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:49:27 +0000

When the TelePrompter is off, the real Obama comes out. Remember people in small towns clinging to guns and religion? Now, he says what he really thinks about people with developmental disabilities. He is shameful. If he knew it was inappropriate, why didn’t he correct himself on Leno’s show? The reason is the real Obama came out — and it was only after his handlers got a hold of him that he “apologized” … lame as it was.
His handlers’ explanation was lame as well … call it an “offhand remark” and it makes it not important. Give me a break.
The TelePrompter-in-Chief is lost without it and his real stripes come out.

By: Terry P

Terry P — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:44:14 +0000

What a fortunate gaffe for Special Olympics. Now, Obama will be especially sensitive to the needs of the disabled in this country. I can only guess that it’ll be great for our special athletes.