Obama Apologizes to Special Olympics for Bowling Joke

He shouldn't have gone on this show. All it did was get him criticized.

Alright here I go, first of all who does this guy think he is? going on Leno in the first place( he's not a moviestar, didn't write a smash hit single, never saved a life. In fact to all of the obamainiacs this probably just hightened their obssession with the man, "oh my god he's on Leno" The president is supposed to serve the American people, not appear on primetime and crack "special" jokes not even haphazardly. Can you say public discrimination? from the President's mouth...shaking head

This is hilarious! I expect shock jocks, Republicans, lol, and generally anyone who is not liberal PCers to do something like this. lol. But, no, it's the chosen one. lol. No big deal because I found the joke rather funny. I am nasty like that. But, hey, who would have ever thought Obama the chosen liberal would be like me? Oh, I can't wait for my sister to explain this away. She is an Obamatron, and for her if you are Republican, or a Libertarian, or a Constitutionalist, you are devil's spawn. lol. Never fear, this will not hurt Obama or his devotees. Even when the price of everthing soars after this stimulus package becomes reality, people like her will explain it away. It's George Bush's fault! Sort of like the Bushies blaming so many things on Clinton long after he was no longer allowed to run again and blame it all on Republicans. But let me stay on topic here. Really, this gaff by Obama, it's what happens when the chosen one speaks without a teleprompter. George Bush played the idiot. Obama plays the intellect who doesn't know what is going on. All the same. Dance puppets DANCE. Fool the most people and you will succeeed to live a wonderful life later on.

Anymore Insults and someone gets warned

Semper

My gosh...even I could have made that joke and I love special people. Seriously, this is way over blown. If a camera were on us (and we are not important) I guarantee you that we make this mistake once or twice. This is a man that has media around him 24/7 and any blunders will be made news worthy. I don't care for the man in any shape or form. I will tell you what I will do though, I will watch everything from here on out. If there is a pattern in his speech then I will worry about his lame brain. Until then, let's just remember how many times we have said something that we wish we didn't.

A special olympics bowler has challenged President Obama to a match!
SI.com
I can't believe he made fun of retarded people!
Like he didn't have 100 writers for any situation!

... with all the issues and other crap going on, I don't know why people focus on stupid stuff like this.

I heard this and worse every day at work. From normal people. Which tells me what? Oh yea.. Obama is moreso a normal person than an elitist politician with his own agenda.

It was a stupid comment, but it's not a huge deal, leave it to people to blow it 19,000 times out of proportion.

As far as going on the show proper, I'm sure it wasn't something he thought of. It's a carefully considered, and approved move by his administration. There is a purpose for it well above to just appear on the Leno show.

Originally posted by amazed

Originally posted by Swatman


only reason they are inviting special olympics to the white house is to spin control that obama actually cared about them. dam are you unintelligent or do you just wake up bowing to a picture of obama jesus?

Edited for clarity

Ok, I have said this on other threads, I will say it again. The only people I have ever heard calling Obama anything other than a HUMAN, are people who really seem to be "haters" of him. Why is that?

Gotta keep the hate going. Obama is a HUMAN MAN, nothing else.

I am sending out a question. Does ANYONE believe Obama is anything more than a human man?

I don't.

With the economy as it is, you guys are looking in the wrong direction for something to be upset at. Rush has said far more nasty things than Obama's joke, which was not appropriate I agree. He did make a gaffe. I would guess none of you have ever made a gaffe?

Peace

Yes, he is a "Human Man", but you need to understand something, Obama
is the "freaking" President of the United states of America. At one point, before THIS "village idiot" held the office, the Presidency stood for something!!

I would expect such a low-brow comment from some drunk at the local tavern, not the President of our country! He has absolutely no class, or common sense!!

As for his apology. What a half-ass attempt that was. He should of apologized to Jay and his audience a few moments after it happened, not on Air force One after his people TOLD him he screwed up!! Kind of like his
apology for guns and religion. I believe that apology went " If I offended someone?" IF??? That's not an apology people!



[edit on 21-3-2009 by paxnatus]

Originally posted by Swatman


keith olbermann brought it up and said, "he was in a social environment, its ok". but blood would be shooting out of his eyes had a republican made the joke.

LOL, you forget to mention that after the Blood Shoots out of his Eyes, his Fangs would descend, his ears would Point out, and his voice would make Darth Vader sound like a Squeaky pre-teen.


Seriously though, I did find President Obama's comments offensive.

I DO understand that I might toss forth such a joke with a group of close friends, and I would not hold such against someone if they did the same.

HOWEVER, this is OUR LEADER, the PRESIDENT, and he was speaking in a PUBLIC forum. Therefore, he absolutely MUST watch his words, and not tread over the American people in this offensive manner.

At times before I have run into individuals who have made jokes which I completely deemed offensive, and it often emanated from the fact that they were either Nervous, and/or they somehow felt they were a Close Friend of mine, when in all reality they were not. I do believe that before you engage in such comments, you need to know your audience, and your audience needs to know you (On a Close, Friendship basis).

As an example, a Police Officer in a Supervisory Position once came into my house to discuss with my parents an issue we had with a particular Officer (Who practically abused a family member). The LEO in our house must have been nervous, and in a weak attempt at humor, he made a joke about Jews and Blacks. Well, we found it highly offensive to say the least, but even worse was the fact that sitting right behind him was my sister's friend, a Jewish girl. To say the least my Mother kicked him out of the house, but it is a PRIME example of how certain jokes can only be reserved for Close, and/or Intimate Individuals, and they are in NO WAY, SHAPE, or FORM appropriate in the Public Arena.

The Bottom Line is that President Obama continues to screw up with the Offensive Gaffes. From the Snow Comments about Washingtonians being "Weak, unlike Chicagoans", to the Stumbling speech in which he spoke upon "Asthma Patients Taking up Hospital Room Beds", and in regards to this Latest and Greatest of "mistakes", President Obama actually brings forth the realization that President Bush THOUGHT before he spoke.

reply to post by fleabit



This little stuff is adding up.

Comparing AIG to a suicide bomber

Giving the British PM a dvd box set as a Presidential gift

Snubbing the troops at a troop meet and greet to play basketball

and now this.

Its like drinking a bunch of mini liquer bottles. Drink enough of them and they add up to a big bottle.

it's not really a big deal. sure it's tasteless, but haven't we all said mean things now and then by accident?

Some MSM sources said on Friday, this past week has been Obama's worst week as President, criticizing him for air time on TV, town hall meetings, and an appearance on Jay Leno, along with this gaff. I have to agree.

Man-oh-man, they should keep this man in Washington/away from the media as much as possible next week, just to let some of the air clear.

Originally posted by Swatman


then tell me why it isnt front page news?

TELL ME.

Why would this be front page news.
Personally, I thought that the comment was funny.
People are waaaaay too sensitive about stuff.
Honestly, so much PC is like being super-censored.
I don't understand why people don't let stuff like this slide.
We have all made retard jokes (even if some here will say that they haven't).

Stop giving so much importance to things that are not so. (I mean it for everyone in general, not aimed at you).

Originally posted by lombozo
All I can say is "C'mon people. You must be joking." The man was poking fun at HIMSELF. I am the parent of a special needs child who will never be self sufficient, nor will he be able to be the next super sports hero. I say this for a reason. I will die for my son in less than a heartbeat if it will help him. I am quite sensitive to any remarks made regarding those who are 'special'. Do I take offense at President Obama's remark. NO. Not even a little bit.

Great comment !

BTW...does anyone know if bowling is part of the Special Olympics' sports?
If not, it would be a great opportunity to make it.

[edit on 3/21/2009 by haika]

reply to post by haika


I said that for a while. But it doesn't seem to cut it, his being the head of state of the United States.

As Bill Maher said... this is the side show to the side show...

What are the real issues again?

I remember the good old day when things that actually mattered made the news. Now, the president makes a mildly-offensive joke (yes, a freaking joke, implying he didn't actually mean anything by it) about his bowling skills and its splattered across the front page. What is this world coming to?

What's worse?

Obama smacking down the challenged? or

This:
www.youtube.com...

A serious topic like Iran gets an answer that humiliates America to it's core.

Obama may tell jokes, but the real joke is the type of rude, degrading response as in the short clip linked to above.

Oh get over it ATS, as if ALL OF US haven't said something along the same lines at some point.

This is stupid... Especially when I have read a few posts from a select few who seem to
harbor bigoted sentiments casting stones... I am a lefty and I might say the same thing because it is in line with my sense of humor.

I think it was funny

YA so toss stones and defend shot "CHIMPS"

its a joke jesus christ
why cant people in power make jokes now??
being president is the worst job in the world
your working 24/7 no holidays scrutinised for every little thing you do and say
and aperntly your not aloud to make jokes now either