President Obama, was talking about his bowling a 129 game, Jay Leno remarked that it was good. Our President, Mr. “I’m for the poor, down trodden, minorities, and special interest groups” said: “Like the Special Olympics or something.”
Let me ask, did he have the bumpers up so the ball would not go in the gutter? Did he use one of the special devices that allow those that are physically unable, to stand and roll a ball?
Yes I am a father of a special needs child. I also work with the Special Olympics since it started again in Richmond County last spring. I believe, in the grand scheme of things this mistake is very small compared to the majority of the decisions Obama has made, but perhaps it deserves one of the largest apologies.
Chris Smith
Rockingham
You know, the same kinds of things that Bush made ALL THE TIME. You know, he's been chastised for it. He's apologized for it - even so far as to realize his error and apologize to the head of the Special Olympics foundation.
Now, of all the crazy and kooky comments that Bush made, how many times did he apologize for ANYTHING?
But then she brought up another point. How many of you saw humor in the video of George W. Bush and Candy Rice searching the Oval Office for WMD's while our hero's were being shot at, blown up with IED's, and dying in Iraq? How many of you laughed out loud when President George W. Bush walked into Walter Reed Army Hospital in front of the wounded men and women there and showed off the band-aid he got from a splinter when he was clearing brush in Crawford, claiming that he got wounded, too?
Were you as indignant then about those callous remarks as you are about President Obama's?
Bush was a stumble bum. "Is our children learning?" "OB/GYN's can't practice their LOVE for women all over this country?" They even named it Bush Speak for all the outright stupid things that came out his mouth. Including "Saddam has Weapons of Mass Destruction".
Special Olympics are for Special People. They have fun when they participate. I have never read a report of a Special Olympics where there was a fight and people were ejected from the game. They laugh, they cry, and they win. They are all winners.
And while President Obama works to solve the Economic Crisis, which he did inherit, the Republicans are working to stop any and all progress. They have worked for years to destroy the economy of this nation by destroying the middle class. And that will hurt Special Olympics because most of their funding comes from people like you and I. Not from rich old ladies having a "silent auction" during their tea once a year.
You better be praying that he can turn this nation around and put people back to work instead of getting so upset about one off handed remark, for which he appologized. I saw the humor in it, you didn't, he wasn't laughing at Special Olympics, he was laughing with them, comparing himself to them. And that is something you would never, ever have seen Bush do. He only compared himself to the Have's and Have More's in this nation. To him poor people don't exist, after all they were born underprivileged, something President Obama understand, Bush didn't.
This is just another example of a person that is not equipped ad-lib speak. He needs to quit trying to be a cult of personality and do his job better. I support all presidents no matter whether I voted for them or not. But millions of people are out of work. Our enemies are just waiting for us to slip a little farther down. Honestly, don't you think his time should be spent elsewhere than on some late night talk show.
Obama has the speech of a used car salesman, (the reason Pelosi has him on the road pushing the bills that she introduces) however, out of force of habit, he does get his foot in his mouth occasionally.
Oh for the down to earth speech of George W. Bush one more time! He lacked eloquence but his words had substance; He said what he meant and meant what he said.
I don't remember reading any Opinion comments when Bush was out trying to sell himself as someone who could walk and chew gum at the same time. Which he couldn't. And if he held a Town Hall meeting the people were screened and the questions pre-programmed. President Obama doesn't do that to the people. The Right Wing neo-cons just don't know what to do about him and the American people are slowly coming out of their skepticism and paranoia after 30 years of secret government. Even the old time Democrats are scratching their heads and their behinds.
The just don't seem to know what to do about another "Man from Illinois". Great isn't it.
This is a man who is striving to be a "celebrity hollywood entertainer" ......more than one trying to conduct himself as President !
While he's out traveling around trying to "sell himself", his cronies are running Washington and making a REAL MESS out of things, for him !
In order to appreciate the humor in the comment all you have to do is go to Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. I have. As a matter of fact I participated in the raising of over a half million dollars for Special Olympics and a lot of that was by holding bowling tournaments.
When a special needs Special Olympics bowler throws the ball down the alley and hits one pin it is like hitting all of them. They jump up and down for joy and feel they have done the greatest thing on the face of the earth. They do not share the need to win at all cost. They have fun. And if you don't believe that then remember the young man who stopped his foot race to turn around and help up his friend, who had fallen, get back in the race. The fact that he didn't win the race made no difference to him.
President Obama immediately apologized for the slip. But you must remember that first of all, he is human. I would say that sometime in the future you will see our President at a Special Olympics Bowling Tournament surrounded by young men and women who could care less about his politics but feel a special joy because he is there with them. After all, he is only human.