So the scenario goes something like this. Leno asks Obama about his bowling game, which is known to be terrible due to his less-than-stellar attempt to be a 'common man' and bowl with some people in the campaign trail (bowling is probably too low-class for his taste, in my opinion). Obama smiles and says "No, no. I have been practicing . . . I bowled a 129." Obviously it's a cheerful punch at himself and his inability to play the game, and the people had a good laugh; Leno humored the President and said, very sarcastically "that's very good, Mr. President." But what came next was not humorous when the President said "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something."
Honestly, what in the hell is he thinking? This man is falling from grace in my eyes very, very quickly, as without the presence of his beloved teleprompter Obama is very quick to throw both feet square in his mouth. But alas, Bill Burton, the bulldog Whitehouse Spokesman was quick with a rebuttal while in Airforce One:
"The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."
Oh common, Bill. Lets be completely honest here. No one is going to buy the excuse of "offhand remark" when we are talking about poking fun at the Special Olympics, especially from the candidate who promised widespread change in every aspect of political and social culture. Remember, dear children, that Obama's comments are not "offhand" or even mistaken; this is a new low for the President, and these words are meant to be a blow to the disabled community. On the campaign trail Obama promised change for the disabled community in his Blueprint for America. In fact, he promised broad changes in order to end discrimination and promote equality of opportunity for people with disabilities (a bullet-point mark in his plan to "Empower Americans with Disabilities"; it's on page 3 if you don't believe me). Trust me, I read Obama's plan for the disabled community with great fervor, but now I am thoroughly disgusted. How can this pathetic excuse for a President seek to "empower" people with disabilities if he still stereotypes and stigmatizes people with handicaps and disabilities as less than average? Since his bowling game isn't up to par with some other Americans he feels it proper to link his poor performance at the level of those who compete in the Special Olympics? Bill Burton, you can create all the smoke and mirrors you want, but the disabled community isn't going to buy the absolute rubbish coming out of your mouth.
Mr. Obama: you are pathetic. You have built yourself upon a golden pedestal of 'change' and 'hope', but in only a few short words you have belittled and alienated some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. I ask all of you, is that 'change' you can believe in? If I really want to see a real apology from the 'President' I will see it come from his mouth, and his mouth only. If I want to see the President truly caring for the disabled community, I will see him volunteering at a Special Olympics rather than filling out a NCAA bracket in his cozy office. Words are cheap, and so is Obama's humor and his shots at the disabled community.
There are very few times that I cringe when somebody says something. Usually, people don't surprise me that much. But I totally cringed when I heard that. I wonder if he even knew what he said right after he said it.
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