Obama bowling - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Xazy · 03-20-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

WASHINGTON, March 20, 2009 (AFP) – US President Barack Obama has apologized for the first gaffe of his presidency, after he joked about his bowling prowess comparing it to the Special Olympics for people with intellectual disabilities.

In his first appearance on a US late night talk show since his November election, Obama told Jay Leno he had been practicing at the White House bowling alley after he flopped at the sport during the presidential campaign last year.

"I bowled a 129," he said to laughter from the "Tonight Show" audience in Los Angeles.

"That's very good, Mr. President," Leno deadpanned.

It's "like the Special Olympics or something," the president replied.

Realizing the joke had fallen flat, the White House moved quickly to downplay it and Obama late Thursday telephoned Tim Shriver, the chairman of the Special Olympics, from Air Force One on the flight back to Washington.

"He expressed his disappointment and he apologized, I think, in a way that was very moving," Shriver told ABC on Friday.

"He expressed that he did not intend to humiliate this population; certainly he didn't want to embarrass or give anybody any more reason for pain or kind of suffering.

"He said he was a fan of the movement and I think, importantly, said he was ready to have some of our athletes over to the White House to bowl or play basketball, or help him improve his score," Shriver added.

White House spokesman Bill Burton said late Thursday: "The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics."

Obama "thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."

Obama was in California touting his plan to create jobs, end the economic crisis and spark sweeping reforms of education, healthcare and energy.

I had a number of small thoughts on it that just made me bother me about everything. First on a side outside of his comment I am amazed he was on tv now when there is so much that has to be done for the economy, but I guess every politician needs his PR time. I also love how if it was Bush it would have been all over the news and in the papers bashing him, while with Obama nope no such thing.

My wife works as a Psychologist dealing with well to be blunt people classified as Retarded. The organization she works for AHRC, specialized in assisting them in all aspects of life. The first thing she said upon hearing the comment was she hopes none of her clients heard about it since they take such pride in it, and would be very hurt and upset by such words. When someone makes such an off the cuff comment in such a manner, it shows how he is when he is relaxed and with friends. I feel it is a comment he would make when he is not filtering his comments for the audience around him.

And it is easy to just after apologize and say was a mistake, but I take it as a Freudian slip, so who wants to bet Obama attends the special olympics from now on?

ratbastid · 03-20-2009, 12:48 PM

It was insensitive, no two ways about it. Not the end of the world, but insensitive.

That there's any attention going toward it now, when there are such bigger fish to fry, is exactly why presidents DON'T go on the fucking Tonight Show. I don't know what the hell he was thinking, frankly.

Reese · 03-20-2009, 12:58 PM

I frackin knew it would happen! As soon as I heard him say Special Olympics I knew there'd be a news story about it. I heard it in his voice as he was saying it, he knew he chose the wrong words.

---------- Post added at 03:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:49 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratbastid

It was insensitive, no two ways about it. Not the end of the world, but insensitive.

That there's any attention going toward it now, when there are such bigger fish to fry, is exactly why president's DON'T go on the fucking Tonight Show. I don't know what the hell he was thinking, frankly.

I think he provided a lot of information about exactly what was going on with AIG. You can watch CNN and read articles and you might not know that the bonuses were in peoples contracts. Hell, people didn't even why AIG was in trouble to begin with and he explained it very well to these people that just don't have time in their 60 hour work week to know every last detail of the economic problem.

I think going on LENO was a good idea, He wants to show that he is one of the people and that he is working for the people.

Slims · 03-20-2009, 01:01 PM

I don't believe it should be an issue...If Special Olympics participants were able to perform to the same standards as Olympic Athletes...there would be no need for the Special Olympics.

It was a valid reference.

Xerxys · 03-20-2009, 01:24 PM

I don't think it was an issue if I made the comment. Double standard?

We make fun of everything. Operative word being "WE". The president is a whole-nether story. I don't believe he meant anything by it though ... but isn't he smart enough to know that his words -EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS WORDS- are fully analyzed??? All in all, I think he should have just stayed home that day.

pan6467 · 03-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybermike

I think going on LENO was a good idea, He wants to show that he is one of the people and that he is working for the people.

He showed he wants people to think of him as a "regular" guy. Leno had him on solely for ratings. It was win-win... oh and GE a major supporter of Obama happens to own NBC, so win-win-win.

I have mixed emotions of any president pandering on a tv show (not solely political or news oriented) or the show taking him as a guest. It is a way to get out information but it also taints the program as being lopsided in their views. Unless politics or platform in no way is discussed. For the person whose party is rally crying for the "Fairness Doctrine" this shoots that out, because where is the opposing viewpoint's equal time? Oh wait, it's Obama, he doesn't need to give anyone else equal time.

For the show it not only shows the leanings of it but to me it is a desperate move for ratings and some sort of legitimacy among whoever.

I just don't think that is a forum for a sitting president or congressman for that matter. I lost respect for both Leno and Obama.

As for the whole "Special Olympics" ordeal, my feeling is we are becoming a country of wimps that allow every little thing to offend us. Obama did not say it in a mean way and solely meant it as a self deprecating joke. We as a country need to get over the oversensitivity we have, this pc speak and be human. That was about the only time I have ever seen Obama just be a regular person and not be a robot.

I have a feeling most Special Olympians took less offense to his "gaffe" than those who are trashing what he said and find great offense in it. Hell, the majority of those athletes and participants may have gotten the humor in it.

Xazy · 03-20-2009, 01:41 PM

While I can agree about being super sensitive in many things these days, making a comment about the special Olympics which is for intellectually or developmentally disabled is wrong. These are people who do not necessarily have the same functionality as others and therefore need that extra protection. Maybe I am more caring about it now since my wife works with them.

And yes a president every word is analyzed but certain words and comments just should not be said, ever.

pan6467 · 03-20-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xazy

While I can agree about being super sensitive in many things these days, making a comment about the special Olympics which is for intellectually or developmentally disabled is wrong. These are people who do not necessarily have the same functionality as others and therefore need that extra protection. Maybe I am more caring about it now since my wife works with them.

And yes a president every word is analyzed but certain words and comments just should not be said, ever.

I've worked with them also. The ones I have known and worked with did not look at their disabilities as something to be depressed over but as a problem to overcome. We can actually learn a lot from them, I did.

Halx · 03-20-2009, 02:10 PM

Oh please. The only reason it's "wrong" is because all the over-sensitive pussies out there will have found vindication for their over-developed sense of offended righteousness.

KellyC · 03-20-2009, 02:36 PM

I'm annoyed that people give too much of a shit about this. When he's talking about something important, take him seriously. When he's joking, let him. Sheesh.

Xerxys · 03-20-2009, 03:30 PM

Kelly, here's the thing though, presidents and "us" aren't the same. They run the country. They can't be human. They must be perfect at all times.

MSD · 03-20-2009, 03:44 PM

Oh no, the president said something politically incorrect, the world is ending.

grumpyolddude · 03-20-2009, 04:02 PM

I can understand wanting to appear in a venue without the usual news media filtration. I can't understand how he could turn off his personal filter to make that comment. In this era of ultra scrutinizing every aspect of a public figure's life, a single unguarded comment can undo a lifetime of good works. It's a shame, but his "people" will have to think twice about sending the president into unscripted situations for a while.

highthief · 03-20-2009, 04:15 PM

Man, I am glad you guys got rid of the nutballs ruining your country (Bush et al) but had the Shrub said this he would have come in for double the flak Obama is getting for such a stupid joke.

Tully Mars · 03-20-2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highthief

Man, I am glad you guys got rid of the nutballs ruining your country (Bush et al) but had the Shrub said this he would have come in for double the flak Obama is getting for such a stupid joke.

Agreed

JumpinJesus · 03-20-2009, 04:28 PM

The entire planet needs to lighten the fuck up and quit getting outraged over shit that means absolutely nothing while simultaneously not being bothered to give a shit about shit that really really matters.

blahblah454 · 03-20-2009, 06:08 PM

I agree that most people are oversensitive pussies. I honestly could not really give two shits about Obama and what he says most of the time, but I thought it was slightly funny that he said this. Makes him seem more human, and to me that is a good thing.

ratbastid · 03-20-2009, 08:22 PM

Somebody needs to kill the entire news industry.

silent_jay · 03-20-2009, 08:40 PM

I saw the humour in his comments and laughed when he made them........it was fuckin funny to me anyways, then again I'm not oversensitive and pretty much anything is game when there's a joke to be had.

Although when I heard him say it, I knew people would jump on it.

Grancey · 03-20-2009, 10:42 PM

This man who made a joke about disabled individuals is our country's representative to the rest of the world?
That is scary.

gardens · 03-20-2009, 11:30 PM

Deal or No Deal

That should be the standard you judge this by

Wasn't there a movie made about this not to long ago

The Ringer (2005) - The ringer
with the stars from Jackass

If a movie can be made about it then why can't the Prez talk about it

ever think maybe it was a clever PR attempt to get more attention to the plight of the lowly news journalist and the fact that they made such a big deal out of his bowling score before so now maybe they will again

Why is this even important enough to push aside the rest of the interview

silent_jay · 03-21-2009, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grancey

This man who made a joke about disabled individuals is our country's representative to the rest of the world?
That is scary.

It isn't like he said 'Jay I bowled a 129 at the White House, I bowl like a fuckin retard'.

Also, remember your countries last representative? Guy who couldn't string a fuckin sentence together? Guy who ordered the invasion of 2 countries, with no fuckin clue what to do once your country invaded? That your country voted twice for him as your representative to the rest of the world is fuckin scary, I'll take Obama and his joke any day over that guy.

Quote:

The Ringer (2005) - The ringer
with the stars from Jackass

I'm not a big Johnny Knoxville fan, but that movie was pretty damn funny.

Grancey · 03-21-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent_jay

It isn't like he said 'Jay I bowled a 129 at the White House, I bowl like a fuckin retard'.

Also, remember your countries last representative? Guy who couldn't string a fuckin sentence together? Guy who ordered the invasion of 2 countries, with no fuckin clue what to do once your country invaded? That your country voted twice for him as your representative to the rest of the world is fuckin scary, I'll take Obama and his joke any day over that guy.

Bush is NOT the president any longer. He is out of office. He has left Washington. We are now in the Obama era, and that is what we have to deal with. I would rather focus on the current president and what he says and does. I'm also curious about how it will feel to be living with a 9.3 trillion deficit.

wackothethird · 03-21-2009, 07:35 AM

Lots of people make mistakes, just most people don't make them on national television. I guess he will probably think before he speaks next time. But on the other hand, I think the joke was not a good one and shouldn't be downplayed by the whitehouse. They seem to have an excuse for everything.

powerclown · 03-21-2009, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silent_jay

It isn't like he said 'Jay I bowled a 129 at the White House, I bowl like a fuckin retard'.

It isn't???

Redlemon · 03-21-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slims

I don't believe it should be an issue...If Special Olympics participants were able to perform to the same standards as Olympic Athletes...there would be no need for the Special Olympics.

I once saw a college ice-hockey team take on a team of sled-hockey players, and everyone was on the sleds. The "handicapped" team won easily, and in fact, were told to make sure that the point spread never exceeded a certain amount. While they were waiting for the opportunity to score, they skated circles around the other team.

It's not about "performing at the same standards"... it is "performing to very high standards with different rules". Trust me, you couldn't keep up.

FoolThemAll · 03-21-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blahblah454

I agree that most people are oversensitive pussies. I honestly could not really give two shits about Obama and what he says most of the time, but I thought it was slightly funny that he said this. Makes him seem more human, and to me that is a good thing.

I wasn't really offended by it - perhaps largely because I haven't been close to anyone handicapped - but you don't have to be an 'oversensitive pussy' to take offense, especially when it's the president saying it on national television. It's denigrating a group of highly-motivated people for something inborn or accidental. I've probably made similar jokes in the past, but is it really that hard for you to imagine a reasonable person taking offense?

Limbaugh-style right wing pundits will surely exaggerate the damage, but it deserved an apology (maybe a better one, I'm not sure) and then it deserves to be dropped.

pan6467 · 03-21-2009, 11:01 AM

Wow, the president said something politically incorrect. Wow, HE is HUMAN and not a robot. Wow, he makes small mistakes like normal people. Get over it.

But He's Obama and HE's our saviour, the messiah the chosen one that will lead us.

Yeah. He's human and you had too many expectations on him. Never put anyone on a pedestal, they WILL always fall off and you will resent them for your putting them there.

Slims · 03-21-2009, 11:09 AM

Redlemon:

You are thinking of the Paralympics...for people with physical disabilities. In that regard you are right. Many Paralympics athletes are not allowed to compete in the regular Olympics because they are considered to have an advantage.

The Special Olympics (what the president referenced) is specifically and only for people with mental disabilities (retards).

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

It's not about "performing at the same standards"... it is "performing to very high standards with different rules". Trust me, you couldn't keep up.

And I believe I certainly could keep up. Unless they have recently started a "find the baseball" competition or a "turn and smile" competition.

Frosstbyte · 03-21-2009, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grancey

This man who made a joke about disabled individuals is our country's representative to the rest of the world?
That is scary.

Basically everyone I know has made a special olympics joke with regard to their sports prowess. It's harmless and meaningless and reflects not at all on his capacity as a president or his capacity to run the country.

In fact, as lemon has pointed out, it's ironic, as a look at the South Park episode on the matter would gladly tell you. If most of us went up against any special olympic athlete in his sport of choice, we'd get our asses kicked.

It was a joke that would've been perfectly meaningless and normal in a smaller crowd. He just happened to make it on national television. This is not a big deal; we have much bigger things to worry about.

silent_jay · 03-21-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerclown

It isn't???

Nope not at all, his way was much more PC than mine was, could you imagine if he had said it my way, people like pan who think everyone puts him on a pedestal would have been up for a lynching.

Quote:

Yeah. He's human and you had too many expectations on him. Never put anyone on a pedestal, they WILL always fall off and you will resent them for your putting them there.

Seems the only person on this forum who thinks Obama is on a pedestal is YOU, you're the one constantly mentioning the 'pedestal' and how he's the 'saviour' of your people, actually seems all you ever say about him, but it is amusing reading for me, that's for sure.

Quote:

Bush is NOT the president any longer. He is out of office. He has left Washington. We are now in the Obama era, and that is what we have to deal with. I would rather focus on the current president and what he says and does. I'm also curious about how it will feel to be living with a 9.3 trillion deficit.

Oh I know who your president is, and I know it isn't the other guy any longer, just trying to show you it could be worse if said other guy were still in charge.

mrklixx · 03-21-2009, 03:02 PM

It's no real surprise that some of the people that are so vehemently angry at the "pussies" that may be offended by it are the same people that have made disparaging comments about the mentally handicapped in the past (and the present).

little_tippler · 03-21-2009, 08:00 PM

an unfortunate mistake...but it's easy to get nervous and say the wrong thing. He may be the president, but he's also human. Ah well. You can't expect the guy to be perfect...this is of zero importance in the grand scheme of things.

777 · 03-21-2009, 10:04 PM

I remember after Obama won the presidential election, but before the First Family moved into the White House, whole news articles were writen about what kind of dogs they were going to buy. Their dauther was allergic to some breeds, and Barack Obama wanted to rescue a puppy from an animal shelter.

“There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic, but on the other hand our preference is to get a shelter dog, but obviously, a lot of the shelter dogs are mutts like me,” said Obama.

And from the words, "mutts like me", they're analyzing his posible views on race relations!

All that attention from what was meant as a joke!?

dksuddeth · 03-22-2009, 02:26 AM

are most of you people here really trying to say that had GW made this remark on national television, that he would NOT have been thoroughly skewered by nearly every major news media outlet and every democrat in office holding press conferences next to mentally challenged individuals demanding an immediate apology?

pathetic partisanship.

silent_jay · 03-22-2009, 06:17 AM

Pssssst DK, read the news, Obama apologized before the show was on the air, actually when he was on Air Force One after the show, so your 'pathetic partisanship', is actually just pathetic that you can't read the news to see an apology has been given, and accepted by the Special Olympics.
Obama Apologizes to Special Olympics Head Shriver (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

Quote:

Obama Apologizes to Special Olympics Head Shriver

President Barack Obama apologized to Special Olympics chairman Timothy Shriver for making a joke about the organization during last night’s taping of NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

Shriver, appearing today on ABC News’ “Good Morning America,” said Obama’s apology was “very moving.” The president called Shriver from Air Force One before departing for Washington and said that he “didn’t want to embarrass or give anybody any more reason for pain and suffering.”

During the taping in Burbank, California, Leno asked Obama if the White House bowling alley had been replaced yet with a basketball court. Obama, who scored a 37 while bowling on the campaign trail and whose bowling skills became the butt of jokes, said that he had been practicing and recently bowled a game of 129.

“No, that’s very good, Mr. President,” Leno said mockingly.

“It was like Special Olympics, or something,” Obama replied.

Shriver today said the apology was important because “words do matter.”

‘Teachable Moment’

“These words in some respect, can be seen as humiliating or a put-down to people with special needs,” Shriver said. “This language needs to be a teachable moment, I think, for our country.”

On the return trip to Washington last night, deputy press secretary Bill Burton told reporters that the remark “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.”

Shriver, the son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, said Obama told him that “he was ready to have some of our athletes over to the White House to bowl or to play basketball, or help him improve his score.”

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is a Special Olympics coach and whose wife is Maria Shriver, Timothy Shriver’s sister, defended Obama today outside the White House.

“I know where his heart is at,” Schwarzenegger said after a meeting with the president. “He will do everything he can to help Special Olympics. And every one of us sometimes makes a mistake by something comes out of your mouth and you say: ‘Oops. I wish I hadn’t said that.’”

dippin · 03-22-2009, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dksuddeth

are most of you people here really trying to say that had GW made this remark on national television, that he would NOT have been thoroughly skewered by nearly every major news media outlet and every democrat in office holding press conferences next to mentally challenged individuals demanding an immediate apology?

pathetic partisanship.

Im sorry, but this sort of "would have" posts don't mean much. I mean, every major news organization has dedicated significant air time to this gaffe.

Besides, it took a few years of GWB gaffes before people would really attack him on them. Most people here don't even know about the "Do you have blacks in Brazil, too? gaffe Bush did in his first year in the office, for example.

Finally, I would love to know a single person who was genuinely offended by this. Not offended in the sense of "this is a chance to attack someone I hate anyways," but really offended.

There is so much crap going on now, and people still keep talking about a relatively harmless gaffe...

ring · 03-22-2009, 08:18 AM

Yes.
Could we here at TFP set an example,
and let this shallow silliness end, with this post?

livingdeadgirl · 03-22-2009, 10:49 AM

Everyone has made an off color joke before. But we do it with our girls or our family, our inner circle.....not as the President on Jay freakin Leno......

He must never sleep. I didn't get my bracket done til about an hour before the games started on Friday. He's got time for March Madness, Jay Leno apperances AND bowling....well done Sir....

ring · 03-22-2009, 03:09 PM

Ummmm....I remember Pre-president Clinton,
making the coolest love to a saxophone on the tonight show.

I believe the humanizing factor,
simultaneously causes and factors out the stress.

I wanna see him move his hips.

03-20-2009, 12:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	It was insensitive, no two ways about it. Not the end of the world, but insensitive. That there's any attention going toward it now, when there are such bigger fish to fry, is exactly why presidents DON'T go on the fucking Tonight Show. I don't know what the hell he was thinking, frankly. Last edited by ratbastid; 03-20-2009 at 12:51 PM..

03-20-2009, 01:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	I don't believe it should be an issue...If Special Olympics participants were able to perform to the same standards as Olympic Athletes...there would be no need for the Special Olympics. It was a valid reference. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence

03-20-2009, 02:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	Oh please. The only reason it's "wrong" is because all the over-sensitive pussies out there will have found vindication for their over-developed sense of offended righteousness. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

03-20-2009, 02:36 PM	#10 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	I'm annoyed that people give too much of a shit about this. When he's talking about something important, take him seriously. When he's joking, let him. Sheesh. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.

03-20-2009, 04:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
grumpyolddude Deliberately unfocused Location: Amazon.com and CDBaby	I can understand wanting to appear in a venue without the usual news media filtration. I can't understand how he could turn off his personal filter to make that comment. In this era of ultra scrutinizing every aspect of a public figure's life, a single unguarded comment can undo a lifetime of good works. It's a shame, but his "people" will have to think twice about sending the president into unscripted situations for a while. __________________ "Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard

03-20-2009, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	I don't think it was an issue if I made the comment. Double standard? We make fun of everything. Operative word being "WE". The president is a whole-nether story. I don't believe he meant anything by it though ... but isn't he smart enough to know that his words -EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF HIS WORDS- are fully analyzed??? All in all, I think he should have just stayed home that day.

03-20-2009, 01:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
Xazy People in masks cannot be trusted Location: NYC	While I can agree about being super sensitive in many things these days, making a comment about the special Olympics which is for intellectually or developmentally disabled is wrong. These are people who do not necessarily have the same functionality as others and therefore need that extra protection. Maybe I am more caring about it now since my wife works with them. And yes a president every word is analyzed but certain words and comments just should not be said, ever.

03-20-2009, 03:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Kelly, here's the thing though, presidents and "us" aren't the same. They run the country. They can't be human. They must be perfect at all times.

03-20-2009, 03:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Oh no, the president said something politically incorrect, the world is ending.

03-20-2009, 04:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
highthief Junkie Location: Ontario, Canada	Man, I am glad you guys got rid of the nutballs ruining your country (Bush et al) but had the Shrub said this he would have come in for double the flak Obama is getting for such a stupid joke. __________________ Si vis pacem parabellum.

03-20-2009, 04:28 PM	#16 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	The entire planet needs to lighten the fuck up and quit getting outraged over shit that means absolutely nothing while simultaneously not being bothered to give a shit about shit that really really matters. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

03-20-2009, 06:08 PM	#17 (permalink)
blahblah454 Let's put a smile on that face Location: On the road...	I agree that most people are oversensitive pussies. I honestly could not really give two shits about Obama and what he says most of the time, but I thought it was slightly funny that he said this. Makes him seem more human, and to me that is a good thing.

03-20-2009, 08:22 PM	#18 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Somebody needs to kill the entire news industry.

03-20-2009, 08:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
silent_jay Her Jay Location: Ontario for now....	I saw the humour in his comments and laughed when he made them........it was fuckin funny to me anyways, then again I'm not oversensitive and pretty much anything is game when there's a joke to be had. Although when I heard him say it, I knew people would jump on it. __________________ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

03-20-2009, 10:42 PM	#20 (permalink)
Grancey Life's short, gotta hurry... Location: land of pit vipers	This man who made a joke about disabled individuals is our country's representative to the rest of the world? That is scary. __________________ Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

03-20-2009, 11:30 PM	#21 (permalink)
gardens Tilted Location: Kolob	Deal or No Deal That should be the standard you judge this by Wasn't there a movie made about this not to long ago The Ringer (2005) - The ringer with the stars from Jackass If a movie can be made about it then why can't the Prez talk about it ever think maybe it was a clever PR attempt to get more attention to the plight of the lowly news journalist and the fact that they made such a big deal out of his bowling score before so now maybe they will again Why is this even important enough to push aside the rest of the interview __________________ "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. By Order of the Author." --- Samuel Clemens I'm not a Poser, I'm just softcore.

03-21-2009, 07:35 AM	#24 (permalink)
wackothethird Upright	Lots of people make mistakes, just most people don't make them on national television. I guess he will probably think before he speaks next time. But on the other hand, I think the joke was not a good one and shouldn't be downplayed by the whitehouse. They seem to have an excuse for everything.

03-21-2009, 11:01 AM	#28 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Wow, the president said something politically incorrect. Wow, HE is HUMAN and not a robot. Wow, he makes small mistakes like normal people. Get over it. But He's Obama and HE's our saviour, the messiah the chosen one that will lead us. Yeah. He's human and you had too many expectations on him. Never put anyone on a pedestal, they WILL always fall off and you will resent them for your putting them there. __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

03-21-2009, 03:02 PM	#32 (permalink)
mrklixx President Rick Location: location location	It's no real surprise that some of the people that are so vehemently angry at the "pussies" that may be offended by it are the same people that have made disparaging comments about the mentally handicapped in the past (and the present). __________________ This post is content. If you don't like it then you are not content. Or perhaps just incontinent. This is not a link - Do not click here I hate animated avatars.

03-21-2009, 08:00 PM	#33 (permalink)
little_tippler Leaning against the -Sun- Super Moderator Location: on the other side	an unfortunate mistake...but it's easy to get nervous and say the wrong thing. He may be the president, but he's also human. Ah well. You can't expect the guy to be perfect...this is of zero importance in the grand scheme of things. __________________ Whether we write or speak or do but look We are ever unapparent. What we are Cannot be transfused into word or book. Our soul from us is infinitely far. However much we give our thoughts the will To be our soul and gesture it abroad, Our hearts are incommunicable still. In what we show ourselves we are ignored. The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged By any skill of thought or trick of seeming. Unto our very selves we are abridged When we would utter to our thought our being. We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams, And each to each other dreams of others' dreams. Fernando Pessoa, 1918

03-21-2009, 10:04 PM	#34 (permalink)
777 drawn and redrawn Location: Some where in Southern California	I remember after Obama won the presidential election, but before the First Family moved into the White House, whole news articles were writen about what kind of dogs they were going to buy. Their dauther was allergic to some breeds, and Barack Obama wanted to rescue a puppy from an animal shelter. “There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic, but on the other hand our preference is to get a shelter dog, but obviously, a lot of the shelter dogs are mutts like me,” said Obama. And from the words, "mutts like me", they're analyzing his posible views on race relations! All that attention from what was meant as a joke!? __________________ "I don't know that I ever wanted greatness, on its own. It seems rather like wanting to be an engineer, rather than wanting to design something - or wanting to be a writer, rather than wanting to write. It should be a by-product, not a thing in itself. Otherwise, it's just an ego trip." Roger Zelazny

03-22-2009, 02:26 AM	#35 (permalink)
dksuddeth Junkie Location: bedford, tx	are most of you people here really trying to say that had GW made this remark on national television, that he would NOT have been thoroughly skewered by nearly every major news media outlet and every democrat in office holding press conferences next to mentally challenged individuals demanding an immediate apology? pathetic partisanship. __________________ "no amount of force can control a free man, a man whose mind is free. No, not the rack, not fission bombs, not anything. You cannot conquer a free man; the most you can do is kill him."

03-22-2009, 08:18 AM	#38 (permalink)
ring ░ Location: ❤	Yes. Could we here at TFP set an example, and let this shallow silliness end, with this post?

03-22-2009, 10:49 AM	#39 (permalink)
livingdeadgirl Upright Location: USA	Everyone has made an off color joke before. But we do it with our girls or our family, our inner circle.....not as the President on Jay freakin Leno...... He must never sleep. I didn't get my bracket done til about an hour before the games started on Friday. He's got time for March Madness, Jay Leno apperances AND bowling....well done Sir....

03-22-2009, 03:09 PM	#40 (permalink)
ring ░ Location: ❤	Ummmm....I remember Pre-president Clinton, making the coolest love to a saxophone on the tonight show. I believe the humanizing factor, simultaneously causes and factors out the stress. I wanna see him move his hips.