Last night on the Tonight Show, President Obama made a remark that has caused a minor storm. When Jay Leno asked the President about his bowling acumen, Obama replied, "It was like the Special Olympics or something."
A part of me says that this is a good thing because maybe it will start the long-awaited (by me anyway) backlash against PC speech. We're not supposed to say anything that might offend anyone at anytime and if we do there are consequences.
A much bigger part of me thinks that it's common knowledge that kids who participate in the Special Olympics aren't actually good at sports. In that sense, the President didn't say anything all of us don't already know. It's not like he added, "and special needs kids should all be put down for the good of society."
Of course, as with all things nowadays, there is a political element to this. Plenty of people defending the president this morning wanted Rush Limbaugh* drawn and quartered for making his Donovan McNabb remarks. Remember, free speech isn't just for your side (whatever side that may be).
* I have not now, nor have I ever been a fan of Rush Limbaugh. My personal position on media blowhards is this: I think Michael Moore, Randi Rhoades, Al Franken and Bill Mahr should be the crew of the first manned spaceflight to Mars provided they (1) don't come back and (2) take Limbaugh, Anne Coulter and Sean Hannity with them.
Update: This, on the other hand, makes the argument that more than the President's bowling skills are fit for the Special Olympics.
I am not a fan of this president because he has done very little with which I can agree, but I don't think his "Special Olympics" remark is that newsworthy. Perhaps a little insensitive given his position, but not a big deal. It will pass quickly.
ReplyDeleteConversely, had a high ranking republican made that comment, it would be the lead story for a minimum of 2 weeks.
I like your flight list to Mars and would also request reservations for Arianna Huffington and Laura Ingraham.
We'll squeeze 'em in. But if we come up with too many more, then, to paraphrase Roy Scheider in 'Jaws': "we're gonna need a bigger ship".
ReplyDelete