Friday, March 20, 2009

Wrong Apology Mr. President

So... our President demonstrates a "mind set" of superiority over people with developmental disabilities on Jay Leno's show last night. Fairly typical in today's intolerant society, where it's fine to say things about these folks with little or no repercussion.

I'd like to tell the Pres. that I know a man with a developmental disability who could mop up the bowling alley with him and his hurtful language. Unfortunately, this man's teeth are rotting, so he might have to take a short break during the process. But hey; the discussion's been started, so let's keep it going.

When he says "It was like the Special Olympics or something." regarding his 129 bowling score, is he disparaging Special Olympics? Of course not. He's saying that folks who participate in Special Olympics are less than the non-disabled population, and it's ok to use them as an example of such.

Is the President aware that people with developmental disabilities have some of the worst healthcare in the world? Including in the USA? Special Olympics Report. Perhaps the President should be apologizing to this community for the continued medical neglect they face.

8 comments:

I am Coyote said...

Pretty bold of you (as a liberal) to post something like this.

Though I too was shocked at the comment (my adopted brother with Spina bifida and autism just kept my parents up all night last night with a grand mall seizure.) but as a conservative I did not want to post on it myself.

Partly because, since I am a conservative, it would have been seen as grand standing to make "political" points.

But mostly because the issue is so personal that, in this environment, I would not be able to voice such a personal opinion.

So FWIW, thank you.

David McDonald said...

I'm certainly not conservative. I believe that the republican party has torn this country apart, doing MUCH MORE harm than good.

Haowever; I'm also not naive to believe that the democrats are going to do ANYTING DIFFERENTLY.

I'm calling on the party to prove me wrong.

David McDonald said...

You Republicans crack me up. You ACT like you care about something when it can further your agenda.

Where was your outrage last summer when I was writing about the film Tropic Thunder, and their refusal to remove the "R" word from the movie?

Your fakeness comes through loud and clear. "If it's about Obama, we'll pretend we care."

Anonymous said...

The conservative right are falling all over themselves about Obama's certain gaff, but have not said a word about Mr Leno's stereotypical racial slur in implying that a Black man probably "burned and torn down," the bowling alley as, "the," normal angry response to a problem (not being good at bowling).

David McDonald said...

Not sure exactly what you're saying here, but I don't know what Leno said or implied.

Jeff said...

Great post. And your points are right on the money. As someone who actually changed my whole political philosophy since 2001 when my son was born I still run pretty heavily in both R and D circles. I have had an ongoing fight with Limbaugh for years who by the way throws the R word around often, and then there is Glenn Beck and his game show on radio but no flack there.

Interesting discussion times ahead.

Peace Dude.

Jeff said...

Oh and David have you picked up any chatter on this Waterhead dog issue that was also on the Leno piece? I guess that is an issue starting to come up.

Peace

I am Coyote said...

David,
Who are you talking to? You toss the term "you Republicans" around as if there are multiple examples of which you speak right here on this thread.

#1) If you note my post it is decidedly NON political. It is simply a personal note AND you might note that I made sure not to politicize it on my blog.

#2) Sorry but I don't know what your blog is so to accuse everyone (or "you Republicans") of not engaging you on your topic is just not reasonable.

I do know the movie of which you speak. I thought it was a disaster and could not force myself to watch more than hafl of it.

But they are hollywood. They are constantly embarrassing themselves and should not be taken seriously about anything of any meaning in our society. Just look at their personal lives.

The president of the United States is a different thing altogether. He occupies an office that is supposed to carry with it a certain weight of seriousness.