Obama and the Special Olympics - Page 3 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

mykalberta · 03-20-2009, 12:24 PM

So is this a gaffe or is he just simply isnt smart enough to know what the Special Olympics are?

Hahahah Fi80 left wing views come through again.

Locke · 03-20-2009, 12:30 PM

He can say whatever he wants.

I'd have preferred he said something like: "I bowl worse than a one-legged ###### with tourettes."

But thats just me. Hes not my President.

RougeUnderoos · 03-20-2009, 12:33 PM

It was a pretty dumb thing to say, but I gotta admit I laughed.

We know for a fact that anyone that latches onto this and beats him over the head with it would have been the first to say "this society is too politically correct and sensitive!" if Bush had made this gaffe.

Azure · 03-20-2009, 12:40 PM

Meh, pick on anyone else.....and its alright.

Pick on people with 'mental' problems.....not alright. Pretty simple.

FanIn80 · 03-20-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

So is this a gaffe or is he just simply isnt smart enough to know what the Special Olympics are?

Hahahah Fi80 left wing views come through again.

Politics is like a foreign language to me. I have no clue what "left wing" or "right wing" means.

What I do know, though, is one guy screwed up and said he bowls like he's in the Special Olympics, and another guy screwed up and bombed a country for having weapons they never even had.

You call it "left wing"... I call it "proper perspective."

CaptainCrunch · 03-20-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Politics is like a foreign language to me. I have no clue what "left wing" or "right wing" means.

What I do know, though, is one guy screwed up and said he bowls like he's in the Special Olympics, and another guy screwed up and bombed a country for having weapons they never even had.

You call it "left wing"... I call it "proper perspective."

Yup, and I call it, I see no reason for the comparison between the two, this is Obama's presidency, and he's had a shaky start to it. He like Bush needs to be judged on his own merits, not in comparison. Its not like Bush is ever going to be president again.

Azure · 03-20-2009, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yup, and I call it, I see no reason for the comparison between the two, this is Obama's presidency, and he's had a shaky start to it. He like Bush needs to be judged on his own merits, not in comparison. Its not like Bush is ever going to be president again.

But its so much fun to compare everything to what Bush did.

CaptainCrunch · 03-20-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

But its so much fun to compare everything to what Bush did.

I guess, and in four years we might be comparing former president Obama to new President Xuel the conquorer, however anything negative said about our mighty lord and benevolent master could result in you being fired or set on fire.

FanIn80 · 03-20-2009, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yup, and I call it, I see no reason for the comparison between the two, this is Obama's presidency, and he's had a shaky start to it. He like Bush needs to be judged on his own merits, not in comparison. Its not like Bush is ever going to be president again.

Well, unfortunately, life isn't like that. We're always compared to our rivals and our predecessors. People are only months into new presidency after 8 years of the previous one. Of course comparisons are going to be made.

Who else are we going to compare him to? A President can't find his place in history, if he's not willing to be compared to that same history... and Presidents always have a place in history, thus Presidents are always compared to other Presidents (especially in the first few month after taking over from a tremendously loathed President).

(for the record, I didn't start the comparison in this thread... I just made it hit harder than the others)

CaptainCrunch · 03-20-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Well, unfortunately, life isn't like that. We're always compared to our rivals and our predecessors. People are only months into new presidency after 8 years of the previous one. Of course comparisons are going to be made.

Who else are we going to compare him to? You can't find you're place in history, if you're not willing to be compared to that same history.

I'm not comparing him to anyone, just like I didn't compare Bush to anyone

FanIn80 · 03-20-2009, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I'm not comparing him to anyone, just like I didn't compare Bush to anyone

Oh, sorry... I didn't mean you when I said "you." I meant the general use of the word "you."

I'll edit that.

Iowa_Flames_Fan · 03-20-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yup, and I call it, I see no reason for the comparison between the two, this is Obama's presidency, and he's had a shaky start to it.

You wanna see a shaky start, you should have seen Bush's first 100 days!

Dion · 03-20-2009, 02:32 PM

Obama makes apology to head of the Special Olympics.

Quote:

The comment during the taping of the show prompted Obama to pick up the phone on Air Force One and call Special Olympics Chairman Timothy Shriver to preemptively apologize for the remark before it hit television screens. He also reportedly invited Special Olympic athletes to Pennsylvania Avenue to hit the lanes and give him tips or shoot some hoops.

The President "expressed his heartfelt and sincere commitment to work with our athletes and make this country a more accepting place for people with special needs," Special Olympics President and CEO J. Brady Lum said.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/03/20...cial.olympics/

John Doe · 03-20-2009, 02:34 PM

It was a stupid thing to say, and he is rightfully being called on it. That said...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

I think he's suggesting there would be an uproar if Bush said it. I don't think he is saying Bush wouldn't have made such a gaffe.

And there isn't an uproar now? There is a 3 page thread on a canadian hockey forum, and it was discussed on every newscast that I have seen since it happened.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Or it makes it much easier to recruit new terrorists because the enemy's leader is a nice guy; and nice = weakness in their eyes.

Do you really think that it will be easier to recruit terrorists with Obama as the president than when Bush was?

CaptainCrunch · 03-20-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

Do you really think that it will be easier to recruit terrorists with Obama as the president than when Bush was?

Don't think they'll be a change in recruiting numbers at all. Remember that Obama is slowing down his plans to remove troops from Iraq, and he's whole hog into fighting Afghanistan with a surge. So I doubt that he's gaining any points with the extremist muslims.

John Doe · 03-20-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Don't think they'll be a change in recruiting numbers at all. Remember that Obama is slowing down his plans to remove troops from Iraq, and he's whole hog into fighting Afghanistan with a surge. So I doubt that he's gaining any points with the extremist muslims.

While I disagree with you, that isn't what the post said. It said it would be much easier to recruit terrorists.

Daradon · 03-20-2009, 04:31 PM

Political gaffe for sure, should come with a quick apology.

Not so bad if it's over beers with the guys, but you can't say that kinda stuff on TV, ESPECIALLY as POTUS.

Like that thread K-Train posted the other day, the thing is so many of us use terminology like that it doesn't really sound very offensive. I chuckled a little before I went, ohhhh, not cool. But it's probably something our society as a whole needs to be a little more aware of.

On the other hand, I also get a little tired of the constant PC policing of our culture. I wish we could all recognize we all have differences. Abilities and disabilities, stereotypes and such, and a little harmless joking wasn't such a big thing.

But we aren't there as a society yet and I could see how people could get very hot about this. I don't blame them.

As far as what the ractions would be if GWB did this, I think I'd probably feel the same way. I was more concerned about his policies, the way he'd dodge questions, and belittle his electorate and everyone around him (massaging heads of state, being snotty to the media). A joke that was perhaps off color I'd probably have the same reaction to.

Flame Of Liberty · 03-20-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

Do you really think that it will be easier to recruit terrorists with Obama as the president than when Bush was?

Yeah sure if they perceive their enemy as weaker, it may give them the extra buzz; not to mention they can claim the victory is "nearer" now that the US president is far more reluctant to use force against them.

John Doe · 03-20-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flame Of Liberty

Yeah sure if they perceive their enemy as weaker, it may give them the extra buzz; not to mention they can claim the victory is "nearer" now that the US president is far more reluctant to use force against them.

But without Bush there is less to fight against. Obama has much better ratings outside the U.S.. If America is seen as less of an "Evil Tyrant" by the muslim countries, there will be less people willing to become terroristst and terrorism will become less acceptable. You will always have your fanatics, but they will have less support.

Now, whether or not Obama's foreign policies will allow his approval ratings to stay high world-wide is another question.

GirlySports · 03-20-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

But without Bush there is less to fight against. Obama has much better ratings outside the U.S.. If America is seen as less of an "Evil Tyrant" by the muslim countries, there will be less people willing to become terroristst and terrorism will become less acceptable. You will always have your fanatics, but they will have less support.

Now, whether or not Obama's foreign policies will allow his approval ratings to stay high world-wide is another question.

The terrorist will build-up and keep quiet while Obama does his 8 years. When the republicans retake the Whitehouse in 2016 then BAM!