Obama’s Distasteful Special Olympics Joke

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Obama made a distasteful Special Olympics joke on Jay Leno last night. He said he Bowled a 129: "it's like Special Olympics". As someone with a developmentally disabled brother I take offense to this. He apologized, but he should think more before he talks.

If you watch the movie the Ringer, which was done pretty tastefully, it portrayed the truth- that some of the disabled participants are actually quite athletic. And most of them also enjoy participating in this event. There are many disabled people in this country that could bowl better than Obama's 129.

The Farley brothers (who produced the Ringer) are supportive of the Special Olympics and tried to be accurate and show the disabled in a positive light. Originally I disapproved of their Comedy movie about the Special Olympics, but after watching it; I thought it was tasteful and pretty funny.

There might not be any Usain Bolts at the Special Olympics, but the top participants could certainly out-perform me in track (and I was a pretty good athlete, I played varsity H.S soccer). I take that event seriously as a great outlet and enjoyable competition for the disabled.

 

[Don Wassall]

Ah, boo hoo hoo. So your brother's a retard. Now we have another group that no one is allowedto speak honestly about or have a sense of humor. You sound exactly like a PC thought policeman, scolding Obama for a light and innocent joke.


Don't post that kind of crap on this board. Your incessant liberal bloviating on politics andsocial issuesis nauseating and goes directly against the agenda and mission of Caste Football.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

Maybe taking "offense" is too strong a reaction. However, I want to explain my position on the Special Olympics b/c I want my brother, who is "high-functioning" Autistic (and fast) to participate in it. The movie the Ringer was a good movie, btw, that I recommend people see.

 

[GiovaniMarcon]

Kid-glove political correctness usually only protects the interests of every conceivable persecuted minority from the perceived majority, ie, white males. When a person usually protected from criticism by the umbrella of political correctness himself makes a politically incorrect move, PC pundits are at a loss as to whether to go after him, or pretend it never happened.

Sort of like a gay person who commits a racist hate crime, or a Jewish person mocking Blacks or Hispanics.

Hence, Obama is far less likely to be pilloried for his un-PC remarks because he's black. If he had been white, he would be given the Imus "nappy headed hoes" treatment.

But pointing out the obvious double-standards when it comes to behavioral expectations among the races is as redundant as pointing out to Sean Penn that he is a poor man's DeNiro or reminding Ellen Degeneres that she really enjoys the carpet.Edited by: GiovaniMarcon

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

I admit, I sort of have already been watching Obama with scrutiny, b/c I don't like him. I heard this during the break in NCAA games before prime-time.

But Marcon I agree with that analysis. You are right: you can bet this story will die out very quickly b/c Obama is very popular with the media. This comment is a little insensitive, but will die out "much" faster than Nappy headed hoes, you can bet (unless more conservative Fox keeps going with it).

If it was George W. (who I don't like either) I think the media would keep going with this for weeks.

 

[j41181]

Anything that Obama says will always be overlooked, because people like him are allowed to say what they want. If a white person said such things, it would be the end of him.

I don't like him (I also hated Bush) but I'd rather he just do his job as he was elected to do. I'll just brace myself for whatever political stupidity stunts he might do to along the way.

To drop terms like terrorism, terrorists, enemy combatants, and just replace them with man-caused disasters is one of the DUMBEST things I have ever seen. The man is living in a fantasy world, he wants to change things, well he's making things change for the worse!

Edited by: j41181

 

[white is right]

The two greatest "Special Olympians" I have ever seen are Mike Tyson and Vince Young....

 

[P-NutLane]

Ha HA Ha HA HAAA!!! white is right, that is classic!

 

[The Hock]

There's a form of autism called Asberger's syndrome. While they can be quite intelligent, they are also obsessive and very slow to pick up on negative and conversational social cues from other people.

 

[bigunreal]

Ah, boo hoo hoo.   So your brother's a retard.   Now we have another group that no one is allowed to speak honestly about or have a sense of humor.  You sound exactly like a PC thought policeman, scolding Obama for a light and innocent joke.


Don't post that kind of crap on this board.  Your incessant liberal bloviating on politics and social issues is nauseating and goes directly against the agenda and mission of Caste Football.<!-- Message ''"" -->

I haven't posted here in a while. I have been checking the threads occasionally. I'm sorry, but I had to respond to this.

Don, did you actually post this odious message? I find it hard to believe that you could say something that offensive and hateful. Political correctness is an absurd concept when it is utilized to shield members of protected minority groups from all criticism. In this case, it's a matter of simple civility and morality, which you appear to be sorely lacking on this subject.

I happen to have a niece who was born with Down's Syndrome some 40 years ago. If you've ever had someone you love treated the way her "kind" invariably were back then, and are even now too often, I suspect you'd be a little more sensitive to flinging out juvenile, despicable words like "retard." Weren't you the guy who lectured the more extreme racist posters here in the past about using racial epithets?

When I was a child, good parents punished their small children for using the word "retard," even when it was directed at someone who was not mentally impaired. I believe you're a middle aged man, and obviously an intelligent one. What are you doing using language like that? I can only imagine how ToughJR felt when he read your scathing attack on him, and his brother. He showed a lot more class than you by not returning your vitriol, which he had every right to do.

I have commended you many times in the past over starting Caste Football. It's a refreshing and independent place for those of us who are fed up with the discrimination against whites in sports to go. That being said, you lashed out against a loyal poster here in a most uncharacteristic, unwarranted and unreasonable way. You offended not only his brother, but my niece and every other person who had the misfortune to be born with special challenges, with your callous and uncaring words. This world is cold enough for those of us who have all our senses working perfectly- can you try for a moment to step inside the shoes of those who must try to make their way through it with real disabilities and try to gain some perspective and empathy?

Maybe you just had a really, really bad day and weren't yourself when you posted this. Certainly it doesn't sound like anything I've ever read from you. If this is truly how you feel, you owe ToughJR an apology. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

 

[C Darwin]

Many people treat the word 'retard' in a very socially marxist way.

Imagine if Dick Chaney had made that remark. The media firestorm would have been blinding.

 

[P-NutLane]

I have a Nephew with down syndrome, I dont get offended by the word "retard". My sisters get red faced fightin mad about it though. I just thank God that MY son is perfectly healthy.

 

[OldSchoolBoy75]

I have a Nephew with down syndrome, I dont get offended by the word "retard". My sisters get red faced fightin mad about it though. I just thank God that MY son is perfectly healthy.

Considering that women are far more likely to go ballistic when someone says something they don't particularly like (which isn't surprising since they dominate in hyper-emotionalism), this is nothing new.

 

[guest301]

Ah, boo hoo hoo.   So your brother's a retard.   Now we have another group that no one is allowed to speak honestly about or have a sense of humor.  You sound exactly like a PC thought policeman, scolding Obama for a light and innocent joke.


Don't post that kind of crap on this board.  Your incessant liberal bloviating on politics and social issues is nauseating and goes directly against the agenda and mission of Caste Football.<!-- Message ''"" -->

I haven't posted here in a while. I have been checking the threads occasionally. I'm sorry, but I had to respond to this.

Don, did you actually post this odious message? I find it hard to believe that you could say something that offensive and hateful. Political correctness is an absurd concept when it is utilized to shield members of protected minority groups from all criticism. In this case, it's a matter of simple civility and morality, which you appear to be sorely lacking on this subject.

I happen to have a niece who was born with Down's Syndrome some 40 years ago. If you've ever had someone you love treated the way her "kind" invariably were back then, and are even now too often, I suspect you'd be a little more sensitive to flinging out juvenile, despicable words like "retard." Weren't you the guy who lectured the more extreme racist posters here in the past about using racial epithets?

When I was a child, good parents punished their small children for using the word "retard," even when it was directed at someone who was not mentally impaired. I believe you're a middle aged man, and obviously an intelligent one. What are you doing using language like that? I can only imagine how ToughJR felt when he read your scathing attack on him, and his brother. He showed a lot more class than you by not returning your vitriol, which he had every right to do.

I have commended you many times in the past over starting Caste Football. It's a refreshing and independent place for those of us who are fed up with the discrimination against whites in sports to go. That being said, you lashed out against a loyal poster here in a most uncharacteristic, unwarranted and unreasonable way. You offended not only his brother, but my niece and every other person who had the misfortune to be born with special challenges, with your callous and uncaring words. This world is cold enough for those of us who have all our senses working perfectly- can you try for a moment to step inside the shoes of those who must try to make their way through it with real disabilities and try to gain some perspective and empathy?

Maybe you just had a really, really bad day and weren't yourself when you posted this. Certainly it doesn't sound like anything I've ever read from you. If this is truly how you feel, you owe ToughJR an apology. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Bigunreal, like you, I was very much taken aback by Don's verbal attack on TJR and his brother. I also feel that attack was for the most part unwarranted and that he is owed a apology.

However, as much as I don't like Obama, I don't feel his "Special Olympics" crack was meant as any kind of attack on people with disabilities. The media is largely giving Obama a free pass on this as they should, God only knows no conservative Republican could have said such a thing. People need to toughen up and as long as such words like retard and special olympics are not said in front of people who have those conditions, then I think it's no big deal. People need to be able to tell the difference from a flippant remark meant to be funny and a remark meant to cause offense. There are too many protected classes in this country and the pc thought and speech police are out of control.

 

[Kaptain]

Here I thought we at caste football were pretty smart fellows compared to the rest of the sheeple. We have access to one of the most informational boards on sports and all political and social subjects and it seems as a group we are getting "dumber." Opps, I mean more mentally challenged, but not in a bad way - or funny way. Does that satify you ninny-nannies?

Lets face it - it wasn't the special olympics comment that offended you folks. It was that a Democrat said it. You so easily fall for the same trap that every retard in America falls for - Democrat vs. Republican ninny-nannying. Next you'll be telling me I'm throwing my vote away if I don't vote for some moron with an R by his name.

Oh, and please tell us all about the terrorists boogey men again. I believe since I'm a Ron Paul supporter and a member a caste football I too am a terrorist - and an insensitive one at that. Honestly, as George Bush said "Fool me once .... Aw the hell with it." Lets go to war with Iran and baaaahhhh like a bunch of retarded sheep.

My cousin is "slow". I personally wouldn't call a true retard a retard just as I wouldn't call a fatarse a fatarse - well unless of course he/she really got me mad. Anyways, my cousin's brother is not retarded. I know for fact he would not be offended by a "special olmpics" comment. If you get offended, you need check your pants and see if you still got a set. What's next? Are we going to outlaw the word stupid? We have all said "special olymic-like" jokes and we know it. So lets quit pretending to be offended. It's a political trap meant to distract you from what's really happening.

 

[OldSchoolBoy75]

Here are list of words and phrases the thought police have criminalized:


hate (only acceptable when referring to "hate crime" or "hate speech")

you people (the thought police want us to assume that blacks are the only ones that the word "people" refers to)

right (when it's used in lieu of "correct")

retard

handicapped

gay (only when referring to a non-male non-heterosexual or as a euphenism for something lame or ridiculous)

stewardess

phaggot

There are plenty others, but these are the ones that came off the top of my head all too quickly.

 

[ToughJ.Riggins]

There's a form of autism called Asberger's syndrome. While they can be quite intelligent, they are also obsessive and very slow to pick up on negative and conversational social cues from other people.

You are right about Aspergers. Some call it the nerdy professor syndrome. They have PARTICULAR topics they know a great deal about and are obsessed with. They have social difficulty. My brother has been classified as Autistic though- high functioning.

I no longer want to rant politically in this forum, but wanted to add one last thing to defend my post: I sometimes think Obama likes to see himself as a Hollywood type comic/celebrity instead of a politician. That is one of the reasons I over-scrutinize him for his comments. I also don't like him or the Democratic party.

 

[Bart]

Don does not OWE an apology to any poster on this site! Some of you are getting your undies in a bundle over absolutely nothing.

 

[Don Wassall]

I deliberately worded my post the way I did to show my exasperation at TJR's numerous liberal posts. Read the title of the thread -- it reads like it should be on a PC site, not here. It's Obama the PC socialist being criticized from the even more extreme PC left. Of course I have nothing but empathy for the disabled and those who care for them.


The fact is I've asked TJR numerous times, on posts and through PMs, not to interfere in contentious threads with his moralizing and not to constantly post his incredibly naive, idealistic form of liberalism on the board. But it goes in one ear and out the other. He's either unreachable, perhaps of his own disability he's written about, or perhaps because he's on a mission to make this site much more liberal and thus less interesting than it used to be.


And imo he appears to be succeeding. Why? For one reason because bigunreal and a lot of other stalwart posters, ones I enjoyed reading and interacting with so much,have abandoned CF. In bigunreal's case it appears to be because Sports Historian dared to criticize his theory on game fixing. Boo hoo hoo.


I don't "owe" anybody this site. It's always been a labor of love, but I have to pay for it, delete the spambots and trolls on a daily basis, check the posts for offensive (and possible illegal) material, etc. In short, I'm responsible for its corporate and legal existence.It takes a fair amount of my timeon a voluntary basis. I stick myhead out there. All I want or need in return is enjoyment of the site.But when the labor part of it begins to outweigh the "love" part, maybe it's time to conclude that Caste Football has served its purpose and should be discontinued.


It pains me to see how easily so many quality posters have left here, or cut down their posts to a bare minimum. We continue to pick up good new posters, but the site can never grow because good posters are always disappearing. How many of the posters with more than 500 posts have been around here lately? 10 percent? Apparently life as a racially aware white man is so difficult in America that almost none can continually support a pro-white group for long without being overcome by inertia or despair, even with so many outstanding white athletes out there to support in a sea of otherwise almost all bleak goings-on. Boo hoo hoo, woe is us.


There's no real commitment to Caste Football from all but a few. Although everyone has a "member number," there's not a single poster here who is currently an actual member. No one pays for an annual membership or makes a contribution to help with the costs of maintaining this "free" site other than on an extremely rare basis.


I've always wanted to see this site grow and expand. We should have numerous ongoing projects, including hiring someone ona full or part-time basis to write, report and research for Caste Football. But that's not remotely possible because there are so few stalwarts.


Examples: I spent a fair amount of money for Caste Football t-shirts. They were studiously ignored by 99% of "supporters." Same with the Caste Football business cards. Shortly I will have to begin the always humiliating process of trying to recruit a few people here to take over open teams in two fantasy football leagues. This fun, inexpensiveway to build up comradery and interest in the site is also ignored by just about everyone, including posters who write about their own fantasy teams but who wouldn'tdare consider ever joining one here.


On most boards, the committed will at least often keep a window to that board open, to show the flag so to speak, even when they're not active on the site. That's a simple way to show interest and commitment and encourage others to register and participate. But here it's more of a "hit and run" operation, in most cases a poster stops by for a minute or two then is gone.


So bigunreal, come out of hiding whenever you want as I try to hold off the moderates andliberals from taking over the board from solid posters like you who are much more groundedand knowledgeable when it comes to seeinghow the caste system fits into the bigger picture. But don't feign shock, or claim that I owe you an apology, if you come here one day to scrutinize and you get a blank page.

 

[bigunreal]

I'm astonished that apparently only guest301 agrees with me that Don's post was classless and offensive. Even ToughJR appears to be okay with Don's unprovoked verbal assault on him. Bart, I'm really surprised at you- I've been a big fan of your posts over the years. Don DOES owe ToughJR an apology. Or is apologizing politically correct also?

Kaptain Poop- I've also enjoyed your posts in the past. What are you trying to prove by using the word "retard" almost gratuituously in your post here, as if to taunt those of us who have loved ones with special challenges? True, you didn't take it to the toddler level, like Don did, and preface your comments with "boo hoo hoo," but it is still mean and immature. Is this childish sobriquet so valuable to you that you need to rub our noses in it, like a juvenile with the car keys? And I should "check my pants to see if I still got a set" because I object to mean spirited and uncalled for name calling? I'm happy you don't have anything "wrong" with you for others to belittle. I'm sure you might look at things differently if you did. As for all the other stuff you said, you must not have read very many of my 1100+ posts on this forum. I think I've noted many times before that there is no difference between the two parties, and I supported Ron Paul. Besides, what does any of that have to do with childishly lashing out at the brother of someone who said nothing offensive to you?

I realize this is Don's forum, and many of you are hesitant to call him out for his outrageous words in this thread. Maybe you all need to "grow a set" yourselves and stand up for what's right. There isn't anything weak or politically correct about being decent and civil with people. Manners aren't a sign of weakness; on the contrary they indicate morality. It's a far different thing to protest the objectionable behavior of so many blacks, and the preferential treatment our institutions accord them, than it is to mock and ridicule innocent people whose only offense was being born with some sort of handicap.

Old Schoolboy- you must not have been listening to the radio over the past decade, if you think that the word "retard" is frowned upon. On the contrary, it's become the most popular word on the airwaves, and has crept into movie and television scripts now, too. Thirty years ago, it would have been unthinkable to use that word in a flippant or pejorative way in the mainstream media. I'm sure "retard" is just as popular in the inner cities as it is in the trailer parks. Since most of you frown upon ghetto/thug culture as much as I do, can't you see that being so insensitive towards others is part and parcel of that ignorant mentality? It's not a big jump from blasting your music, or shouting out "m...f...er" in front of small children, or cutting in line to laughing at someone in a wheelchair or with Down's Syndrome.

Did any of you laugh at children in wheelchairs, or with painfully visible disorders like cerebal palsy, as youngsters? Yeah, I would have been one of those whose "panties would be in an uproar" over that, and I would have spoiled your fun.


Edited by: bigunreal

 

[White Shogun]

Very interesting turn of events on this thread. Who would have thought a verbal gaffe by Obama of all people could split this forum? Well, he is the Magic Negro, after all.

My take on this is between the extremes (as usual? I don't know.) I don't like the PC-mindset of the media or anyone else, and I don't want to act as a censor or be censored.

I would have objected had Obama been given a pass on this comment, but oddly enough, he hasn't (although I did see an article on Yahoo just this morning comparing his joke to the verbal gaffes and misspoken words of Bush / Palin, just to show the Magic Negro isn't alone in his ineptitude. )

What I do object to is the Office of the President of the United States being turned into a joke. It started with Bill Clinton and his sax playing and boxers-or-briefs BS. The President of the United States should not be on late night TV shows talking about his bowling game, or be on the cover of some rag that talks about the 'Jock in the White House.' The President of the United States should know better than to make a mocking joke about the disabled or anybody else. Obama deserves to be pilloried for his idiocy just like any other major (white) public figure would be who made such a stupid remark.

If anybody needs to be PC'd it's the liberal idiots and their figureheads like the Magic Negro. Give them a taste of their own medicine, imo.

Now, who needs a beer? Edited by: White Shogun

 

[bigunreal]

Don,

I DO respect what you've done here. Caste Football serves a noble purpose, and it has long been one of my favorite sites on the internet. That being said, I think that the level of discourse here is not what it used to be. This was reflected in your comments to ToughJR, which were about as cruel as I've seen on any forum. I'd like to think I would have felt that way even if I didn't have a loved one with Down's Syndrome, but when you've been in that situation, believe me you look at this whole issue differently. You definitely become more sensitive to the careless use of the word "retard."

I understand your frustration with having to finance the site yourself. I also admire you being about the only one of us to have the courage to use your real name on this forum, as I've told you privately. I wish I had that courage, but I simply can't risk my reputation and my family's standing in the community. I guess I wouldn't have made a good founding father. Who knows- maybe someday. I've toyed with writing a book about the whole Caste system subject. I may still do that, but it would have to be a special publisher that would even consider it.

I don't know about the issues you've had with ToughJR. This wasn't about him or any other individual poster with me. I simply objected to what you said to him. I'm certainly not a conventional right-winger myself; I'm a populist, but have many far left-wing beliefs. That doesn't stop me from being offended by the unpleasant and ignorant behavior of far too many in the black "community," and the ridiculous excuses made for it by our corrupt leaders.

I will continue to visit the forum and perhaps post here when the spirit moves me. Hopefully my often dissenting voice will be welcomed.

 

[Bart]

Bigunreal, I certainly do not wish to injure your feelings or appear callous, but I really do believe you are being overly sensitive. Perhaps if I was in your situation I would be too.


Don has shown repeatedly that he is a man of honor and worthy of our respect. Wouldn't we all agree? Of course. Sometimes we (myself included) need to chill out and not take offense over every jot and tittle.


Don you made a good point about supporting this site. I admit to being a slacker. I don't like using credit cards over the internet, is there a snail mail addy to which we can send donations?

 

[sport historian]

Very interesting turn of events on this thread. Who would have thought a verbal gaffe by Obama of all people could split this forum? Well, he is the Magic Negro, after all.

My take on this is between the extremes (as usual? I don't know.) I don't like the PC-mindset of the media or anyone else, and I don't want to act as a censor or be censored.

I would have objected had Obama been given a pass on this comment, but oddly enough, he hasn't (although I did see an article on Yahoo just this morning comparing his joke to the verbal gaffes and misspoken words of Bush / Palin, just to show the Magic Negro isn't alone in his ineptitude. )

What I do object to is the Office of the President of the United States being turned into a joke. It started with Bill Clinton and his sax playing and boxers-or-briefs BS. The President of the United States should not be on late night TV shows talking about his bowling game, or be on the cover of some rag that talks about the 'Jock in the White House.' The President of the United States should know better than to make a mocking joke about the disabled or anybody else. Obama deserves to be pilloried for his idiocy just like any other major (white) public figure would be who made such a stupid remark.

If anybody needs to be PC'd it's the liberal idiots and their figureheads like the Magic Negro. Give them a taste of their own medicine, imo.

Now, who needs a beer?

In a way, Obama is following Bill Clinton's example. The thing about Clinton is that there was no escaping him. He was ALWAYS on TV. Clibton would be saying that something (health care, race relations, etc) needed some government iniative, or was the "right thing to do," and was hectoring the public.

Obama is going even farther by appearing on Jay Leno. He gives his predictions on a sporting event. Obama is going to be on TV all the time telling us what we are supposed to do and think.

 

[Kaptain]

Kaptain Poop- I've also enjoyed your posts in the past. What are you trying to prove by using the word "retard" almost gratuituously in your post here, as if to taunt those of us who have loved ones with special challenges? True, you didn't take it to the toddler level, like Don did, and preface your comments with "boo hoo hoo," but it is still mean and immature. Is this childish sobriquet so valuable to you that you need to rub our noses in it, like a juvenile with the car keys? And I should "check my pants to see if I still got a set" because I object to mean spirited and uncalled for name calling? I'm happy you don't have anything "wrong" with you for others to belittle. I'm sure you might look at things differently if you did. As for all the other stuff you said, you must not have read very many of my 1100+ posts on this forum. I think I've noted many times before that there is no difference between the two parties, and I supported Ron Paul. Besides, what does any of that have to do with childishly lashing out at the brother of someone who said nothing offensive to you?

Big, My post was not directed at you or just at you. If you read it is directed at anybody that pretends to be offended by Obama's quip. Don's use of the word "retard" as well as mine is used for effect on an adult thread that is never read by the truely retarded. We all have loved-ones who are mentally retarded. And we have all called others stupid, dumb, and yes retarded - but never directly to someone who is truely retarded.

I've read your posts for years now and have enjoyed most - except the ones that continually think every single game is fixed. Personally, I think that Don calling you out on the fixed-game thing is the reason you have now lashed out at him for using the word retard in a thread about the retarded. That's my opinion anyway.

The Ron Paul comment was because another poster used this opportunity to once again bring up "terrorists" as if Rush, Hannity, and the Bush regime didn't remind us enough about terror daily. Did you fall for it? The threads here are beginning to read like typical sheeple threads. Argue about meaningless distractions and then bring up terrororists.

As far as me not caring about the retarded - you would hardly know. Just for fun I'll tell you. That retarded cousin of mine plays on my adult softball team that I manage - even though he is the worst player in the league and sometimes costs us games. I insist that he plays because he enjoys it more than anybody. The only retarded kid in my class still to this day identifies me as his best friend in high school. We have the same birthday and I try to visit him every year on that date. Oh, and I also teach several retarded kids. We call them Developemental Cognitively Delayed.

My point is we are all normal brained adults on a political discussion forum. We at least once were not so quick to pin the "I'm offended" medal of honor on our chest. We need to get back to being like castefootball used to be.

Edited by: Kaptain Poop