Discussions
Obama should not have apologized
Posted by jefftompkins71 • 3/20/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: apology, humor, obama, special olympics
Political correctness is the death of comedy and humor. Overreactions such as the one regarding the President's off-the-cuff attempt at humor on last night's "Tonight Show" are ridiculous.
I believe that the best way to push back against political correctness and speech codes is not with anger, but rather with humor.
That's pretty much what I have to say about it on any serious level because I believe we should dismiss the Speech Police.
So, in keeping with the theme of my blog, that's what I did today in a satirical news story about the White House issuing an apology to anyone that Obama may have "potentially offended" in the past: jefftompkins.blogspot.com/2009/03/obama-apologizes-for-all-potentially.html
User Comments
-
I kind of agree. I have about three autistic people in my family, one being my brother (who's been in the Special Olympics) and I saw the humour in it. I'll admit it was a lame joke, but it wasn't mean spirited.
But at the same time, he might as well apologize. He's the President and people are always watching and scrutinizing him. If he didn't apologize, people would see him in a negative light. -
people will see him in any light they want to see him in. I'm glad he apologized for his attempt at humor but I don't see that he was speaking from cruelty or meanness so I think it is being over reacted to by many who just want to complain about him and really aren't the slightest bit offended by his comment.-
If it was up to me personally, I wouldn't make him apologize. I'm just saying that he might as well.
-
-
Having taught classes with special needs kids - severely autistic & mentally retarded....it's pretty clear that having a great sense of humor is a MUST.
It was a crappy joke, and I'm sure he started kicking himself right after saying it, but - the people who are most "outraged" by this have likely never had anything to do with anyone with special needs. Those who have know that wasting time being outraged solves nothing. It's much better to laugh things off and move on with life.-
I agree. Living with someone who has special needs is hard. You need to be able to laugh once in a while. I can't get mad at everyone who makes a joke. Instead I use that energy to help my brother and make him smile because that is what's most important.
-
-
He did wrong. He apologized. What I can't get over is how hung up people are on this one special Olympics gaffe. America faces huge economic challenges and business as usual will NOT cure the problems. The huge economic problem affects almost every other nation on earth. So is this fixation on the gaffe an avoidance mechanism or what?
-
pretty much. It's the ostrich sticking its head in the sand technique...
-
I get the impression some folks were just WAITING for an opportunity like this to say, "See? See?"... And if it weren't this, it would be something else.
It's political schadenfreude. -
@ThriftShopRomantic: "It's political schadenfreude."
Love it! (and couldn't have put it better) -
oh I agree that they were. I'm not a staunch Obama supporter but I am pretty clear headed. With so many other issues that are real and very scary, Obama's attempt at humor isn't really a big deal. The people who are all over this with fingers pointed aren't glad to see an apology, they're using the fact that he did apologize as more reason to complain. Seems silly to me.
-
-
Bah! Who cares? I like dark humor. Give me Carlin, Kinison, Dangerfield, and Black any day of the week.
I know he's the president and stupid people and smart people alike see him as a role model, but I have more respect for a person's ideas than their personality or actions. Obama's economic ideas should prevent the economy from falling apart at the seams, and he's very pro-science.
People are too easily offended these days.
Add Your Comment
Login to leave a message.
