Obama mocks the disabled

[Sir David Gray]

Barack Obama made a very unfortunate remark whilst appearing on the Jay Leno show. He ridiculed his poor bowling performance, saying it was "like the Special Olympics or something."

For anyone that doesn't know, the Special Olympics is an international sporting competition for athletes, who have learning/intellectual difficulties, to compete.

It would be bad enough if Joe Bloggs came out with that remark, but for the President of the USA to say something like that is a disgrace. If a BBC presenter made a comment like that on air, there would be calls for them to resign.

It's good that he has apologised but it's something that should not have been said in the first place and he should have known better.

I think it's more than a little ironic that people were saying the arrival of Obama would signal the end of unfortunate comments by a US President, since he was so great in front of a camera.

This mishap was more George Bush, than Bush himself.

I'm far from PC, in fact I generally back anyone's right to say whatever they like within reason, but I just can't stand anyone poking fun at people with an intellectual/learning disability, I think it's the lowest you can go.

Thoughts?

[cabbageandribs1875]

he realised what he had said very shortly afterwards, called the chairman of the committee from his airplane and gave a sincere apology which was accepted, what do you suggest his punishment should be ?

[Pete]

Barack Obama made a very unfortunate remark whilst appearing on the Jay Leno show. He ridiculed his poor bowling performance, saying it was "like the Special Olympics or something."

For anyone that doesn't know, the Special Olympics is an international sporting competition for athletes, who have learning/intellectual difficulties, to compete.

It would be bad enough if Joe Bloggs came out with that remark, but for the President of the USA to say something like that is a disgrace. If a BBC presenter made a comment like that on air, there would be calls for them to resign.

It's good that he has apologised but it's something that should not have been said in the first place and he should have known better.

I think it's more than a little ironic that people were saying the arrival of Obama would signal the end of unfortunate comments by a US President, since he was so great in front of a camera.

This mishap was more George Bush, than Bush himself.

I'm far from PC, in fact I generally back anyone's right to say whatever they like within reason, but I just can't stand anyone poking fun at people with an intellectual/learning disability, I think it's the lowest you can go.

Thoughts?

He's been the president for how long??

The least you would expect it no major howlers within the first year.


I'm starting to get worried if this is the man on the big button.

[hibsdaft]

the look on his face when he realised what he'd said was comedy :greengrin

[Scooter]

i'm one for believing that everyone has their own opinion but people do go to far sometimes. The GUY has made little mistake that everyone has made. I very much doubt he meant it. I'm glad he is getting the big decisions right about nuclear war and trying to build relations up with other nations like russia and iran than making a silly wee comment to a talk show. This is probably the reason why no other president has been on a talk show cause their public ratings might nose dive if they make a silly wee comment by mistake and everyone blows it out of proportion atleat the guy is trying to change America and he is trying to connect with different people

[Steve-O]

Laughed when I heard about it. Off the cuff remark and I'm fairly certain he doesn't go round mocking the disabled on a day to day basis.

[hibiedude]

the look on his face when he realised what he'd said was comedy :greengrin

The fact is he must have been thinking about it before he said it. :bitchy:

[(((Fergus)))]

It was insensitive, but accurate. They ARE gash at bowls.

[(((Fergus)))]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKlYT2bseII

He shouldn't have gone on there in the first place though. You could see him starting to revel in the attention then....oops!!

[steakbake]

The fact is he must have been thinking about it before he said it. :bitchy:

Thoughtcrimes!

[Woody1985]

It was insensitive, but accurate. They ARE gash at bowls.

:faf:

I think maybe too much is being made of this. It was an error of judgement which he's apologised for. As someone above has said I'm sure he doesn't go around mocking the disabled.

I'm pretty sure a lot of people have made the stupid noise when you or someone else has done something incredibly stupid.

[Hainan Hibs]

I'll get hounded for this but I found that funny:faf:.

[Sylar]

Some folks are too easily offended/quick to take the high road.

The OP claims to be "non-PC" and in the same sentence claims he is intolerable towards any quip made towards people who are handicapped/have learning difficulties?

Compared to some of the things which are said on the likes of Mock the Week, Never Mind the Buzzcocks etc, it was a simple mishap, which he apologised for.

Rediculous that people are now claiming he's not fit for office.

[hibsbollah]

It was insensitive, but accurate. They ARE gash at bowls.


:faf:

[Betty Boop]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6223232123104914517&ei=-9i4SciUE4G0wgPx1s3IAQ&q=Obama+deception+site:video.google.com&hl=en&so=1&dur=3

[stu in nottingham]

I work with people with disabilities and whilst I wouldn't presume to speak for any of them, my feeling is that they wouldn't be too upset about such a remark, having been the recipient of them many times before. That doesn't make it right though.

It was unfortunate I think. The important thing is that he apologised for any offence caused.

[Golden Bear]

Barack Obama made a very unfortunate remark whilst appearing on the Jay Leno show. He ridiculed his poor bowling performance, saying it was "like the Special Olympics or something."

For anyone that doesn't know, the Special Olympics is an international sporting competition for athletes, who have learning/intellectual difficulties, to compete.

It would be bad enough if Joe Bloggs came out with that remark, but for the President of the USA to say something like that is a disgrace. If a BBC presenter made a comment like that on air, there would be calls for them to resign.

It's good that he has apologised but it's something that should not have been said in the first place and he should have known better.

I think it's more than a little ironic that people were saying the arrival of Obama would signal the end of unfortunate comments by a US President, since he was so great in front of a camera.

This mishap was more George Bush, than Bush himself.

I'm far from PC, in fact I generally back anyone's right to say whatever they like within reason, but I just can't stand anyone poking fun at people with an intellectual/learning disability, I think it's the lowest you can go.

Thoughts?

Lighten up please.

I'm sure no offence was intended. He may be President of the USA but he's also a human being, and like as all, he'll come out with the occasional gaff.

[Sir David Gray]

When people are abused on grounds of race, gender, religion and even physical disabilities, these people understand that people are taking the mickey out of them and can at least answer back. Many people with a mental problem cannot stand up for themselves. As I said in my original post, I think that making fun of people with learning/intellectual difficulties is the lowest that anyone can go. For the President of the USA to make a 'joke' of this nature, beggars belief.

If Obama had made a comment that was deemed to be racist, there would have been a far greater hoohaa made of it.

I acknowledge the fact that Obama has apologised for his comments and I don't think any further punishment should be handed out (to answer the person who asked what his punishment should be.)

I also don't see the relevance of saying that far more offensive things are said on "Mock The Week" and "Never Mind The Buzzcocks". As far as i'm aware, it's not heads of state that appear on these programmes and make the offensive remarks. If Joe Bloggs had made this remark, I wouldn't have given two hoots.

As I said in the previous post, I am not pro PC, I just have a problem with mocking people with a mental disability.

I think it might be a while before we see Obama back on a chat show.

[GC]

When people are abused on grounds of race, gender, religion and even physical disabilities, these people understand that people are taking the mickey out of them and can at least answer back. Many people with a mental problem cannot stand up for themselves. As I said in my original post, I think that making fun of people with learning/intellectual difficulties is the lowest that anyone can go. For the President of the USA to make a 'joke' of this nature, beggars belief.

If Obama had made a comment that was deemed to be racist, there would have been a far greater hoohaa made of it.

I acknowledge the fact that Obama has apologised for his comments and I don't think any further punishment should be handed out (to answer the person who asked what his punishment should be.)

I also don't see the relevance of saying that far more offensive things are said on "Mock The Week" and "Never Mind The Buzzcocks". As far as i'm aware, it's not heads of state that appear on these programmes and make the offensive remarks. If Joe Bloggs had made this remark, I wouldn't have given two hoots.

As I said in the previous post, I am not pro PC, I just have a problem with mocking people with a mental disability.

I think it might be a while before we see Obama back on a chat show.

You do know the special olympics is not solely for people with learning problems.

[Sylar]

When people are abused on grounds of race, gender, religion and even physical disabilities, these people understand that people are taking the mickey out of them and can at least answer back. Many people with a mental problem cannot stand up for themselves. As I said in my original post, I think that making fun of people with learning/intellectual difficulties is the lowest that anyone can go. For the President of the USA to make a 'joke' of this nature, beggars belief.

If Obama had made a comment that was deemed to be racist, there would have been a far greater hoohaa made of it.

I acknowledge the fact that Obama has apologised for his comments and I don't think any further punishment should be handed out (to answer the person who asked what his punishment should be.)

I also don't see the relevance of saying that far more offensive things are said on "Mock The Week" and "Never Mind The Buzzcocks". As far as i'm aware, it's not heads of state that appear on these programmes and make the offensive remarks. If Joe Bloggs had made this remark, I wouldn't have given two hoots.

As I said in the previous post, I am not pro PC, I just have a problem with mocking people with a mental disability.

I think it might be a while before we see Obama back on a chat show.

You're contradicting yourself now. It can't be "one rule for some, another for others" you either have a problem with remarks against mentally challenged individuals, or you're more liberal than you think. There's no reason Obama's remarks are any more offensive because he is Commander and Chief.

It was an off the cuff remark which all of us have done at some point or another. Like everything else though, it will be blown up because of who he is.

[Hibs Class]

This thread would be better headed up "Obama mocks Obama". Seeing as that's what he was actually doing.

[Mixu62]

So he committed a gaff and apologised immediately. Compared to his predecessor he's a genius.

What I'd like to know is, what is the most powerful man on the planet doing on the Jay Leno show?!!:confused: Surely he's got something more important to be getting on with?

[Jay]

It was a ridiculous comment made by him and one that will probably give him sleepless nights for a long time. Off the cuff stupid remark but thats all it was. He apologised very quickly - what more can he do?

I worked with people with learning disabilities and I think the majority of them would have laughed too. Most of them had a wicked sense of humour.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

As I said in the previous post, I am not pro PC, I just have a problem with mocking people with a mental disability.


Possibly what you mean is that you reserve the right to be 'non-PC' as you put it, so that you can be offensive to others, but get a bit more sensitive about it when the insult is directed more in your direction?

[TheBall'sRound]

If he's bowling to a special olympic standard I can only imagine he's a very very good bowler!

If you consider that a "special olympian" can run 100m in under 11sec with no legs I would say the bowlers would probably give us all a good skinning at Fountain Park :greengrin

We all know what he means, we've all said inappropriate things - cut the guy some slack.

[lyonhibs]

This might be the very definition of a non-story. Obama doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to go maliciously planning that comment into his speech. He was at ease chatting away on a tv chat show (can you imagine Mr Broon doing likewise - snore!!!!) and made a gaffe - granted a fairly major one, but one that he realised immediately and apologised for immedialtely afterwards - short of inventing a super-dooper time machine, he's done all he can to rectify it. As mentioned, Special Olympians are more likely to have laughed at that gaffe as opposed to hit the roof.

I'll wait till he comes out with something just a little bit more "Rivers of Blood"-esque in proportion before jumping on the "incredibly easily offended" bandwagon.

GGTTH

[Sir David Gray]

You do know the special olympics is not solely for people with learning problems.

It's for people with intellectual disabilities and other related problems.


You're contradicting yourself now. It can't be "one rule for some, another for others"

I think it can be 'one rule for one and another for others'. I think mocking those who are mentally handicapped is in a league of its own.


you either have a problem with remarks against mentally challenged individuals, or you're more liberal than you think.

It's got nothing at all to do with how liberal I am. I just don't like hearing people mock the mentally handicapped, least of all the President of the USA.


There's no reason Obama's remarks are any more offensive because he is Commander and Chief.

I think the fact he is the President does make it worse than if some random no mark had made the same comment.


It was an off the cuff remark which all of us have done at some point or another. Like everything else though, it will be blown up because of who he is.

I don't believe it has been blown up. Perhaps more has been made of what he said in the American media, but I haven't heard/seen our media mention it since last Friday (and in Saturday's papers).

If he had made a similar 'joke' based on race, sexual orientation or religion, there would have been a lot more said about it.


Possibly what you mean is that you reserve the right to be 'non-PC' as you put it, so that you can be offensive to others, but get a bit more sensitive about it when the insult is directed more in your direction?

How can you possibly know what I meant to say? I do not reserve the right to be offensive to others, I don't think i've knowingly or deliberately offended anyone in my entire life.

Generally, everyone has one particular issue that really gets their goat. For many people, that issue is racism. For me, it is mocking the mentally handicapped.

Also, this isn't aimed more in my direction, i'm not mentally handicapped.


This might be the very definition of a non-story. Obama doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to go maliciously planning that comment into his speech. He was at ease chatting away on a tv chat show (can you imagine Mr Broon doing likewise - snore!!!!) and made a gaffe - granted a fairly major one, but one that he realised immediately and apologised for immedialtely afterwards - short of inventing a super-dooper time machine, he's done all he can to rectify it. As mentioned, Special Olympians are more likely to have laughed at that gaffe as opposed to hit the roof.

I'll wait till he comes out with something just a little bit more "Rivers of Blood"-esque in proportion before jumping on the "incredibly easily offended" bandwagon.

GGTTH

I'm not saying that he should be strung up on the Statue of Liberty, i'm not even saying that it was even close to being 'crime of the century'.

One of my main points was basically trying to get across that after his predecessor (partial to the odd public mishap every now and again) had left office, everyone was saying how the satirists would now be out of a job, as Obama was so much more at ease, in front of a camera, than Bush.

But within 2 months of him being sworn in, he has made a gaffe that is arguably as bad as anything George Bush had to say.

I can be accused of being a lot of things but being on the "incredibly easily offended" bandwagon, is not one of them. I wasn't offended by what he said, I just didn't like it and I didn't think it was becoming of the President of the USA.

Also this (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-special-olympics21-2009mar21,0,7433169.story) article would suggest that not all Special Olympics athletes have taken it as a joke, as a lot on here have suggested would be the case.

However, he has apologised and the chairman of the Special Olympics, although disappointed at the remarks, has accepted that apology. For me, that should now be the end of it.

[Woody1985]

I think it can be 'one rule for one and another for others'. I think mocking those who are mentally handicapped is in a league of its own.

That's utter BS.



However, he has apologised and the chairman of the Special Olympics, although disappointed at the remarks, has accepted that apology. For me, that should now be the end of it.

Why start a thread about it then? As I understand he had apologised by the time this thread had even been started.

It's immediately obvious that some people will be offended, others won't and others will simply expect better from the guy who's America's saviour.

[muz1875]

Why start a thread about it then? As I understand he had apologised by the time this thread had even been started.


Exactly what I was just gonna post. And Falkirk, how exactly was he mocking them? Like 2468 said, he was mocking himself.

On a side note, isn't the term 'Special' Olympics a bit patronising to start with? :dunno:

[matty_f]

Is he not just mocking disabled bowlers?

Surely disabled shot-putters, high-jumpers and runners etc. wouldn't have been offended!

[Sir David Gray]

That's utter BS.

OK, that's your opinion.


Why start a thread about it then? As I understand he had apologised by the time this thread had even been started.

It's immediately obvious that some people will be offended, others won't and others will simply expect better from the guy who's America's saviour.

I've already said why I started the thread, but in the interests of clarity, I'll state them again;

1-I thought the comments were totally out of order for a head of state to make.

2-I thought it was hugely ironic that just 2 months after the most error prone leader for years had gone, his apparently much more eloquent successor makes a gaffe that is arguably worse than anything George Bush said.

3-I also wanted to say how this has been treated a lot more lightly than if he had mocked homosexuals or Asians (just as an example).

I have already heard much more, in the way of outrage, about an innocent joke that Sir David Jason made, on a radio station, about a Pakistani cloakroom attendant, even although the joke was not directly offensive to anyone and most certainly wasn't racist. The fact it wasn't particularly funny is irrelevant.


Exactly what I was just gonna post. And Falkirk, how exactly was he mocking them? Like 2468 said, he was mocking himself.

On a side note, isn't the term 'Special' Olympics a bit patronising to start with?

First point-Yes, of course he was primarily mocking himself. But in doing so, he was mocking disabled athletes by saying that his bowling performance was so bad, that you would have expected to see such a terrible performance at the Special Olympics.

It actually shows his complete ignorance when, in fact, his score of 129 is much lower than many top bowlers at the Special Olympics.

Second point-I'm guessing that the term comes from the fact that those who participate have special needs.

[Hibs Class]

If he's bowling to a special olympic standard I can only imagine he's a very very good bowler!

If you consider that a "special olympian" can run 100m in under 11sec with no legs I would say the bowlers would probably give us all a good skinning at Fountain Park :greengrin

We all know what he means, we've all said inappropriate things - cut the guy some slack.

I've just realised that there is a difference between the Special Olympics (for "people with intellectual difficulties" according to Google) and the Paralympics (for "people with physical and visual difficulties").

I hadn't previously realised the distinction, which means that this thread has at least been of use to me. Also, whilst there's every chance that Obama is cleverer than me, maybe he also didn't realise the difference? Still a mountain / molehill in the grand scheme of things.

[Allant1981]

It actually shows his complete ignorance when, in fact, his score of 129 is much lower than many top bowlers at the Special Olympics.


From a web site I found after the "terrible incident"

the best bowlers at the Special Olympics are better than your average Joe—and Barack Obama. In the 2003 games, the top three-game average was 182.

So you might not be correct with this statement

[muz1875]

First point-Yes, of course he was primarily mocking himself. But in doing so, he was mocking disabled athletes by saying that his bowling performance was so bad, that you would have expected to see such a terrible performance at the Special Olympics.

It actually shows his complete ignorance when, in fact, his score of 129 is much lower than many top bowlers at the Special Olympics.


So what did you mean when you said his apology should be 'the end of the matter'? I took that to mean it shouldn't be brought up again, so you're still contradicting yourself by saying that but starting a thread about it after an apology had been made.

And as for the bit I've quoted, what happens if he had said "my bowling was worse than the special olympics" instead, which would be technically be true?

[Gus]

Flaming heck what a debate............Whether he is the head of state or not the guy is a human being, Yes the remark was by far not the smartest thing to come out of the lads mouth, but can anyone say that they have NEVER used a remark that was made off the cuff.

IMO the lad has apologised & no doubt the press coverage, debate that has come out of this will end up being a good thing for the games as it will bring the games to more peoples attention.

Being totally honest & probably quite niave I didnt even know there was a Special Olympics - I thought it was a film with Johnny Knoxsville (Falkirk did you get angry when that film was in the cinemas?)

Anyway thats my thoughts on it:agree:

[Hal Jordan]

For goodness' sake, why should anybody really give a rats ass?
PC warriors really need to find something better to do.

[Gus]

For goodness' sake, why should anybody really give a rats ass?
PC warriors really need to find something better to do.

:top marks

[SlickShoes]

If he's bowling to a special olympic standard I can only imagine he's a very very good bowler!

If you consider that a "special olympian" can run 100m in under 11sec with no legs I would say the bowlers would probably give us all a good skinning at Fountain Park :greengrin

We all know what he means, we've all said inappropriate things - cut the guy some slack.

I think your getting the Special Olympics and the Paralympics mixed up a bit here, no one in the special olympics is running the 100m in 11seconds and has no legs.

[Sir David Gray]

So what did you mean when you said his apology should be 'the end of the matter'? I took that to mean it shouldn't be brought up again, so you're still contradicting yourself by saying that but starting a thread about it after an apology had been made.

And as for the bit I've quoted, what happens if he had said "my bowling was worse than the special olympics" instead, which would be technically be true?

I meant that no further action should be taken against him, since he apologised. I still think he deserves to be criticised for his remarks because someone in his position should not be saying things like that.

Someone else mentioned Gordon Brown earlier in this thread. You can say whatever you like about him, but I would bet my boots that he would never say something like that. The same could be said of David Cameron.


For goodness' sake, why should anybody really give a rats ass?
PC warriors really need to find something better to do.

I totally agree. As I have said several times now, I have no time for political correctness as I believe it has gone too far.

However I don't think that making a complaint about the American President mocking the mentally handicapped falls into the category of being politically correct.

I'm probably going to leave this thread now as I feel as if I am just repeating myself. However if anyone asks me any direct questions, I will answer them.

[hibiedude]

Thoughtcrimes!

it wasn't a crime but a silly comment made by the most powerful man on earth, and the fact he is black makes it worse because he knows only to well how hard it was growing up in America and even going out for meal he writes in his book were black and whites were segregated should have made him aware how these words would have been taken.

so i'm not sure what your on about with your reply :confused:

[Peevemor]

Laughed when I heard about it. Off the cuff remark and I'm fairly certain he doesn't go round mocking the disabled on a day to day basis.

I reckon he might - well maybe not every day, but how often have you made a joke about the special olympics? Never would be my guess, but Obama came out with this off the top of his head? I find that a bit off.


The fact is he must have been thinking about it before he said it. :bitchy:


Correct.

[HibsMax]

Barack Obama made a very unfortunate remark whilst appearing on the Jay Leno show. He ridiculed his poor bowling performance, saying it was "like the Special Olympics or something."

For anyone that doesn't know, the Special Olympics is an international sporting competition for athletes, who have learning/intellectual difficulties, to compete.

It would be bad enough if Joe Bloggs came out with that remark, but for the President of the USA to say something like that is a disgrace. If a BBC presenter made a comment like that on air, there would be calls for them to resign.

It's good that he has apologised but it's something that should not have been said in the first place and he should have known better.

I think it's more than a little ironic that people were saying the arrival of Obama would signal the end of unfortunate comments by a US President, since he was so great in front of a camera.

This mishap was more George Bush, than Bush himself.

I'm far from PC, in fact I generally back anyone's right to say whatever they like within reason, but I just can't stand anyone poking fun at people with an intellectual/learning disability, I think it's the lowest you can go.

Thoughts?
My thoughts are that if this was George Bush I would be way more upset about it. And I know that's not fair. It was a silly remark to make and he apologised for it but that doesn't make it any better. Unfortunate and very good ammo for Obama haters BUT if that is the worst thing that comes out of his mouth then I think we'll be OK.

[HibsMax]

The fact is he must have been thinking about it before he said it. :bitchy:
Why is that a fact? Why does it have to be premeditated? I would go the other way and suggest that he just blurted it out. I honestly believe that if he did give the remark any thought at all he would absolutely not have said it.

[hibiedude]

Why is that a fact? Why does it have to be premeditated? I would go the other way and suggest that he just blurted it out. I honestly believe that if he did give the remark any thought at all he would absolutely not have said it.

I find that hard to believe to be honest Obama is on a crest of a wave on the world stage at present and thought for some strange reason that comment was funny. Perhaps he should leave the chat show circuit to the Professionals.

Carol Thatcher lost her job in this country for less in my opinion. she referred to a runner as a golliwog, Obama mocks the disabled how else could his comments be taken. Everyone has there discriminations just because he;s black doesn't make him any different.

[Woody1985]

I find that hard to believe to be honest Obama is on a crest of a wave on the world stage at present and thought for some strange reason that comment was funny. Perhaps he should leave the chat show circuit to the Professions.

Carol Thatcher lost her job in this country for less in my opinion. she referred to a runner as a golliwog, Obama mocks the disabled how else could his comments be taken. Everyone has there discriminations just because he;s black doesn't make him any different.

:faf:

Who's treating him differently cos he's black? :confused:

[hibiedude]

:faf:

Who's treating him differently cos he's black? :confused:

Woody I think you took the post wrong way mate :confused:

[Woody1985]

Woody I think you took the post wrong way mate :confused:

I think so too after re-reading (is that a word?!). :greengrin

[NYHibby]

Wow, I can't believe people are still talking about this. As much as I don't like Obama, this is a complete non-story. We American make jokes about things being "******ed" all the time. Obama's problem was he was trying to be PC while making an off the cuff joke. He was just trying to avoid saying ******ed on air.

The real problem with this is why he was going on the Tonight Show in the first place. Trying to distract the American public from the complete failure that is his administration, anyone?

[Woody1985]

Wow, I can't believe people are still talking about this. As much as I don't like Obama, this is a complete non-story. We American make jokes about things being "******ed" all the time. Obama's problem was he was trying to be PC while making an off the cuff joke. He was just trying to avoid saying ******ed on air.

The real problem with this is why he was going on the Tonight Show in the first place. Trying to distract the American public from the complete failure that is his administration, anyone?

Does he not need a bit of time to actually do something first before it can be classed as a failure?!

[HibsMax]

I find that hard to believe to be honest Obama is on a crest of a wave on the world stage at present and thought for some strange reason that comment was funny. Perhaps he should leave the chat show circuit to the Professionals.


Well we'll never know I suppose. At this point all we have is each other's opinion. I personally don't believe he would plan to say what he said. You do. Neither of us have anything to backup our claims.


Carol Thatcher lost her job in this country for less in my opinion. she referred to a runner as a golliwog, Obama mocks the disabled how else could his comments be taken. Everyone has there discriminations just because he;s black doesn't make him any different.
I am not supporting his comments, they were out of line. He should be hauled over the coals for it. The fact that he is black bears on relevance to this debate.......unless you think that he is abusing his race to try and get away with saying things he shouldn't....

[NYHibby]

Does he not need a bit of time to actually do something first before it can be classed as a failure?!

Well, he's had since November to come up with an economically sound plan for the economy and he's failed to do that. You could make the case that he has had over a year. His pick for treasury secretary is widely regarded as a joke. This AIG bonus scandal, which is the government's fault in the first place, is being fueled by Obama as a distraction and to keep his poll numbers from dropping more. His poll numbers are lower than George Bush's were at this time eight years ago.