March 20, 2009
Staunch supporter First Lady Maria Shriver and recent host Gov Schwarzenegger comment on barry’s “thoughtless joke”.
Maria Shriver’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founded the Special Olympics in honor of her sister, Rosemary Kennedy, who possessed a special mind. At the time, Rosemary’s specialness was not known and to tell the truth, in those days there was stigma attached to intellectual, mental or psychiatric disabilities. Eunice took the first step and the Special Olympics were born in Mayor Daley Sr’s 1968 Chicago.
A true feat.
Maria Shriver’s brother, Tim Shriver, is Chairman of the Special Olympics. He made appearances on Good Morning America and Andrea Mitchell today.
First Lady of California Maria Shriver released a statement on her website regarding barry’s “offhand remark”.
PRESS STATEMENT: First Lady Maria Shriver Issues Statement on President Obama’s Comments Regarding Special Olympics:
While I am confident that President Obama never intended to offend anyone, the response that his comments have caused, coupled with the reaction of a primetime audience, demonstrate the need to continue to educate the non-disabled community on the issues that confront those with a developmental disability. My mother has dedicated her life to fighting stereotypes and ridicule for this community, and there is still much work to be done.
The President’s apology for his comments and his commitment to bringing the Special Olympics to the White House are important first steps in shedding light on this important issue. Often times we don’t realize that when we laugh at comments like this it hurts millions of people throughout the world. People with special needs are great athletes and productive citizens, and I look forward to working with the President to knock down myths and stereotypes about this community.
Her husband, Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger:
I didn’t see it. But I heard about it and I know because of conversations I had with the president about the Special Olympics, and I’m an international coach of the Special Olympics, I know where his heart is at. He loves the Special Olympics and he would do everything he can to help the Special Olympics. And every one of us sometimes makes a mistake by something comes out of your mouth and you say ‘Oops I wish I wouldn’t have said that.’ I’ve had many of those.
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(2-19) barry’s “It’s like the Special Olympics”
(2-19) Bill Burton: Apology #1 “offhand remark”
(2-20) Robert Gibbs: Apology #2 “thoughtless joke”
(2-20) Gov Palin re: Trig & Special Olympics (video)
(2-20) Gov Palin re: barry’s Special Olympics “joke”
(2-20) Gov Arnold & Maria Shriver re: barry’s Special Olympics “joke”
(2-20) Special Olympics video: The new R-word is Respect
(2-20) Bowling in top 5 Special Olympics sports, Kolan McConiughey
(2-20) Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver statement re: barry’s ”joke”
(2-20) GMA: Tim Shriver: “This kind of language needs to be a teachable moment”
(2-21) Where are barry’s own words of apology on his Special Olympics “joke”?
(2-22) Yo, barry, you talked the trash, now back it up, and bowl
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