Tim Shriver: “This kind of language needs to be a teachable moment”

March 20, 2009

Jake Tapper at ABC calls it a “wisecrack” and that “the White House says these other issues being raised are just noise and what the president will continue to push is his agenda to fix the economy.”

His “wisecrack” is just “noise”.

That’s not what those of us who have family members with special minds feel. Follow the links below to see and hear what Gov Palin, Maria Shriver and Gov Schwarzenegger had to say as well as Tim Shriver’s official statement.

Here’s the transcript of Shriver’s brief comments: provided by JAKE TAPPER & HUMA KHAN.

Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver talked with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America:

SHRIVER: He [Obama] expressed his disappointment and he apologized, I think, in a way that was very moving. He expressed that he did not intend to humiliate this population, certainly didn’t want to embarrass or give anybody any more reason for pain or just suffering, I would say.

He was very sincere, expressed an openness and an interest in being more engaged in the movement, and said he was a fan of the movement and I think, importantly, he said he was ready to have some of our athletes over to the White House to bowl or play basketball or help him improve his score.

ROBIN ROBERTS: Is that enough for you or do you think there is something else he should do?

I think it’s important to see that words hurt, and words do matter. And these words that in some respect can be seen can be seen as humiliating or a put-down to people with special needs –do cause pain, and they do result in stereotypes, they do result in behavior that is neglectful and almost oppressive moment of people with special needs.

This kind of language needs to be a teachable moment, I think, for our country.

I would hope every parent that’s at home this morning watching this show could turn to their children and say, ‘This is a chance for us to recognize that when we talk about Special Olympics, when we talk about people with special needs. Let’s make sure we talk about it in an affirming way.

***

(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

Special Olympics Chairman, Tim Shriver re: barry’s "joke”

March 20, 2009

Maria Shriver’s brother, Tim Shriver, is Chairman of the Special Olympics. He made appearances on Good Morning America and Andrea Mitchell. I can’t find an embeddable ones but here’s GMA. Worth watching. I struck by his genuine anger and disappointment toward barry, which was well-earned. The media doesn’t seem to find it disgusting. Double standard in play yet again. Keith Olbermann’s first words were: What do WE do?

MARCH 20, 2009

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SPECIAL OLYMPICS CHAIRMAN
TIMOTHY SHRIVER

REGARDING U.S. PRESIDENT OBAMA’S COMMENT ON
THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO

“President Obama called last night and expressed his regret and he apologized. He said that he did not intend to humiliate Special Olympics athletes or people with intellectual disabilities. He was sincere and heartfelt, and said that he is a fan of our movement and is ready to work with our athletes to make the United States a more accepting and welcoming country for all people with special needs.

“Words hurt and words matter. Words can cause pain and result in stereotypes that are unfair and damaging to people with intellectual disabilities. And using ‘Special Olympics’ in a negative or derogatory context can be a humiliating put-down to people with special needs.

“This is a teachable moment for our country. We are asking young people, parents and leaders from all walks of life to engage in conversation and help dispel negative caricatures about people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that it’s only through open conversation and dialogue about how stereotypes can cause pain that we can begin to work together to create communities of acceptance and inclusion for all.

“Special Olympics is not a program, but a worldwide movement operating 30,000 events a year in more than 180 countries. Every one of them is a chance for people of all ages to get involved, to think differently about attitudes and perceptions they may have about people with intellectual disabilities, and to make a difference.

“And so we challenge people to join our ‘Spread the Word to End the Word’ campaign, a youth-led national awareness effort that will launch on March 31, where we are asking people to pledge their respect for people with special needs. We’re asking people to sign our ‘R-word’ pledge, to join in our Unified Sports programs, to volunteer, and to be fans of our athletes and our movement.

“Additionally, we challenge policy leaders at all levels to commit to improving the support and resources for people with intellectual disabilities in areas such as healthcare, education, housing and recreation.

“Finally, we invite the President to take the lead and consider hiring a Special Olympics athlete to work in the White House. In so doing, he could help end misperceptions about the talents and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and demonstrate their dignity and value to the world.”

Contact:
Kirsten Suto Seckler
Special Olympics
kseckler@specialolympics.org

***

(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

Gov & First Lady of CA re: barry’s Special Olympics “joke”

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.

***

(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

barry: “it’s like the Special Olympics or something”

Kennedy legacy carrier barry trashes the Special Olympics‘ athletes (thus the First Lady of California’s mother, Eunice Shriver, who founded them) on the final leg of his adoration tour. He compared his crappy ass bowling skills to a Special Olympic athlete’s lack of skill. Clearly, he doesn’t know what Special Olympic athletes are capable of - including voting.

What segment of the electorate hasn’t he trashed?

He should pay for his remark by making the next “party night at the White House” a fundraiser bowling party featuring Special Olympians so he is made to apologize right to them in person - not through a spokesperson’s “he thinks the Special Olympics do great work” or “it wasn’t meant like that” or some other template response.

It was meant exactly as said - they’re r*t*r*s with no physical skills.

What would President Franklin Delano Roosevelt have felt about hearing that remark?

Here’s the video clip from Herr Olbermann via asdf11x.

JAY: I imagine the bowling alley has just been burned and closed down.

BARRY: No. No. I’ve been practice-I’ve been practicing.

JAY: Really? Really?

BARRY: I, uh, I bowed a 129.

Applause.

LENO sarcastically: Oh no. That’s very good. Yeah. Oh, that’s very good, Mr President.

BARRY laughing: [unintelligible my score?] - it was like the Special Olympics or something.

Audience laughs - barry keeps laughing - Jay doesn’t. I don’t think barry even realized what he said.

And then Olbermann says: “What do WE do about it?”

As in how do we spin it. Just one more example of proobama media bias straight from the horse’s ass mouth.

Eunice Shriver, 87, with Chinese Special Olympians

***

(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

And the Kennedy women?

November 22, 2008

Politicians are very small transparent people. I have witnessed it over the last nine months - how frightened and threatened men are of Senator Clinton and to what degree they will go to deny it. The proobamedia is one thing, her colleagues another and the Kennedys another altogether. The loyalists to her husband running the other way when it was time to back a woman. Cowards in broad daylight giggling in the back rooms and heartily clapping barry - someone they don't know - on the back simply because he's an alternative to a pantsuit.

Ted Kennedy - your legacy may be set in American Politics but you have left me with a bitter taste. A bitter taste from a family I had always looked on as tolerant. A family my large Irish Catholic family had revered. I see now it was all a mirage. And it's very, very sad.

Sadder still were the few Kennedy's backing Senator Clinton who never stood forward and said so. Why? What impact does it have on the Kennedy legacy that some stood silent and did not let their dissent be seen because it was a conflict of interest within their own family? And what of the ones who did not encourage them to do so even though they were on barry's side?

Women in the Kennedy family have stood silent and let the most powerful politician, who just happens to be a woman, be trashed. One cannot hold them responsible for the decades of abuse - justified or not - heaped on Senator Clinton, but they have stood silent while the Kennedy name was used to promote barry. Plenty of them sticking up and saying how proud their father, uncle or whatever relation would be. Plenty doing their part to get barry elected. Plenty so happy about the resurrected pride and popularity that they have come forward to get their 15 minutes of name-related fame.

Do they all believe in their hearts and souls that barry is more qualified? That if he weren't a black man he would be president? That if it didn't make a nice tidy package for the Kennedy legacy, he'd still be The One?

And in regards to themselves - are they delusional enough to believe they have gotten to where they are because of their own intrinsic worth? That their family name had nothing to do with it? That they weren't given the benefit of the doubt because of it and have not been attacked in the media because of it?

And Senator Clinton's name? How has that impacted her political career? How scandalous would a female Kennedy have to be before the media went after her? Would a Clinton have survived Chappaquiddick? Any politician save a Kennedy?

How enlightening would it have been for one Kennedy woman to step forward, especially one obviously pro-barry - Caroline Kennedy even - to say that the misogyny and sexism is way out of control and should be no more tolerated than barry's own race baiting.

It is what I now associate with the Kennedy Legacy: silence.

Even if the Kennedy women hate Senator Clinton, even if they think barry is the second coming of Jesus or JFK or RFK - they have stood silent while a female politician of considerable political worth was attacked on everything from cleavage to thick ankles. They of the nasal Boston accent stood silent while Sen Clinton was attacked because of her Chicago cackle. They of the Democratic party stood silent while their fellow Democrat was attacked--through no fault of her own--because of men's irrelevance, impotence and castration anxiety.

Most disappointing (and most heinous) they have stood silent while Chelsea's mother was attacked on a fundamentally feminine level.

They have made their stops on Morning Joe talking about Catholicism in America and never once said, you know, Love They Neighbor includes Senator Clinton. Maria Shriver, First Lady of California and most visible female supporter of barry has said nothing about the misogyny and obvious sexism. Caroline Kennedy became head of the VP search and said nothing when her uncle said Senator Clinton was not noble or leader enough to become vice president. And yet, Senator Clinton took the initiative to shake Senator Kennedy's hand after he had endorsed barry.

What is Ms Shriver conveying to all the young girls of California? Of America? Of the world? How is she inspiring the young girls of any anything who aspire to be president one day? How is her silence reassuring young black girls that they have as much of a chance of becoming president as their little brothers? And that if they were to try their hair, makeup, body size, voice and clothing wouldn't matter?

Will any of the Kennedy women develop a conscience once Senator Clinton is working for barry? Will that be enough for them to become women first and Kennedys--who have never been discriminated against nor will they ever--second?

They have all seen what has been happening and none have said a word or raised an objection.

Nothing anymore exists to make me feel proud of the Kennedy legacy.

Same with Oprah - the supposed champion of women everywhere. It was the premise behind her academy: that women leaders will effect change in the world, that they are the ones who will bring peace and that they just need education and an opportunity to do so. Empty words it seems. Who could effect more change in the world RIGHT NOW while those young girls are still aspiring? Who could bring that dream to reality? To prove to them that it really and truly is attainable? Can they really believe what Oprah says? Can anyone?

It seems the tolerance JFK spoke of referred only to black male Americans. That it had nothing to do with their wives, mothers, sisters, nieces, grandmothers, neighbors, coworkers and rare bosses. Would Senator Clinton had been treated differently had she been a Kennedy? A black women?

Although the odds are against it, I hope I live long enough to hear someone admit that Sen Clinton she should have won. (Did win.) That barry cheated with the full knowledge and cooperation of the DNC, the Kennedys and proobamedia. That the daily attack on Senator Clinton and her supporters was a sanctioned, malicious, planned assault carried out with the knowledge and assistance of barry's camp, which included the Kennedys, DNC and proobamedia.

Something that has still not been made right even as barry mimes "Team of Rivals". If you knew barry at all, you would know he is assembling a team of political expedience. He is selecting people he can easily cut away and throw under the bus. Go through each one yourselves and check them off. Find one who doesn't fit affirmative action, Chicago payback and/or political expedience.

When you find one let me know.

What would our forefathers and forebears think? Would they believe barry's engineered election was one step closer to a More Perfect Union? Would they be proud of how barry race baited?

I think Abraham Lincoln would be sickened by the repeated references to him, his words and his accomplishments by someone who has accomplished absolutely nothing. Someone who stood silent even as he professed unity while his opponent - a woman no less - was destroyed in the media so that he could win. Thomas Jefferson would be chuckling at the hypocrisy of it all. And Martha Washington would sit quietly and cry having known in her heart that it was going to take more than 232 years to make things right.