President Barack Obama made television history this week by becoming the first sitting president to appear on a late night talk show.
Unfortunately, he also got himself into a bind by cracking a controversial, and rather un-presidential, joke.
The president, who scored a hard-to-imagine 37 while bowling on the campaign trail last year, compared his competence at the game to those who participate in the Special Olympics.
We don’t excuse the president’s gaffe on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, but we would like to see it treated with some perspective.
While Obama, like presidents before him, are held to a higher standard than the average Joe (and we stress that this is no way a disparagement of people named Joe), this is another example of the needless hypersensitivity that has gripped America.
Does anyone truly believe the president harbors ill will toward people with mental or physical disabilities?
The White House apologized for the gaffe, before the show even aired, by saying that his remark “was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics.”
Special-needs Americans have made magnificent strides in recent years. At this point, we should have the confidence not to be insulted by every innocent, if unfortunate, stab at humor.
In fact, we could all learn something from the spirit shown by Tim Maloney, a 38-year-old with Down Syndrome who has been bowling for 30 years.
He advised the president on Friday to continue practicing if he ever wants to beat Maloney’s average of 165 a game.
“Focus, take his time, and relax” were the simple-but-effective tips Maloney gave to the president while being interviewed by .
“Keep your eyes on the alley.”
That’s good advice for all of us.
If anyone should be offended by Obama, it’s the American bowler. Obama says he’s been practicing, and recently bowled a 129 at the White House.
We suggest the president continue to work on his game in between bailouts.
