Over at The Queen of Spain today, Erin is pretty upset.
And for good reason.
In Erin’s post, I Got This One she is asking where the conservative feminists are after the following remarks made by
Townhall.com writer Burt Prelutsky
Prelutsky’s comments such as
“The burning question in my circle is: if the First Family gets a female dog, will she be the First Bitch or will she have to settle for second place?â€Â
and
“… the left-wing media is now trying to convince us that this James Brown-look-alike has all the allure, glamour and fashion sense of Jackie Kennedy.â€Â
is making Erin demand where exactly, those “Sarah Palin suffered so much sexism†women who were appalled during the election. Those “women can raise a family and run for office†conservative mothers and sisters and aunts and daughter and granddaughters.
Not only do I agree with Erin, I’ll take it one step farther:
Where is the outrage from everyone concerning these type of remarks? Or the remarks of Tammy Bruce calling Michelle Obama trash?
Then again, maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised after all.
Wasn’t it just last week, while on national television, that the President of the United States compared his bowling skills to ‘something from the Special Olympics?”
I’m sure the POTUS handlers laid a presidential egg when those words came out. Back peddling began even before the Tonight Show even aired.
The President was being self depreciating. You know, by comparing his bowling skills to those with intellectual disabilities.
It’s kind of like the Mom who once told me that when she used the word ‘retard’ she wasn’t talking about Parker.
Just about all the other retards out there.
I was incredulous when reading an article in the NYT insinuating that we should give those with disabilities the opportunity to rise to the occasion by just letting the President’s comment slide by.
But I can’t seem to get over the ease with which Obama made that statement. All the apologies and invitations to come and bowl at the White House can’t erase the uncomfortable feeling that this type of self depreciating humor is not new to to our President.
That these type of sentiments have been used before, with his family, his children.
It isn’t about being politically correct. It isn’t just about policing what you say in public.
It’s about what you truly feel inside regarding those, like Parker, who deal with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Because until society has a change of perspective,
and presumes competence when interacting with a person with a disability, while refusing to defend offensive language
the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities will as been seen as not only worth less, but as expendable.
With all of this talk of change, that is something I would have hoped President Obama, would have understood.
About Tammy and Parker
Yep. We get this one too. From people who make racist comments, but “aren’t talking about..you know…YOUR son”.
First of all, I hadn’t heard the sexist remarks before. I, however, wrote about the President’s words just the other day. I also provided a link so that you can write the President and tell him what you think.
http://godsgraceinpractice.blogspot.com/2009/03/dignity-and-acceptance.html
Well said.
Great post Tammy – I personally am not a fan of our president or some of the policies that being put in place. But, that is just me. Of course I don’t think for a moment that the comment about Michelle Obama is appropriate. I also have to say that I am upset about Obama’s comment and the lack of outrage over it and the acceptance everyone is seeming to give to it – if good ol’ W-ya had made the same remark, they would have crucified him…..
Twitter: therextras
says:
I say – beat-up on the media. For promoting, or not, certain messages that get spewed like so much bodily fluids on the pubic – who have grown-up not questioning what they hear.
Our blogs are the anti-media. Real free ‘press’. Thanks to God for blessing us with the avenue of expression.
*Switching to sweet voice* And bless Parker and his family.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7dyueB1C88 I think you should check this out, its all about a campaign to end the “r” word
Twitter: therextras
says:
That was supposed to be ‘public’. *reddened face*
I have been reading your blog for quite awhile and love it! I don’t normally leave comments on blogs I read but well, I got a little excited over at queen of spain!And had to mention … I think if folks would stop spending so much time and energy on making a big deal out of these snide comments there would be far fewer. Instead of getting excited about sexist comments or having the President make an offhanded comment about something he knows nothing about we should have said our kids bowling scores are not the problem. They are quite good, thank you. The problem is our county MR/DD budget has been cut in half while AIG has been given Trillions of dollars can we come to the White House and let me tell you about what our kids (and adults) with no voice are going thru. Obviously, you are not aware of these things. Would the Today show put that comment on instead of what is out there now? Maybe? Sheri
It does not surprise me that he said these comments. I am not and never have been impressed with our president. He has proven that not everyone in this country deserves the same rights, so this does not surprise me in the least. Very sad…
Kitty: We will be posting on this very issue over at 5MFSN next week.
I absolutely adore the Queen of Spain. She is one smart lady. She stands up for what she believes in and I admire that.
Truth be known, I’m not sure what my politics are these days.
I do however believe that action needs to be taken against the rampant negative use of the word retard.
It’s use is too common, too widespread, and used with too much insult and hurt.
Take for example movies like Tropic Thunder, and the many disgusting You Tube videos that get posted.
For way too many the use of the word retard is considered to be ‘cool’. You’re one of the ‘in’ crowd if your self-depreciating humor includes that word.
And I believe that by not saying anything, we are by our silence giving our support.
As long as others point to those with special needs as a definition of all that is dumb, clumsy and insulting, how exactly will persons with special needs be fully accepted into this society?
I’ve even had nurses stand outside of Parker’s hospital room and describe something that they just did as being ‘retarded.’
My point in all of this has always been respect. And I stand by that.
Never heard any of these, to be honest. Until it hits the local news or the occasional time I flip to cnn, then I just don’t know about it. I’m sick to death of anything in the political world, after the long and ugly 2008, that I just stay away from it all. I’m sickened to read these comments though.