Special Olympics to Rahm Emanuel: Apology not accepted
posted at 5:46 pm on February 3, 2010 by Allahpundit
Or rather: Apology unacceptable — literally.
Not a fight I would have picked, but it’s fun to watch Rahm squirm, I guess.
Seeking to damp down the controversy over Rahm Emanuel’s reported, months-old use of the word, a White House official yesterday told me and other reporters that Emanuel had called Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver to apologize.
“The apology was accepted,” the official said yesterday.
The vice president for communications at the Special Olympics, Kirsten Seckler, told me that this account of the conversation is “inaccurate.”
“Tim didn’t accept his apology,” she said. “Tim can’t do that. He can’t accept an apology on behalf of all people with disabilities.”
Having been informed that his apology can’t be accepted, Rahm duly apologized again and promised to sign an online pledge to end the use of “retarded.” Which is super, but (a) given what a sharp comic sensibility can do with the word, I don’t think it’s going anywhere anytime soon, and (b) the fact that Rahm’s malice was directed at lefty activists and not at the mentally disabled is going to lead a lot of people to shrug this off. It’s a White House version of that South Park episode when the boys started calling obnoxious Harley riders “fags.” Is a slur that’s traditionally used to denigrate group A still offensive when it’s reappropriated for group B?
Blowback
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The Ballerina is a real douchbag.
OmahaConservative on February 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM
Oops!
TXMomof3 on February 3, 2010 at 5:48 PM
I don’t usually side with the word police, but I do think there should be a higher standard for the White House Chief of Staff.
d1carter on February 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Needed: a few more pirouettes and maybe a curtsey to get out of this one.
Yes, a deep curtsey, just like his boss.
Drained Brain on February 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Oh snaps!
crr6 on February 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Words have meanings.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Republicans have been thrown under the bus and ridden out on a rail for less. Mountain out of a molehill? Maybe. But sauce goose gander I say.
Sekhmet on February 3, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Yeap!
Seven Percent Solution on February 3, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Tiptoe tiptoe widdle ballerina.
Geochelone on February 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM
You read my mind, Allah, with the South Park ep.
JamesLee on February 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Exit answer: Ask the Kleagle.
Jorge Bonilla on February 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM
Yes, I think it is, because it brings with it the implied/explicit negative view of group A in the speaker’s mind/heart and paints group B with it.
It still demonstrates that the speaker views group A negatively enough to try to insult group B with the nickname.
Midas on February 3, 2010 at 5:51 PM
When will our side get organized and start collecting a few scalps?
promachus on February 3, 2010 at 5:52 PM
They probably didn’t understand the apology because they’re retarded.
Jimbo3 on February 3, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Rahm to send dead fish in 3… 2…
Enoxo on February 3, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Cynical apology from a cynical member of a cynical administration. No surprises.
nico on February 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Well, if Rahm were comparing liberal Democrats to me, I wouldn’t accept his apology, either.
notropis on February 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Sweeeeeeeeeet.
russcote on February 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Couldn’t happen to a more desrving Douche Bag!
Dire Straits on February 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
Hey, Rahm. Come into my classroom. Look my special needs students in the eyes–the ones who never take a single act of kindness, grace or friendship for granted–and think about that word you used.
If you have a fraction of a heart left, it will break.
Grace_is_sufficient on February 3, 2010 at 5:53 PM
They certainly do.
The Race Card on February 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Good!
This isn’t Chicago anymore Rahm – things you say do come to light.
gophergirl on February 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Barack Obama, speaking about Rahm Emanuel and Mother’s Day: ‘It’s a tough holiday for [Rahm]…. He’s not used to saying the word “day” after “mother.” ‘
RBMN on February 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Adults really should be beyond such things – especially those in government. It says quite a lot about Obama and his CoS that they’ve both made this mistake.
capitalist piglet on February 3, 2010 at 5:54 PM
But what would Peter Singer advise?
daesleeper on February 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM
I’m finding this quite comical, even though I don’t agree with Palin asking him to resign.
deidre on February 3, 2010 at 5:56 PM
Yeah, I like seeing the ballerina pierouette.
CTSherman on February 3, 2010 at 5:56 PM
I’d laugh if the response was, “We may be retarded, but we aren’t so stupid as to believe you can add 30 million people to the health care system and not raise costs or that you can borrow your way out of a debt crisis. To be that stupid, you need to be a liberal”.
venividivici on February 3, 2010 at 5:57 PM
Is this a kindler, gentler AllahPundit?
I understand why Rahm’s use of the R word offends her, but it seems a bit over the top. I think there’s a rope-a-dope going on here. Clearly, Palin has won with little effort.
I can only imagine the uncensored tirade Rahm is having right now.
conservative pilgrim on February 3, 2010 at 5:57 PM
They’re not the only ones.
People make similar remarks here at HA all the time. I hope I see you standing up to this when it happens in your midst.
The Race Card on February 3, 2010 at 5:58 PM
This whole kerfuffle is retarded.
misterpeasea on February 3, 2010 at 5:58 PM
I wonder if this crisis is too good to waste?
Dire Straits on February 3, 2010 at 5:58 PM
What I want to know is, where are the photos of Rahm in ballet tights? Can’t you find one for future Rahm threads? I mean, really. The irony is delicious!
LEBA on February 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Rahm should be forced to wear a bib that says “I’m Sory” for a month.
Potfry on February 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
Words? Just words?
I’m not sure how to feel about this. It usually comes back to me saying, “If group R called members of group D x derogatory name, would group R be lambasted?” The answer is usually, “Yes.”
I like Sarah — I voted for her. However, sometimes I’m unsure if she’s really fired up about an issue or if she’s fired up so that she can insinuate herself into the situation. This feels a bit like the latter.
haikusrock on February 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
B+.
rogerb on February 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
–Grace, do you know why they have “special” needs? It’s because they’re retarded. Now cut out the PC stuff.
Jimbo3 on February 3, 2010 at 6:00 PM
At this point, while I understand the use of the word offends Governor Palin, I’m wondering if she brought it to attention simply to show that the White House jumps anytime she mentions them.
Governor Palin says jump, and the White House asks how high.
Enoxo on February 3, 2010 at 6:00 PM
Your concern is noted. Gov. Palin has a Down’s Syndrome son.
OmahaConservative on February 3, 2010 at 6:01 PM
The Special Olympics is getting an awful lot of attention from the Obama Administration.
BobMbx on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
I don’t think it’s quite the same. One of the points Stan made when saying that you’d call an inconsiderate person a f@g is that you’re not thinking that the person is gay but rather that the person is inconsiderate.
When calling someone retarded, you’re not thinking that person is mentally disabled, but you are questioning that person’s intelligence. You are, in essence, comparing that person to an actual retarded person for the purpose of making an insult.
Esthier on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Rahm Emanuel has long been known as both a loudmouth and a foul-mouthed loudmouth, which is why it is truly refreshing to see something that he uttered from between his teeth finally come back and bite him right in the rear!
Nicest thing this clown could do right now is just dive under the bus himself and submit his resignation.
pilamaye on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Squirm? Is that a new ballet move?
TXUS on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
It’s time for Obama to throw Rahm Emanuel under the short bus.
Emperor Norton on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Shouldn’t this be a standard in general?
Being elitist is one thing… but when you never think before you speak is showing all around in the Obama Administration.
upinak on February 3, 2010 at 6:02 PM
Who will, hopefully, grow up to be a better bowler than Obama.
BobMbx on February 3, 2010 at 6:03 PM
Wait until Rhambo unleashes his brother ( The DeathDoc)
on the people Rhambo called the R-word
This WH is sick
sick
macncheez on February 3, 2010 at 6:03 PM
Dire Straits on February 3, 2010 at 6:03 PM
It wouldn’t open.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2010 at 6:03 PM
This is the reason I think she brought it up….I could be wrong though. She promised to be an advocate for special-need families in her RNC speech.
Yes, she said in the White House; but she always says she doesn’t need a “title” to make a difference.
deidre on February 3, 2010 at 6:03 PM
When the “Concerned Conservative” types quit fighting their own side.
So NEVER.
portlandon on February 3, 2010 at 6:04 PM
Do they learn how to squirm in ballet school?
BrianA on February 3, 2010 at 6:04 PM
How can this post be complete without embedding the video of MEGYN KELLY doing a story on how this is connected to Palins FB page. Wow…Megyn and Sarah in one clip. Woo hoo!
miConsevative on February 3, 2010 at 6:04 PM
What a ‘tard.
Apologetic California on February 3, 2010 at 6:05 PM
Allah? Can we get rid of this tool now, please.
Joe Caps on February 3, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Photo-shopped, I presume…..but fanTAStic! Thanks!
LEBA on February 3, 2010 at 6:06 PM
Here is one. Sorry I messed up my first try at it.
Dire Straits on February 3, 2010 at 6:07 PM
hmmm…so a governor on an engine retards air/fuel supply, and Rahm serves in the govenment, which governs, making him a governor also…therefore Rahm is a retard. Maybe he needs to f&ck himself to solve this.
well done
DanMan on February 3, 2010 at 6:07 PM
Cuda is taking a page right out of The Thumpin.
Geochelone on February 3, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Def not. I can see where this is going. “Let’s write legislation to ban the use of the word ‘retarded,’ while we are at it lets also ban….
Joe Caps on February 3, 2010 at 6:08 PM
That’s not funny.
Esthier on February 3, 2010 at 6:08 PM
This is big news now? How retar…er…umm…
This should make books more interesting: “The German army tried desperately to retard the Soviet offensive.”
BURN HIM!
Bishop on February 3, 2010 at 6:08 PM
Didn’t Obama already piss these guys off by referring to his bowling as retarded?
Iblis on February 3, 2010 at 6:09 PM
That’s beyond the pale. How dare you come into this house with such a sickening comment.
I would ban in a New York second, if I had the hammer.
TXUS on February 3, 2010 at 6:09 PM
Heh , no she wouldn’t..
the_nile on February 3, 2010 at 6:09 PM
How could we forget?
Grow Fins on February 3, 2010 at 6:10 PM
What I want to know is, where are the photos of Rahm in ballet tights? Can’t you find one for future Rahm threads? I mean, really. The irony is delicious!
LEBA on February 3, 2010 at 5:59 PM
This one is fun but it’s not real (i think).
Joe Caps on February 3, 2010 at 6:10 PM
Yep.
Joe Caps on February 3, 2010 at 6:11 PM
F-ing retards in the White House
Philly on February 3, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Could the apologists please stop pretending Rahm called people retarded? He called people fu**ing retarded, and you think that was a medical diagnosis and not a slur, you have special needs.
Ronnie on February 3, 2010 at 6:12 PM
What about old school “moron” or “dolt” which were terms used to describe levels of retardation?
No one would have batted a lash had Rahm said “You liberals are dolts” even though dolt and retard essentially describe the same thing.
Bishop on February 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
I’m not too inclined to go find a Hell’s Angel and call him a fag to find out.
Patrick S on February 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Newsflash to the Dems: Words mean something.
Reid, Emmanuel… Stay classy there, guys!
UnderstandingisPower on February 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Is it my imagination or did all the trolls come back from vacation too?
TheBigOldDog on February 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
She should have aborted it, or hid the child in an institution right Fins?
portlandon on February 3, 2010 at 6:13 PM
Man, I can’t wait for some new South Park.
*Hugs his DVD copy of “Cannibal! The Musical“*
Ugly on February 3, 2010 at 6:15 PM
Methinks that RE is a retard!
epluribusunum on February 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
I can hear Whoopi Golberg defending Rahm by saying he just said “retarded”, not “retarded, retarded”.
Dire Straits on February 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
I’ve been going back and forth on whether Palin should have interjected into this all day. I’m sure Palin did her FB post on this simply b/c it was offensive to her and her family, but it is just hilarious how it has blown up in the WH’s face. This story has been out there for a week or so, but it flew under the radar until Palin said something. Intentional or not she can single handily blow up this administration w/ a FB post.
davek70 on February 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
As do several options that describe the state of one’s skin being darker than the state of another’s skin. Some are acceptable. Some are not. This one is most decidedly not.
To those who think this is petty or whatever, trust me, when something like this hits YOU and your experience, it feels WAAAAAAY different.
UnderstandingisPower on February 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Could you guys who keep using this word in an attempt to be funny please grow up? It’s not as amusing as you apparently think it is.
capitalist piglet on February 3, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Considering all the insults, it would be quite hard.
Esthier on February 3, 2010 at 6:17 PM
Heh. “bike curious.” Heh. Heh.
nukemhill on February 3, 2010 at 6:17 PM
I have recently learned from the NAACP that it is ok to use defamatory speech only if you mean it as a compliment. Just ask Harry Reid.
kringeesmom on February 3, 2010 at 6:17 PM
It should be the standard for everyone. It does indicate the arrogance and the tone deafness of this administration.
d1carter on February 3, 2010 at 6:18 PM
Looking at this in a purely cynical view….Special Olympics, who’s going to be your biggest advocate? Do you give a grown man a pass when the parents of the people you serve are offended for their children? Mr. Emanuel should not have put them on the spot for his absolution.
Cindy Munford on February 3, 2010 at 6:18 PM
apology not accepted add cable news superstar Sarah Palin to the broken hearts you’ve collected
happyfeet on February 3, 2010 at 6:18 PM
This one is
http://neveryetmelted.com/wp-images/RahmBallet.jpg
macncheez on February 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
Who decided which is acceptable? Tell you what, attend the next Special Olympics and casually throw the word “moron” around in front of the participants and their families, see how far you get.
Bishop on February 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
I hate to agree with Rahm on ANYTHING, but calling the Democrat Politians a derogatory terms including insinuating that their mental capacities are significantly below the average is a statement I can agree with.
barnone on February 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
So, is “left wing lunatic” a no no? Does it cause pain to diagnosed nuts? I need some direction here.
khacha on February 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM
I think this sounds like a hate crime.
bloggless on February 3, 2010 at 6:20 PM
And this is the first I’ve ever heard that those were once used to described retardation, making this the more appropriate counter to South Park’s episode on f@gs. That was their point after all. If in using the word you’re not actually thinking of the entity it was initially declared a slur for, then what’s the harm?
With moron, I’m not thinking of someone born with a mental disability, but with retard, everyone does. In fact, people often would put their hand up as though they were retarded when using the word as a pejorative.
Esthier on February 3, 2010 at 6:21 PM
Why should I be offended by Rahm Emmanuel calling the nutroots “f#@king retarded”? Would it have been inoffensive if he had called them “f#@king developmentally disabled”?
However, I do think that Rahm should apologize for the real outrage here. To insinuate that the nutroots are mentally handicapped is an insult to the mentally handicapped everywhere.
darii on February 3, 2010 at 6:21 PM
It’s bad enough when somebody like Rev. Jesse Jackson sells Black Approval for the right bid. It’s even worse when a White House Chief of Staff shows he presumed the president of the Special Olympics was a PC whore.
Kudos to Tim Shriver for refusing to play The Chicago Way. Rahm insulted Democrats and offended parents; he can’t square that with a symbolic group hug to a (supposed) crony in the target community.
Chris_Balsz on February 3, 2010 at 6:21 PM
To me, the real issue here now (aside from Emanuel’s use of it) is that the WH came out and said something that wasn’t true. Again, they made the call and rushed out to say this is over, and it wasn’t.
Just another “You Lie!” event.
Gawd, I hate to have to say “just another” … it’s so redundant with these folks.
Dusty on February 3, 2010 at 6:22 PM
*Office of White House Chief of Staff*
Rahm Emanuel: Get me whoever the spoke person is for the retards. I need a photo op, handshaking, bowing, whatever.
Secretary: I don’t know who to call sir. There is no one in the Rolodex listed under Retard Spokesperson
Rahm Emanuel: What the $&*%&)# stupid retards. Don’t they know they need a spokes person? *&^%&* Who do they suppose will collect their apologies and appropriate payoffs?
Secretary: I dunno. Maybe we could call Rev. Sharpton. He’s always willing to make “arrangements” for us.
Rahm Emanuel: What the $#%#&^* kind of idea it THAT. Like I’m supposed to say, “Yo Rev. I’d like to have you accept this apology (and cash gift) on behalf of retards everywhere.” He’d take the money and accuse me of calling reverends and people of color retards.
Secretary: You could call Sarah Palin, her son is retarded.
Rahm Emanuel: You’re fired! Get the $&%^$%* OUT.
New Secretary: How about Special Olympics? You could call them. AND donations to them are tax deductible.
Rahm Emanuel: Not that I pay taxes, you forget who I am. But I like the way you think. Get ‘em on the phone.
Lily on February 3, 2010 at 6:22 PM
NO-friggin-WAY!! Bwaaaahhhh–ha—haaaa-ha-haaahahaa—gaaaaasppp—–Bwaaaaaaaaahha-hahaaaaaa—–haaa—i’m cryin here i’m laughin so hard. Thanks SO much for the laugh. I needed that!
miConsevative on February 3, 2010 at 6:22 PM
Try throwing out the word “ugly” when you’re there too and see how far you get. Just because someone would be offended at a word you use doesn’t mean it’s a slur for the group that person is in.
Esthier on February 3, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Bravo!
Glad I’m not the only one feeling the way the dems act is ridiculous. Says something bad about blacks? Apologize to Al Sharpton. Say something bad about people with disabilities? Apologize to the Special Olympics. This is a joke! Everytime they say something offensive they try and find someone they can claim as a ‘leader’ of that community and apologize to that person like it makes it all better.
clement on February 3, 2010 at 6:24 PM
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