Will the Kennedys Attack Obama for Mocking the Special Olympics?

The movie Tropic Thunder is absolutely hilarious, but the humor is very off-color. When it premiered, it was quickly denounced by Timothy Shriver, nephew of Senator Ted Kennedy and Chairman of the Special Olympics, because of some . . . shall we say . . . less than charitable comments about people with “intellectual disabilities.” Here’s what he said:

Mockery in any form, or for any purpose or directed at anyone, especially those least able to defend themselves, is neither funny nor acceptable. We must work together to bring it to an end. As chairman of the Special Olympics, I am inspired to be as vocal as possible about this important matter to effect positive change and to generate support for those who deserve our respect . . . Ridicule is a subtle but malicious practice that only serves to exclude and marginalize people with intellectual disabilities.

That’s just a taste of it. His full essay is filled to the brim with such self-righteous dribble.

Now, to be clear, Tropic of Thunder is a movie. A comedy movie. With Ben Stiller. I wonder if Mr. Shriver would be willing to take the same critical tone with loftier targets.

Well, we’ll soon find out. Tonight President Obama is taking time out from bashing AIG to make an appearance (sans teleprompter) on Jay Leno’s show. According to the great Jake Tapper, Obama’s funniest line came at the expense of Special Olympics participants:

President Obama, in his taping with Jay Leno Thursday afternoon, attempted to yuk it up with the funnyman, and ended up insulting the disabled.

Towards the end of his approximately 40-minute appearance, the president talked about how he’s gotten better at bowling and has been practicing in the White House bowling alley.

He bowled a 129, the president said.

“That’s very good, Mr. President,” Leno said sarcastically.

It’s “like the Special Olympics or something,” the president said.

Do you think Mr. Shriver is going to “be as vocal as possible about this important matter”? We’ll soon see. I know where I’m placing my bet.

How about the mainstream media? Hotair wonders how the media would have dealt with the story if it was Bush who made the mistake. I think we all know the answer to that one.

And, for the record, I’m writing this at about 10:30 pm on the East Coast—about an hour before Leno comes on. I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a prediction. I’ll bet that NBC edits the tape so that the Special Olympics jab is never seen. Anybody want to bet on that one?

UPDATE: Read the update to this post here.