On Thursday night, after news of the Leno taping broke but before it actually aired, I made two predictions. First, I predicted that NBC would edit the tape so that the President’s Special Olympics insult wouldn’t be seen in public. I was wrong. They aired it as is. Good for them. Now if only the mainstream media would release the tape of Obama reading the wrong speech off his teleprompter and thanking himself for inviting himself to the White House, my faith my might be fully restored.

My second prediction was spot on. I noted that when the comedy film Tropic Thunder came out last summer, Timothy Shriver, a prominent member of the Kennedy clan and President of the Special Olympics, denounced the film because of a brief dialogue about actors playing “retards.” Here’s what Kennedy said then:

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.

Note the language he used. He promised to be “as vocal as possible” in denouncing “mockery in any form.” Strong words. Big promises.

As I suspected on Thrusday night, however, he didn’t live up to those words when it came to President Obama. Here’s his official press release on the matter:

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.

He then went on to call this “a teachable moment for our country,” and to promote the unquestionably outstanding work that the Special Olympics does.

So, just to review, a comedy film referencing “retards” is “malicious,” but a sitting President of the United State ridiculing Mr. Shriver’s very organization is “sincere and heartfelt.” Wow. What have we come to?

This is the problem with political correctness. It’s a sham. If you have the “correct” political beliefs, then you are exempt from from the code. If you have “incorrect” poitical beliefs, then you better watch what you say and lawyer-up when you make a mistake—and you will make a mistake at some point.

The real irony is that Tropic Thunder was never really making fun of the handicapped. It was making fun of political correctness and those who trade in it selectively, like Mr. Shriver.

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.