Perfect Opportunity- Special Olympics Champ to Barack: Bring it On!

[masuki bance]

Kolan McConiughey, a Special Olympics competitor who has bowled three perfect 300 games, tells TMZ that the Prez has to score a lot higher than 129 to beat him. Kolan says he bowls an average of 266.

Kolan -- who works at a grocery store in Ann Arbor, Mich. -- said he'd love to go to the White House to beat Barack on his own lane. Kolan said, "He's cool, but he can't beat me."


http://www.tmz.com/2009/03/20/special-olympics-champ-to-barack-bring-it-on/

Great opportunity to invite Shriver and a group of Olympians to the White House to showcase real talent in the disabled community.

[dsc]

1. that would be a great idea

incidently, that bowler is good enough to go pro with that average.

[jobycom]

2. Beautiful! nt

[WeDidIt]

3. Yep, and show himself getting trounced by the guy

and from teh sounds of it, he'll defnitely get trounced.

Even if McConiughey were to spot him three frames.

[donheld]

4. I love it

The developmentally disabled are so very short changed in this country. Maybe this would help.

[NavyDavy]

5. we should start a letter writing campaign to get the Pres to

accept the challenge that would be great!

[appleannie1]

6. The outrage should have been that funding to S.O has been cut in the last 4 yrs, not what BO said.

I have a 42yr old son that has participated in S.O. for years. He has met Joe Paterno twice during state finals in Harrisburg. One of his favorite events was the slalom and cross country during the winter olympics. They had to cut the ski events two years ago because there is no longer enough money to fund it. In fact, they have cut a number of events that require traveling and staying overnight in a motel. My son bowls so well that he actually bowls for a league in the local community where he resides. One of the workers that helps care for him invited him to join a couple years ago when bowling was cut to a minimum with a lot less travel for regional and state events. Whenever you see a can at a local store, please donate. It brings such joy and pride to those that are less fortunate. A few quarters can end up bringing a smile that can light the world.

[TahitiNut]

7. Word!

But it's so much cheaper and more satisfying to exhibit poutrage than 'walk the walk.' Believe me, the MOST poutraged are often the LEAST supportive.

[appleannie1]

12. They are also those that keep a distance when they encounter a mentally challenged

individual in public. It is almost as though they think retardation is contagious or something. I quietly thank all the strangers that not only accept my son but talk to him whether at a car race, a casino (he loves slot machines), or an amusement park.

[TahitiNut]

14. Well we both know that they're the real losers. Maybe that's why they overcompensate ...

... by playing Aunt Waggingfinger every chance they get. Then again, I'm a 'people addict' who can't help but engage anyone that the Universe generously puts in my Life's Path. I'd HATE to not know what's 'extra' about "kids with something extra." I'd hate to not know Mark ... even if some avoid him. I'd hate to not know Mark's sister, who's been his guardian since their parents died. I'd like to claim 'virtue' but I'm just too damned busy in Life's "puppy pile" to bother.

[ZombieHorde]

19. Who is the "they" in your post?

[appleannie1]

22. Actually, about half of the population. It has gotten better over the years

as people have been educated. As a baby with a hare lip, I had one old lady tell me I should keep a blanket wrapped around his head so people did not have to look at him. I was taking him to Children's Hospital for a surgical evaluation to repair it at the time.

[lumberjack_jeff]

26. Why do you think that lady is the one most outraged?

I suspect not. I suspect she's one of the ones wondering what all the whining is about.

[lumberjack_jeff]

24. Clearly this topic needs more all-encompassing generalities. n/t

[Cha]

10. Double

Word!

[jefferson_dem]

8. This story made me weep...literally.

Did you see the video?

http://usat.gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-usatoday-206-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=immersiveproduction&maven_referralObject=975075055

I love this country...and our President.

[Cha]

11. THanks, I'll check it

later~

[masuki bance]

17. Thanks for the link, very moving.

[Cha]

9. I hope this happens..Prez Obama

stepped in it now he's really got to sharpen his bowling skills:)

[LynneSin]

13. I think Barack should host a Special Olympic's tournament at the White House lane

he could go even a step further and invite a few professional bowlers to compete too. I think the Olympians would love to go head to head with some of these champs. And a great fundraiser could be created from all of this from a worthwhile cause

[Life Long Dem]

15. Ha haa... I bet he'd beat the pants off the President.

Proves a point. Mr. Obama was correct. And I still see no gaffe.

[Ms. Toad]

20. It wouldn't be "funny"

to compare your poor score to the scores of another group of people if you didn't expect their scores to be something less than stellar. Using the perceived abilities of group of people as a put down (which is what self-deprecation is) doesn't work unless it is perceived that there was something lacking in the abilities of that group of people.

Same issue as putting down Ann Coulter by calling her Man Coulter - if being transexual weren't perceived as a negative, no one would toss that nickname about as as an insult. It doesn't mean the people here who have done intended to be hurtful - but many who have used that nickname have acknowledged that they hadn't thought through the implications when they used that nickname, have apologized and moved on.

The fact that he made a gaffe doesn't mean Obama needs to beat himself up over it - but I do hope he learns from it, acknowledges that he has learned from it,apologizes, and moves on.

[ddeclue]

16. If he bowls and average of 266 why is he working at a grocery store instead of being

on the pro bowlers tour?

:shrug:

Just askin'

[dbmk]

23. As much as I like the guys answer..

..I have to second this comment.

http://www.pba.com/stats/ytdstats.asp?Tour=1&Stype=Average

Best average in PBA seems to be 224.66. (earning the guy 140k)

That being said, their lack of ability or not, this is perhaps a group of people that one should be somewhat restrained about making the butt of a joke.
Republicans, fundies - all ok.

These people have not had the choice.

Hell, I know I can and will crack some jokes in the same ballpark from time to time. But on television and as a role model? There is a signal value to everything Obama says, like it or not.

But I still love the guy.

[cboy4]

18. Be careful Kolan, you're going to be accused of being a

Hillary fan PUMA.

LOL

[Phx_Dem]

21. See, now THAT is how to handle the situation. Nice job, Kolan.

:fistbump:

[annabanana]

25. What a nice idea!. . . .n/t

[Bread and Circus]

27. My best game was a 242 and that was a fluke... bowling well takes a lot of skill and consistency.