That fake signer at Mandela's memorial- Page 2

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 5:42pm

It's making a mockery of the deaf. It's downright insensitive.

[Salene]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 6:22pm

"if Obama can take a selfie with Cameron at the service"

That was Helle Thorning-Schmidt, prime minister of Denmark.

http://www.dagbladet.no/2013/12/11/nyheter/samfunn/utenriks/selfie/helle_thoring-schmidt/30784291/ Updated On: 12/11/13 at 06:22 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 8:21pm

Obama isn't taking the selfie.

If you'd just look at the picture, Goth, you would see that.


Just more lies from the Republicans.

[tinysmagic]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 8:48pm

https://www.facebook.com/thami.jantjie.1?fref=browse_search

[tazber]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 9:49pm

The selfie from left to right:

Cameron, Thorning-Schmidt, Obama.

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 10:08pm

Why is the "Selfie" thing even a fricking issue? Mitt Romney's son took a picture in front of a car crash and no one made a big deal about that. And as others have said, Obama was not the one taking the picture.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 10:26pm

Because Romney's son wasn't a negro.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:16am

It's a terrible mockery. Insensitive and insulting.

How in the world did he get the credentials to stand on the stage with these world leaders?

Updated On: 12/12/13 at 12:16 AM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:20am

People are really demanding an answer to that, so I imagine we'll have an answer to that soon enough.

Here's a video that Deaf Pride posted on Facebook comparing real sign language to this asshat's fake interpreting.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=189405067928557

[tazber]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 5:50am

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's funeral has said a schizophrenic episode was to blame for accusations that he was an imposter who gesticulated nonsense during the entire service.
Signer claims mental illness

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 7:09am

It's really shocking how there could have been this lapse in security for those 'hired' to work at this event.

Not to stigmatize mental illness - people can (and do!) get help. But, to have someone who has admitted to violent behavior standing just feet from our world leaders is frightening.

This has, apparently, happened before. Just shocking.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 8:12am

"I love The Fantasticks reference earlier!"

Oh, fantastick. I was going to go with "There's the obvious open schoolboy rape," but that didn't seem right given the context.

Also, here's the "Today" show thing:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2521999/Today-mocks-fraudulent-Mandela-memorial-sign-language-interpreter-offensive-gag-live-television.html

Also, as a person who works in an industry providing services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, I'd like to clarify that what I find funny about this situation is just that it happened, just the sheer absurdity of the occurrence itself, not the content therein.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:30am

"If you'd just look at the picture, Goth, you would see that."

When did I say anything about a selfie? Stop your cut and paste posting.

Updated On: 12/12/13 at 09:30 AM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:32am

This guy is unreal. Blaming it all on mental illness? Despicable.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:39am

"It's really shocking how there could have been this lapse in security for those 'hired' to work at this event."

And for him to get as close to Obama as he did. Obama should choose staff that take his welfare more seriously.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:00am

Exactly.

Obama.

WELFARE.

Amirite, Goth?

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:19am

Imagine if a REPUBLICAN president had allowed this to happen!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:29am

Dang it growl, you cracked my code.

Republicans, abort mission! Move to Plan B.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:31am

Ha!

[Jane2]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:33am

Seems to me that anyone caught doing something wrong now blames it on mental illness. They think that excuses it because they no longer have to take responsibility.

That, and claiming "I made a mistake" is an excuse for any crime, especially murder.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:44am

They should have hired Garret Morris.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:46am

They should have hired this girl!
Prepare to Melt!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 11:01am

Tyrone Giordano linked this earlier today. Good read.

(And that little girl in the link above is amazing!)
The Mandela sign interpreter has done deaf people a favour

Updated On: 12/12/13 at 11:01 AM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:13pm

"When did I say anything about a selfie? Stop your cut and paste posting. "

Before you edited your post to say something about Liza...


"if Obama can take a selfie with Cameron at the service"

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:17pm

There was a South African official on NPR today and she said that her government should not be embarrassed and that likely the Fakir was vetted! South Africa let a mentally ill person stand next to President Obama! This could be viewed as a diplomatic breach!

The head of security for the event must be fired.