Final image (gif) of the day.

For those who are not aware, this is the man that stood up during the Mandela Memorial the other day, that was attended by dignitaries from around the world, including our current and two former Presidents, and provided sign language interpretation.

Except that he was apparently NOT a sign language interpreter, and clearly did NOT know sign language.

This from CNN:

To those outside the deaf community, the sign language interpreter for Nelson Mandela's memorial may have looked like he was working hard, translating the spoken words into gestures for four hours. 

But he has been dubbed "a fake," and his actions outraged deaf people, according to an association for the deaf community in South Africa. 

The service to commemorate the revered statesman, who died last week at the age of 95, was broadcast to millions of viewers around the world. 

While dignitaries addressed the crowd Tuesday at Johannesburg's FNB stadium, the unidentified suited man with a security pass produced a series of hand signals that experts say meant nothing. 

The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) said the "interpreter" was not a recognized professional, nor was he known by the deaf community in the country. 

"The so-called 'interpreter' who interpreted at the official memorial service for late former president Nelson Mandela at FNB stadium has been dubbed the 'fake interpreter' and the deaf community is in outrage," Bruno Druchen, national director of DeafSA, said in a statement. 

"He is not known by the Deaf Community in South Africa nor by the South African Sign Language interpreters working in the field." 

The man did not use facial expressions, which in South African sign language are an important part of communication, and the hand signals he used were meaningless, Druchen said. 

"The signs (self-invented signs) the interpreter used are not used in South African Sign Language and it is a total mockery of the language," he said.

Okay at this point I am torn between very impressed that anybody had the balls to pull off such a daring prank, at such a  highly publicized event, and horrified that anybody could get that close to dignitaries without a background check and screening.

If this guy had been a terrorist this could have been a very bad situation indeed.

But as a prank, this guy has really set the bar to a new high.

However he had better steer well clear of the deaf community for awhile, because if they see his ass he might get a completely silent beat down, with an actual deaf interpreter standing nearby signing curses and insults in his direction.

President Obama demonstrates that his connection to people trancends his eloquent use of the spoken word.

I am sure that many of you ave already had the chance to watch this video of President Obama responding to a hearing impaired supporter.

Here is what the young man, Stephon, "said" about meeting the President:

Hello, I would love to share my experience; something that I will not forget for rest of my life. Today was a special day for me, and I was preparing for it. It was announced yesterday, March 14, for everyone to receive tickets to see none other than the President of the United States, Barack Obama! 

When I got ready to get up the morning at 7 am, I did not rush and took my time since the admission started at 8:30 am. I ate some breakfast and got onto the train to get to Prince George’s Community College. When I got there, there was such a long line and I got so worried that I wouldn’t get a good seat to be able to see my interpreter! How was it possible for me to understand what Obama had to say?! 

I decided to let go of my nerves and went with the flow. I waited in line to go through security. Security was almost like security at the airport. It was the first time for me to experience that kind of security outside an airport. Of course, I have been to airports numerous times, but it was my first time to have that kind of experience on my college campus. I was not used to it. I saw the actual Secret Service, and you could feel how serious and strict they were, much different than dealing with county and even state police! You could tell they were not playing around. 

When I got in, I took many videos. What amazed me is that it took two hours to make it just right before Obama started. I did not realize how great of seats there were for us deaf people. Right front of Obama. I sat in VIP with the Governor Martin O’Malley and many other important people. So, it started at about 11. Obama was right front of me. I was ready to jump up and walk toward him and shake his hand. Could you imagine how the Secret Service would’ve responded? When I watched Obama give his speech on the stage I thought to myself, “No way, Obama is not standing right in front of me! Wow!” 

If you want to know more about what Obama’s speech was about, you can find out online. I was close enough to touch Martin O’Malley on his shoulder but I didn’t want to bother him. I regret I could have done better holding my camera while talking to Obama. The moment I will never forget was when he looked at me. He gave me a chance to talk to him. It was like he was waiting for me to say something. I took the moment and signed “I am proud of you,” and his response was “Thank u” in sign language back! Oh my gosh! I was like wow! He understood me after I said I was proud of him. It was so amazing…I was just speechless. Right after he thanked me, he smiled at another deaf lady who signed “I love you.” When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me. He was just a humble man. I am just impressed by him and know that he will have my vote and he will win second term without a doubt. Yeah, I feel safe to have him for another term. 

And just in case you were not adequately impressed with the President's casual command of sign language you might be  interested to learn that he is not the ONLY Obama so well versed in ASL.

I have often mentioned how important it is to me that my President be person of great humanity. This is just another indication that we chose the right man, and First Lady, and that they more than deserve a second term in office.
(H/T to Distriction.)