A gentleman responds;
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/14/AR2010021402893.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

A scholar speaks…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/11/AR2010021103896.html?hpid=opinionsbox1

Again, the point is missed.  This is not about political correctness, changing the English language or about contrived terminology such as “word fetish” for people who are offended by a slur.  The real question is when does a word become a slur?  Obviously the word ‘retard’ has legitimate use in the English language but the question is what goes through the mind of those who use it when they say, “that is SO ret—ed,” or  “you ret—d!”  Is the intent to imply someone or something is a slow moving John Deer tractor or a person with disabilites?  What do you MEAN when you say that word?  What mental picture is in your mind?  Some have accused us of trying to ‘change’ the English language.  The irony is we do not want the language changed.  All we want is the language to be used correctly and not as some hateful slur.   When you go to your mother’s house what words do you NOT use around her?  Why?  Do you hold your tongue because it offends your mother, or pastor.  If so, maybe you need to think about the words you use and if they might affect someone around you.  Its not about freedom of speech.  It’s about respect…. respecting that another person, whether they have disabilities or a different color of skin, has the same right to be offended by hateful words the same as you.

Satirical or not, Ms. Palin, this is not a political issue where its okay for one side to use it and the other side not.  Using this word in any way as a slur is wrong and hurtful to people with disabilities, their families and their friends.  It’s not about political correctness or politics, or freedom of speech, it’s about respect.  You do a disservice to those individuals and families by not standing up for what is right.  You have in fact just thrown this issue and those individuals and families under the bus for your own political aspirations by condoning the use of this slur as long as it’s satire.

We would ask you Ms. Palin, for  your child’s sake, and for all of the other people out there who look up to you as a champion for those with disabilities to re-think this issue.

==============================

Palin now excuses Limbaugh’s use of “retard”: “He was satirical in that” :
http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201002070004

From Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/02/07/palin-considering-2012-ru_n_452602.html

On Chief-of-Staff Rahm Emanuel, she said his comments calling liberal groups “f-ing retards” was “indecent and insensitive” and cause for his dismissal.

But the former governor went to great and sometimes awkward lengths to insist that when conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh used the same exact term to describe the same exact group, it was simply in the role of political humorist.

“They are kooks, so I agree with Rush Limbaugh,” she said, when read a quote of Limbaugh calling liberal groups “retards.” “Rush Limbaugh was using satire … . I didn’t hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with ‘f-ing retards,’ and we did know that Rahm Emanuel, as has been reported, did say that. There is a big difference there.”

Major Updates Proposed for the ‘Bible of Psychiatry’

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,585362,00.html

Don’t say “mental retardation” — the new term is “intellectual disability.” No more diagnoses of Asperger’s syndrome — call it a mild version of autism instead.

">http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=

Nicely Said!

Subject: The R-word and Bravo’s responsibility
Date: Fri, February 05, 2010 5:19 pm

I had the TV on in the background last night while I was working and Kell on Earth was on.  Twice in less than an hour, her employees used the r-word.  One employee stated that he had left a very successful career in California to come to NY only to be treated like a retard.  The second employee was frustrated with something she had done and was crying that she felt like she was retarded.
 
I turned if off and will not watch it again, have posted comments on facebook and submitted a complaint to Bravo.  I hope that you will contact them as well.  While it is inappropriate for individuals to use it, Bravo has a bigger responsibility not to promote such behavior.
 
Thank you!
 
==================================================
 
To Let BRAVO Know How You Feel About The Use Of The r-Word On This Show Write:

Bravo Viewer Relations
3000 W. Alameda Ave., Suite 250
Burbank, CA 91523

Or Use The E-Mail Form At:
http://www.bravotv.com/contact

“Our politically correct society is acting like some giant insult’s taken place by calling a bunch of people who are ‘retards,’ ‘retards,’ Limbaugh said on this radio show, according to the transcript. “So now there’s going to be a meeting, there’s going to be a ‘Retard’ Summit at the White House.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/02/05/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6177457.shtml

====================================================

You can call The Rush Limbaugh Show program line
between 12 Noon and 3PM Eastern Time at: 1-800-282-2882

You can e-mail Rush at:

You can fax Rush at: 212-445-3963

You can write Rush at:
The Rush Limbaugh Show
1270 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

From Wednesday, February 3, 2010 – Autism Unexpected by Jean Winegardner:

“It might actually be a good thing that this happened so publicly. Maybe it will bring the hurtfulness of this word into the open, because that message is not out there yet. I hear people use this word all the time. I’ve heard very smart, caring people who know I have an autistic son use it. I’ve heard doctors use it. On one memorable occasion, I even heard someone who runs a group home for individuals with disabilities use it.”

“Every time, it makes me cringe.”

“I have seen several articles about the Emanuel incident in which his slur is reproduced in print as, “f**king retarded.” I know which one of those words bothers me, and it isn’t the one with the asterisks in it.”

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/autism-unexpected/2010/feb/3/rahm-emanuel-and-r-word/

 Across the United States and around the globe, young people on college campuses, in high school cafeterias and workaday offices have joined a movement of mutual respect and human dignity called Spread the Word to End the Word.  The goal: get people to stop and think about their hurtful and disparaging use of the word “retard” and pledge to stop using it.

http://www.specialolympics.org/03-31-09_Spread_the_Word.aspx

Feel free to use the following Sample Proclamation in announcing a “Spread the Word to End the Word” Awareness day for your community or state.  Change the words to fit your community and submit it to your school principal, city mayor or state governor!

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, according to the 2005 U.S. Census Bureau, 604,245 Oklahomans, 19.0% age 5 and over, have some form of disability; and

WHEREAS, people with disabilities constitute our nation’s largest minority group, almost one in five; and

WHEREAS, this group is also the most inclusive and most diverse group: all ages, genders, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic levels are represented; and

WHEREAS, when the words “retard” or “retarded” are used without thinking to mean something stupid or bad it is hurtful to people who have disabilities and the people who love them; and

WHEREAS, it perpetuates prejudice and discrimination towards people with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, this word is just as cruel and offensive as any other slur or hate speech;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRAD HENRY, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, (OR YOUR MAYOR, CITY OFFICIAL OR PRINCIPAL) do hereby proclaim

March 3, 2010, as

“Spread the Word to End The “r” Word Day” in the State of Oklahoma, and encourage all Oklahomans to Spread the Word throughout their communities and schools encourage everyone to stop saying the “r” word.

Spread The Word Image for T-Shirts or Small Posters (pdf)

Spread The Word Image Large Posters (pdf)

Other FREE Materials To Make Your Voices Heard!

Special Olympics Resource Materials for “Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Day”

Using the word “retard” is as offensive as a racial slur like “nigger”, Special Olympics New Zealand says.

The organisation had asked the Broadcasting Standards Authority to ensure using “the R word” was unacceptable after TV One’s Breakfast host Paul Henry last week called Scottish singer Susan Boyle “retarded”.

Follow link for the rest of the story:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=10612584