Banning the "R" word

[Marshal Earp]

and you say "regardless of how anyone uses it"     how can you NOT take into account the context of the word?

Keep on getting angry every time you hear it. Cuz you'll continue to be a miserable fuck, consequently spreading your negativity and angry-ness towards others. My entire point from the beggining, is if the word isnt being used directly towards someone in a hateful tone, why get all your panties all bunched up? What's the point?

The point is, which you have just clearly demonstrated, is you don't give a shit about anyone elses feelings except your own.

YOU don't find it offensive so nobody else should either. YOU find it funny so every one else should just lighten the hell up and laugh to. Because YOU are all that matters right?


##And BTW, you need to brush up on your history. Comparing the mentally handicapped to the way african americans were persecuted is absolutely valid. However, one groups abuses date back much farther. They were both despised for something they have no control over by an ignorant, intolerent society.

[BadKitty]

Last I checked no one ever made a mentally retarded individual mow their lawn, pick their cotton, and make their meals for them for zero pay. No ones ever whipped a mentally retarded person and no one has ever lynched a retard. There's never been laws in place that force retards to take a shit in a designated area and there's never been a sign below a water fountain saying "For Retards only"

I've got no dog in this hunt, other than a general instinct to (1) protect language and speech from censorship (tho not to grant exemptions from asshole accusations, as anyone who calls me a bitch will find out double-quick) and (2) point and laugh at anyone talking out of both sides of their face, but the mentally retarded have, relatively recently, been targets of pretty horrific legally-sanctioned discrimination right here in the good ol' US of A.  During the 20th century, at various times in various states, the mentally retarded were involuntarily sterilized and sometimes "euthanized" by our illustrious government to prevent them from passing on their genes and reduce the burdens they imposed on society.  We were never as dedicated to eugenics as the Nazis, but they actually modeled many of their racial hygene programs on US programs for dealing with the mentally retarded.  In fact, it was only the discovery of the horrors of the concentration camps that ended the practice here.

(Compliments of Mr. Kitty, the medical and scientific historian.) 

[monkeyghoul]

Yeah, people born with disabilities have been mistreated for much of history.

"Retarded" was not originally meant to be insulting.  However, Wikipedia notes that the use of "retarded" as a general insult is what led to the term being considered offensive when applied to the naturally disabled.  I don't see why we can't just use words like "idiotic" or "moronic" -- which no longer refer to the mentally challenged, thanks to political correctness and gradual societal enlightenment -- instead.  Or "ridiculous," or "hella dumb."  Why use something that's not just negative but specifically offensive?  Again, I see this as more or less the same thing as using the verb "jew" or the general insult "gay."  Without any effort on the part of the speaker, and without necessarily being intended to refer to actual disabled, Jewish, or gay people, these kinds of terms tap into centuries of hatred, stereotypes, oppression, murder, and other mistreatment.  Sure, your friends may not care if you toss out terms like this... or maybe some do, and haven't said anything 'cuz they're embarrassed or don't want to hassle you or think they're in the minority.  (This describes alot of people.)  And even if none of your friends care, when we're talking about words with clear demographic referents, isn't it likely that the way you speak either reflects or affects the way you think?  (If not, what kinduva two-faced conversationalist are you?)

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Calling someone a "retard" is considered offensive 100% of the time, btw.  Calling someone "mentally/physically retarded"... I don't know, but from what Earp was saying, it also sounds like it's officially unacceptable.  But the law being proposed isn't just about those; it's also about whether people can use "retarded" to describe something they think is generally dumb, isn't it?  At least that's how Rush & Rahm have been heard using it.  (They were both describing ultraliberals, not mentally challenged folks.)

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If you offend someone by using terms that are already established as offensive, and then you tell them "You're just being negative / oversensitive / etc." if they complain...  That's purely asinine.  I don't know if a law is the answer... but more people complaining might be.

[GiveMeGore]

My philosophy has always been...... if you can't do anything about it then why worry about it. Earp, there is nothing you or anyone else is going to do to change something that is prevelant is billions of peoples lives on a daily basis. You getting all bent out of shape about someone YOU DON'T KNOW says or DOES for that matter, solves what? At the end of the day where is getting pissed off going to get you? You going to change the world one asshole at a time?

Read the news you miserable bastard.....  people get raped, mangled, murdered.... babies get raped. Babies get decapitated and eaten. People break into other peoples houses, steal, shoot poison into their veins....do you want me to continue? This shit has happened somewhere on this Earth as I've been typing this post.

Keep on worrying about the words that come out of peoples mouths and I'll keep my mentality I currently have. Guarantee at the end of the day there's more peace and happiness in general on my worst day than you'll ever have. Unless you got some horror related business to chat about out, go back under your rock. End of discussion...

[Splatterscribe]

Unless you got some horror related business to chat about out, go back under your rock. End of discussion...

I am not..repeat not..taking sides or stepping into the middle of this, guys, but GMG..didn't you start this thread (which is not horror related) in the first place?

Just sayin' man.......

(I know. I'm an asshole.)

[GiveMeGore]

Unless you got some horror related business to chat about out, go back under your rock. End of discussion...

I am not..repeat not..taking sides or stepping into the middle of this, guys, but GMG..didn't you start this thread (which is not horror related) in the first place?

Just sayin' man.......

(I know. I'm an asshole.)

Yep and as soon as I'm done posting here, I normally ADD to the horror part of the horror site we're on. Meanwhile Earp just pops in every couple of months, ranting and raving and says jack shit about anything horror related.

Am I right or am I wrong?

[Splatterscribe]

Unless you got some horror related business to chat about out, go back under your rock. End of discussion...

I am not..repeat not..taking sides or stepping into the middle of this, guys, but GMG..didn't you start this thread (which is not horror related) in the first place?

Just sayin' man.......

(I know. I'm an asshole.)

Yep and as soon as I'm done posting here, I normally ADD to the horror part of the horror site we're on. Meanwhile Earp just pops in every couple of months, ranting and raving and says jack shit about anything horror related.

Am I right or am I wrong?

I wouldn't say he never  discusses horror, though. He just didn't this time  because-unless I misunderstood his initial post- he felt compelled by way of a personal experience to reply to a thread that you posted. He replied honestly, just like you did. I don't know if I'd call it ranting and raving..he just took issue with your comments. By the same token, you reciprocated with just as much honesty.

As to what he discusses,  the guy has the right to pick and choose which threads he replies to just like the rest of us. As it happens, he did leave a post concerning the film  Planes, Trains and Automobiles in the Comedy Watch thread this last time, so it isn't as if he doesn't contribute to the other aspects of the site.

Earp..in deference to the comments about your son..... I feel you, man. My nephew Adam (with whom I am very close) has a form of Aspbergers  Syndrome that results in his both being hyperactive and sometimes making comments that are socially awkward without realizing it. He's on meds for the condition now, but there have been a few instances where some people-adults - have publicly criticized the kid (who is eleven). I get that his behavior can make people uncomfortable, but to be so nasty to a child who didn't ask for this..especially when his parents do the best they can to monitor and control the situation...well, every time it happens, I just want to send a right hook right into the mouth of the douche making the comment..

Speaking of people who only appear every so often...- does anyone know what in the hell happened to Pumpkinking?

[GiveMeGore]

The ironic aspect of all this..... when referring to mentally handicapped people and being mistreated.... is the fact that going back in ancient history....  which group of people would have been most likely to stone, torture, exile, etc etc... a child that was born mentally retarded? Christains is the answer. Maybe you won't find the irony in that Earp, but I do 

[Marshal Earp]

In light of your accusations that I don't contribute anything to this site except these hot button topic threads I went back and clicked on my posting list (which you can too BTW). You know what funny thing I discovered? With the exception of YOUR athiest thread and YOUR "retard" thread my only posts have been about movies in some form. So maybe you're just talking out your ass because you don't want opposition to your twisted beliefs. Sorry to dissapoint. (Funny, I seem to recall you making this same accusation a while back to GC for dare opposing your mighty opinions?)

Oh and BTW, for you always bragging about what a happy person you are, you certainly are quite an asshole. How does that work?

[GiveMeGore]

In light of your accusations that I don't contribute anything to this site except these hot button topic threads I went back and clicked on my posting list (which you can too BTW). You know what funny thing I discovered? With the exception of YOUR athiest thread and YOUR "retard" thread my only posts have been about movies in some form. So maybe you're just talking out your ass because you don't want opposition to your twisted beliefs. Sorry to dissapoint. (Funny, I seem to recall you making this same accusation a while back to GC for dare opposing your mighty opinions?)

Oh and BTW, for you always bragging about what a happy person you are, you certainly are quite an asshole. How does that work?

Dude, you pop on here once every 3 months. Fuck yourself. Check out the recent horror watches or recent DVD purchases thread.

And that's your opinion. One I could give 2 shits about. Don't for one minute think you KNOW me because you read sentences I write on a horror forum. Truth of the matter is I am probably the happiest individual you've ever came across. I haven't gotten into an argument with a person I know in the flesh since probably 9th grade. I'm so happy and content with life that you can take away my breath tomorrow and I'm cool with it.

You're one of those pricks who probably have little to zero actual friends that you can call up and have a beer with on a Thursday night. Probably about as cool as cock cancer to hang out with. Got the sense of humor of a throwrug and a religious judgemental freak to boot. I don't understand how someone whos sperm produced a mentally retarded child, still believes someone above created him. Idiot.

[GeneralCinema]

While I was a Boy Scout, I helped out at the Special Olympics of New Jersey.  I can absolutely see why someone would take offense to the word 'Retard'.  However, as it has been stated in this thread...it IS only a word.  George Carlin said "Nobody cares when Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy uses the word 'Nigger'.  Why? They're Niggers!"  While I DO agree that it's just a word and that people need to find some extra-curricular activities to take up their spare time, I'll also say this:

I don't like using words that were born of or that convey hatred.  I don't think like that, therefore there's no reason for me to use a word that used primarily to disparage a group of people.  Do I think it's stupid to try and ban the use of a word?  Yes.  This is on par with the school in Southern California that banned the MERRIAM-WEBSTER DICTIONARY because a parent complained about the entry “oral sex.”

It's the fucking DICTIONARY - which I might add has entries for the words 'Nigger' AND 'Retard'.

Banning the use of a word doesn't make the word cease to exist, it just makes people use it more.

[gorific89]

Damn everyones being a dick today...and for some reason this time it's not me...sweet...

Oh yeah contribution...

Sarah Palin explaining why is was okay for Rush to use the term "retard" but demands that a liberal loses his job over it...

"Its like the "N" word, you can't go around and call people that... Just like you can't go around using the word "retard" only me and my fellow retarded republicans can use that word."

and wow GMG...you've outdone yourself... we need to have a cock of the month award...in all seriousness...

again damn... You must be one of those pill poppin junkies to get angry over such a miniscule disagreement... 

[GeneralCinema]

In light of your accusations that I don't contribute anything to this site except these hot button topic threads I went back and clicked on my posting list (which you can too BTW). You know what funny thing I discovered? With the exception of YOUR athiest thread and YOUR "retard" thread my only posts have been about movies in some form. So maybe you're just talking out your ass because you don't want opposition to your twisted beliefs. Sorry to dissapoint. (Funny, I seem to recall you making this same accusation a while back to GC for dare opposing your mighty opinions?)

Oh and BTW, for you always bragging about what a happy person you are, you certainly are quite an asshole. How does that work?

Dude, you pop on here once every 3 months. Fuck yourself. Check out the recent horror watches or recent DVD purchases thread.

And that's your opinion. One I could give 2 shits about. Don't for one minute think you KNOW me because you read sentences I write on a horror forum. Truth of the matter is I am probably the happiest individual you've ever came across. I haven't gotten into an argument with a person I know in the flesh since probably 9th grade. I'm so happy and content with life that you can take away my breath tomorrow and I'm cool with it.

You're one of those pricks who probably have little to zero actual friends that you can call up and have a beer with on a Thursday night. Probably about as cool as cock cancer to hang out with. Got the sense of humor of a throwrug and a religious judgemental freak to boot. I don't understand how someone whos sperm produced a mentally retarded child, still believes someone above created him. Idiot.

Earp's probably busy with other things, so he's not able to come onto the site as often as everyone else.  There are other people that post about as sporadically as him - Don't be so judgmental.

Calling someone an Idiot and saying the other things you did about Earp tells me that you're not as happy as you claim.  There's a lot of anger in those words - I don't care if you're calling it as you see it...it's called couth.  I'll admit that I have little to no couth at all, but I try and use tact with everything I say...this seems to be a trait that you lack as well.

[FatalTragedy]

The Crazies sucked.






















Derailed.

[Splatterscribe]

The Crazies sucked.






















Derailed.

 

FT you are rapidly becoming my favorite person on this site.