Something that has happened (not hypothetical)

[Rich in KY]

The American people? ....or are you saying that the current administration no longer works for us?

Right. Cause that is how government works.

Where is Donald Trump when you need him?

 

[Kokopelli]

Again I push my nose into places that I possibly shouldn't but... what can I say, I'm a meddling fool.

Firstly I admit I can't understand the full meaning of the situation as American politics is not something I we're exposed to here... we have enough problems as it is.

However, politicians, like all human beings- are capable of making an error of judgment, or let slip a word that really should not be used.
What people sometime forget is that behind every role there's a person who is capable of making a mistake- demanding that doctors, politicians, lawyers, scientists or anyone else never make a mistake is quite absurd.
The media glorifies every err a person makes, for rating or newspaper sales- it's an economical consideration... don't allow them to affect your opinion.

Granted, if a person of high standing makes an official announcement of his thoughts and feelings in such a manner, that it is obvious it's not just a slip of the tongue... alright. But to me this doesn't sound extreme enough to warrant all the fuss.

Our vocabulary is also affected by our environment, common phrases and so forth- it doesn't necessarily give insight to the belief system of said individual.

Lastly... I think the word retarded is amusing, all of our concept of "right", "wrong", "intellectual development"... it's all a bunch of nonsense, it is humans trying to put everything into tablets and then measure everything up on a scale which is quite irrelevant.
who's to say, "retarded" people aren't the next step of evolution?- preferring to act, be creative and learn on their own rather than sit and learn many things they don't really have a need for.

I understand the need to compare one person to the next in order to get a general picture of things... but to use that in order to create derogatory terms is absurd and without basis. I have known quite a few people with DD and let me tell you- they are very emotionally developed and are a deal more intelligent and interesting than many "normal" people in my eyes.

Once people realize that things can always change, there's always more to learn and that we will never get the whole picture- certainly not by trying to cram it into a frame that can never contain it... terms such as retarded will lose their meaning.

Anyone who thinks he can measure a person in accordance to our limited concepts of "right", "wrong", "developed" and so on is delusional and thinks too highly of himself

 

[Rich in KY]

However, politicians, like human beings- are capable of making an error of judgment, or let slip a word that really should not be used.

You are right, sometimes politicians do act like human beings

And I agree with much of your post. Many people do think in terms of absolute when it comes to right and wrong. Especially their definition of right and wrong. Let those without sins cast the first stones.

 

[Kokopelli]

You are right, sometimes politicians do act like human beings

Oi, low blow.
Edited and corrected :laugh01:

 

[Rich in KY]

Edited and corrected :laugh01:

Dude, you should have left it. I think it was quite appropriate!

 

[Susan]

I haven't had a chance to read all of this thread, but I have to make one comment...It is very difficult to purposefully insult someone without using offending words that may insult someone.

 

[Pruddock]

WOW, appalled by all the references, analogies, comparisons, etc...First off, comparing 'blacks' (as you say) to people with mental handicaps in and of itself is not well taken, nor are the justifications of the 'n' word..Turmoil you create internally of a said word is your problem until you come across those who it offends. All this pretension, and political correctness has taken this discussion on a path of no return..Emmanuel was wrong for what he said, but at least he had the gall to apologize. For good or bad, he attempted to make amends, and now it's on those offended to accept or reject. It doesn't open up the Pandora's Box on offensive language, or give anybody else a right to say something equally as ignorant..The history and cultural relevance of the 'n' word is totally separate and requires an open mind to discuss..Otherwise it just becomes a group of people speaking on a subject they wish they understood, but to the deepest capacity do not!

I had a lengthy post typed up in response to this and realized it would again be lost among those who it was trying to reach. Continue on your journey of misunderstanding Ricky... [/CLICK] Ignore [/CLICK]

 

[tyflier]

I want to know what makes one intellectual insult so much worse than all the others, and who decided which ones were bad and not allowed and which ones are allowed and perfectly fine?

Where was I when this meeting was had? I have an opinion and would have liked to express it...

The trouble is...whenever you are trying to insult or "pick on" someone, you're going to offend someone else.

I'm not an insensitive individual that doesn't care about any other person, contrary to what some around here would like to believe. I grew up with a DD cousin who at 40 years old has the mental capacity of 2 year old, and my best friend from kindergarten through 10th grade(he died) had severe Cerebral Palsey. I volunteered to work with DD children in Jr. High and High School, and while I may not be as passionate as Dr. Cox, that doesn't make me a completely insensitive individual.

But what makes "retarded" so much worse than "idiotic" or "moronic" or just plain stupid? The truth is that ALL of these words are bound to be offensive to someone somewhere. So...who chooses which groups of people are OK to piss off and which ones aren't? And why was the decision made without getting my opinion on the subject?

This is why I have a problem with people trying to force their own personal morals on everyone else. It's impossible to please everyone, and someone is always gonna be mad about something you say. So while I agtree that in public and mixed company, one should use manners and grace, a little tact and be polite. But I don't see why people get so up in arms and bent out of shape over a word. It's just a word...

Before anyone gets carried away, we are NOT talking about people that are spweing hate with the intention of creating and expanding hate against others. We're talking about people that might let a rude word slip on occasion when they think no one is listening. So really...enough with the comparisons to the "N-word", and the righteously indignant shouts of "you're part of the problem" towards anyone that isn't offended by it. It's just a word. And there are FAR worse things going on the world that you can get upset over.

The word wasn't used to incite hate and anger towards people with developemental disabilities. It was used as a jab, a poke in the ribs, even an insult, towards a completely unrelated and wholly developmentally ABLED individuals. Completely different context...

 

[danielle]

Now getting mad about the word retarded is retarded and my son is delayed as well. This is the problem with America though the land of the free is a flipping joke. We have "nice" words for everything and are expected to use them in a country where freedom of speech is supposidly so guarded. Who cares Palin needs a reality check on this one no one was referring to her son who by the way is retarded...oh excuse me has down syndrome the nice word for retarded. Retarded has many meanings and I use the word frequently about bills, laws, and people- I guess I am a terrible person too

 

[danielle]

Can't rep Chris, but amen!!!

 

[LBoz]

Well said, D! Us "short bus" moms gotta stick together! ^5!

Words have as much power as you choose to give them.

 

[tyflier]

Now getting mad about the word retarded is retarded and my son is delayed as well. This is the problem with America though the land of the free is a flipping joke. We have "nice" words for everything and are expected to use them in a country where freedom of speech is supposidly so guarded. Who cares Palin needs a reality check on this one no one was referring to her son who by the way is retarded...oh excuse me has down syndrome the nice word for retarded. Retarded has many meanings and I use the word frequently about bills, laws, and people- I guess I am a terrible person too

I use the word, too. And the reality is this--

The only reason Mike started this topic is because he was hoping to rally support behind him in this, and turn against me because I called Rush Limbaugh a "retard". He an KJ tried to rattle me in the bogus "taking credit" thread, and that didn't work, so he thought he could easily get me going if everyone was talking about how hateful the word is, and than he called me out on it.

Didn't quite work the way you expected, eh Mike? I noticed you haven't really posted much since starting the topic. I guess it didn't quite go as you had planned. You know why? The idea was retarded...:flames:

Too many people spend way too much time looking for reasons to be mad, offended, or angry at someone else. Too many people feel like THEY are more important than everyone else and THEIR problems and beliefs are the only RIGHT problems and beliefs. Too many people like to think that "freedom" and "America" represent a land where a few control the many, and your thoughts and actions can be dictated and controlled by a handful of individuals in power. Those people are retarded. Or perhaps you prefer moronic? Idiotic? Jerks? Goofballs? Douchebags? Scumbags? Schmucks? Dolts? Dullards? Idgits? Numbskulls? Dumb? Choose the word that doesn't offend you and pretend that is the one I uised...

Or waste your time getting mad at me for having a large vocabulary of synonomous insults...

 

[wilomn]

I use the word, too. And the reality is this--

The only reason Mike started this topic is because he was hoping to rally support behind him in this, and turn against me because I called Rush Limbaugh a "retard". He an KJ tried to rattle me in the bogus "taking credit" thread, and that didn't work, so he thought he could easily get me going if everyone was talking about how hateful the word is, and than he called me out on it.

Didn't quite work the way you expected, eh Mike? I noticed you haven't really posted much since starting the topic. I guess it didn't quite go as you had planned. You know why? The idea was retarded...:flames:

Too many people spend way too much time looking for reasons to be mad, offended, or angry at someone else. Too many people feel like THEY are more important than everyone else and THEIR problems and beliefs are the only RIGHT problems and beliefs. Too many people like to think that "freedom" and "America" represent a land where a few control the many, and your thoughts and actions can be dictated and controlled by a handful of individuals in power. Those people are retarded. Or perhaps you prefer moronic? Idiotic? Jerks? Goofballs? Douchebags? Scumbags? Schmucks? Dolts? Dullards? Idgits? Numbskulls? Dumb? Choose the word that doesn't offend you and pretend that is the one I uised...

Or waste your time getting mad at me for having a large vocabulary of synonomous insults...

LOL, like I had written it myself.

Well done.

 

[mike17l]

I use the word, too. And the reality is this--

The only reason Mike started this topic is because he was hoping to rally support behind him in this, and turn against me because I called Rush Limbaugh a "retard". He an KJ tried to rattle me in the bogus "taking credit" thread, and that didn't work, so he thought he could easily get me going if everyone was talking about how hateful the word is, and than he called me out on it.

Didn't quite work the way you expected, eh Mike? I noticed you haven't really posted much since starting the topic. I guess it didn't quite go as you had planned. You know why? The idea was retarded...:flames:

Too many people spend way too much time looking for reasons to be mad, offended, or angry at someone else. Too many people feel like THEY are more important than everyone else and THEIR problems and beliefs are the only RIGHT problems and beliefs. Too many people like to think that "freedom" and "America" represent a land where a few control the many, and your thoughts and actions can be dictated and controlled by a handful of individuals in power. Those people are retarded. Or perhaps you prefer moronic? Idiotic? Jerks? Goofballs? Douchebags? Scumbags? Schmucks? Dolts? Dullards? Idgits? Numbskulls? Dumb? Choose the word that doesn't offend you and pretend that is the one I uised...

Or waste your time getting mad at me for having a large vocabulary of synonomous insults...

I thought we discussed it before, I have a job, I have to work, and I cannot afford internet at home, so I do not have all the time in the world to respond to threads on the internet. Ill get around to it, but right now I have to go back to paying for other people's dog food and internet.

See you in a while.

And one more thing for ya, I will bring back the other thread, I just haven't had time.

 

[ComoxCorn]

I take notice that Mike likes to start politically charged threads. Politics is usually a subject that draws a wide range of opinions and in forums and personal conversation oftens leads to strongly opposed points of view. I really could care a less about what politician said what. I could care even more less what Sarah Palin has to say about what other politicians say. But Mike, when you start these threads, I'm starting to think you must be the most "politically correct" person in the world. I bet you've never used an insulting word in your life in general conversation. Kudo's buddy.:nope:

 

[Ricky87]

I thought we discussed it before, I have a job, I have to work, and I cannot afford internet at home, so I do not have all the time in the world to respond to threads on the internet. Ill get around to it, but right now I have to go back to paying for other people's dog food and internet.

See you in a while.

And one more thing for ya, I will bring back the other thread, I just haven't had time.

Well, that's never stopped you from starting these threads?..The whole "I was saving a bus full of Nuns" excuse will only work once, and even then we'll expect to see your cape as proof...As for Pruddock 'ignoring' me for my misunderstanding; total cop-out!. It's very easy to sit and discuss the origins of words and their value in society, but unless you have centuries of oppression by use of said word than I must assume you're speaking from your own 'misunderstanding'. We all know words have double-meanings..If you build a volcano for your sons science project and he says "It looks sick!", I doubt you'll send him to his room for trivializing the conditions of those in poor health. We all know when a word is and is not intended to be derogatory..It's not very hard to tell!..Some just like to pretend for whatever reason, which to me is very 'delayed'..

 

[LBoz]

The history and cultural relevance of the 'n' word is totally separate and requires an open mind to discuss..Otherwise it just becomes a group of people speaking on a subject they wish they understood, but to the deepest capacity do not!

I can hardly blame Pruddock for ignoring the above statement. Does one have to be black and oppressed to have the capacity to understand the meaning? I'm part native american. I think it's fair to say that "my" people have had an issue or two with oppression. Since your skin isn't red, does that mean you don't have the mental capacty to discuss it?

As a 22 year old living in New Hampshire, please try to explain (given my limited capacity for understanding) your current oppression?

 

[tyflier]

I thought we discussed it before, I have a job, I have to work, and I cannot afford internet at home, so I do not have all the time in the world to respond to threads on the internet. Ill get around to it, but right now I have to go back to paying for other people's dog food and internet.

As far as I recall, we've never "discussed" anything. You've insinuated, insulted, slandered, and attacked, and I have returned the favor with aplomb. But I don't recall ever having a "discussion" with you. That would require an exchange of ideas and concepts, and that can';t happen when only one of us is actually reading what being typed.

See you in a while.

And one more thing for ya, I will bring back the other thread, I just haven't had time.

Yea, great...I'm looking forward to it. Can't wait to see what else has been made up, cooked up, and tailored to suit your flavor...:nope:

Now...where's that sarcasm font when I need it...

 

[mike17l]

Well, that's never stopped you from starting these threads?..The whole "I was saving a bus full of Nuns" excuse will only work once, and even then we'll expect to see your cape as proof.

I only have about 5 minutes, so I will try to make this brief. Ricky, if you have never had a job where you actually have to work and you have a boss and everything you would not understand the whole concept of reporting to a boss and time constraints and all that, so... Or if you would like I could show you a W2 with my name on it and everything, ever had one of those? a W2? do you even know what one is?

About the comment made by Rhambo, I still think that it is one of many comments that he has made that is uncouth, ill-advised, very obviously politically incorrect. Call any person a "f-ing retard" in front of a parent/sibling/friend/ect of someone who is physically or mentally retarded and see what kind of response you get. The fact that he apologized yesterday is a crock, it took him how many months to make an apology? and it only came after the public found out about the comment? He (Rham) is a piece of trash (not meant to offend any actual pieces of trash).

 

[tyflier]

I only have about 5 minutes, so I will try to make this brief. Ricky, if you have never had a job where you actually have to work and you have a boss and everything you would not understand the whole concept of reporting to a boss and time constraints and all that, so... Or if you would like I could show you a W2 with my name on it and everything, ever had one of those? a W2? do you even know what one is?

About the comment made by Rhambo, I still think that it is one of many comments that he has made that is uncouth, ill-advised, very obviously politically incorrect. Call any person a "f-ing retard" in front of a parent/sibling/friend/ect of someone who is physically or mentally retarded and see what kind of response you get. The fact that he apologized yesterday is a crock, it took him how many months to make an apology? and it only came after the public found out about the comment? He (Rham) is a piece of trash (not meant to offend any actual pieces of trash).

So it is safe to assume that you have never uttered a single, solitary insult about any individual, publicly, or in private, or(as in this case) privately in public, right?

I mean afterall...anyone with THIS much conviction, righteousness, and self-appointed, martyr-quality anger certainly couldn't possibly be guilty of ever having offended anyone, ever before, or since, and they never will, right?

Riiiiight...

You're a real piece of...work. Mr. High and Mighty. Above all else, thou art righteous.:nope:

You know what I think is a crock? You and your feigned anger over the situation. You see an opportunity to stir the pot, and nothing more. Face it, you chose this particular topic specifically because I chose to use the word earlier. If a politician had sarcastically offered that an individual could kill themself as an alternative to distasteful options offered, I'm quite certain you would have chosen THAT as your topic, rather than this. MUCH more impactive, eh?

:flames:Try harder:flames: