Something that has happened (not hypothetical)

[LBoz]

LMAO! They'd have been elected for sure!!!

 

[Shiari]

Meh. Tina Fey is prettier.

 

[mike17l]

Do you mean Boer? Personally, I just like pygmys. Nothing like a sweet little wether pygmy.

Yes sorry that is what I meant. :spinner:

 

[LBoz]

Where's Tim with his pandas?

 

[mike17l]

That takes a political discussion to a completely new level. There is no doubt in my mind that most politicians are just criminals with good grades, and rich breeding. No matter WHICH Political Party they associate with... But then again...so are most big business men...

Whats funny about this, is that the socialist in question is none of these, except maybe a criminal.

 

[medusacoils]

retarded tends to now describe someone who makes a particularly foolish decision especially when they know better.

This is your definition, not mine.

Maybe I should start creating my own definitions of other derogatory words, using them in "funny" contexts and be appalled when people are offended by it?

And BTW, I don't see how the whole "white" analogy compares. White wasn't or isn't considered derogatory by any stretch of the language. OR How does it feel to have some one talk to you like that, regardless of their intent?

Wayne

retarded
- 8 dictionary results
re⋅tard⋅ed
  /rɪˈtɑrdɪd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-tahr-did] Show IPA
–adjective
1. characterized by retardation: a retarded child.
–noun
2. (used with a plural verb) mentally retarded persons collectively (usually prec. by the): new schools for the retarded.
Use retarded in a Sentence
See images of retarded
Search retarded on the Web
Origin:
1800–10; retard + -ed 2

Synonyms:
backward, disabled, handicapped.
re⋅tard
  /rɪˈtɑrd, for 1–3, 5; ˈritɑrd for 4/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-tahrd, for 1–3, 5; ree-tahrd for 4] Show IPA
–verb (used with object)
1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.
–verb (used without object)
2. to be delayed.
–noun
3. a slowing down, diminution, or hindrance, as in a machine.
4. Slang: Disparaging.
a. a mentally retarded person.
b. a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.
5. Automotive, Machinery. an adjustment made in the setting of the distributor of an internal-combustion engine so that the spark for ignition in each cylinder is generated later in the cycle.

 

[medusacoils]

I'm not debating this issue. This is black and white to me. I AM OFFENDED by any use of that word or any derogatory word, regardless of the context. AND, How dare anyone tell me I'm wrong to feel otherwise!

Please!?!?!

Wayne

 

[wade]

Wayne I think you nailed it there. You have every right to be offended by what ever word you choose. It is difficult to find any word that won’t offend someone.

I think what is really important is not the word itself but the intent of the speaker. If the speaker intended to offend people with learning disabilities then that is something quite different. If he had used the word stupid instead it would have offended all the stupid. If he had said pretty it would have offended my wife.

The guy may be rude, or lacking tact, or unthinking in his choice of words. I don’t think he was talking to retarded people. How angry do you want to get about something a rude person said. How much of your life do you want to donate to that anger?

 

[LBoz]

I'm not debating this issue. This is black and white to me. I AM OFFENDED by any use of that word or any derogatory word, regardless of the context. AND, How dare anyone tell me I'm wrong to feel otherwise!

Please!?!?!

Wayne

I think you're awesome, and also that you and Christine are obviously very loving parents. There are certain words that each of us find offensive for a variety of reasons. Personally, I cringe at the word "lumpy." Seems like a silly word to be affected by, right? But to me, it carries much shame. There was a girl in my older brother's class. She had an odd shaped head and everyone called her Lumpy. I picked it up from my brother, and wanting to be cool, I would scream it from the bus window every chance I could. Once I went to college and realized this poor girl was a hydrocephalic, I was so deeply ashamed of myself. She's no longer living, and I can't tell her how sorry I am. My brother is no longer living either, so I can't even pummel him for his own behavior.

The point is, we all have issues with words. Some more than others, but I think the majority of responses here show that we're all pretty cognizant of the fact that you don't abuse them, and you at least try to use tact when you're speaking in a room full of people.

 

[medusacoils]

Wayne I think you nailed it there. You have every right to be offended by what ever word you choose. It is difficult to find any word that won’t offend someone.

I think what is really important is not the word itself but the intent of the speaker. If the speaker intended to offend people with learning disabilities then that is something quite different. If he had used the word stupid instead it would have offended all the stupid. If he had said pretty it would have offended my wife.

The guy may be rude, or lacking tact, or unthinking in his choice of words. I don’t think he was talking to retarded people. How angry do you want to get about something a rude person said. How much of your life do you want to donate to that anger?

I'm not angry, just put off by the fact that I'm being told that my feelings are unfounded.

Wayne

 

[medusacoils]

Personally, I cringe at the word "lumpy."

Well, if I ever have the opportunity to meet you, then I guess I won't bring my friend, LUMPY! Yes, that is his nickname. His last name is Lombaird. When another friend of mines child tried to say it, it came out as Lumpy, then stuck. He's been called that for years.

Wayne

 

[LBoz]

Well, if I ever have the opportunity to meet you, then I guess I won't bring my friend, LUMPY! Yes, that is his nickname. His last name is Lombaird. When another friend of mines child tried to say it, it came out as Lumpy, then stuck. He's been called that for years.

Wayne

My face would turn 20 shades of purple if I called him that! :laugh:

 

[Shiari]

I never said they were unfounded. You have every right to find it offensive. It is something that touches you personally, and thus knowing that, I won't use it around you. Simple.

However, I in turn find "White wasn't or isn't considered derogatory by any stretch of the language. " to be offensive towards me and the racism I experienced over several months. I have an african american supervisor. He told me that as a child, despite having a white mother, he was *taught* to be *afraid* of white people. That the white folks would always be out to get him. That they were untrustworthy. To this day he won't go near the controlled substances at work because, and I quote, "I'm the only black man here."

He has told me to my face that there are things I can't understand because I'm white.

That isn't derogatory? What language are you speaking, praytell? And yes, nice dictionary quote you've pulled there. However, languages change word meanings over time. Twit is derogatory now... but wasn't until the 1920. Before that it was a verb that described being derogatory towards someone else! Or it was a weak place in a piece of yarn. Or to be excited over something. Language is the least static part of any culture.

 

[KJUN]

I like the milk production of a Nubian, but prefer the meat production of a boer, which do you breed?

I would guess that some people like the Spanish goats the best since they do so well on natural forage where they even run relatively wild. Not the best for actually producing anything of value, but they often get the least effort put into them by the ones trying to raise them.

 

[medusacoils]

I never said they were unfounded. You have every right to find it offensive. It is something that touches you personally, and thus knowing that, I won't use it around you. Simple.

However, I in turn find "White wasn't or isn't considered derogatory by any stretch of the language. " to be offensive towards me and the racism I experienced over several months. I have an african american supervisor. He told me that as a child, despite having a white mother, he was *taught* to be *afraid* of white people. That the white folks would always be out to get him. That they were untrustworthy. To this day he won't go near the controlled substances at work because, and I quote, "I'm the only black man here."

He has told me to my face that there are things I can't understand because I'm white.

That isn't derogatory? What language are you speaking, praytell? And yes, nice dictionary quote you've pulled there. However, languages change word meanings over time. Twit is derogatory now... but wasn't until the 1920. Before that it was a verb that described being derogatory towards someone else! Or it was a weak place in a piece of yarn. Or to be excited over something. Language is the least static part of any culture.

It's too bad that things aren't simple. Just like your analogy was lost on me, mine was lost on you. Probably a generation gap? :shrugs: I wasn't around in the 20'S.

Wayne

 

[medusacoils]

What language are you speaking, praytell?

BTW, before you criticize my butchering of the English language, proofread what you write before you post!

but wasn't until the 1920.

Thanks and have a nice day!!

Wayne

 

[Shiari]

Oh yes. 6 years. A huge generation gap. How will we ever surmount the difference?

"Retard" was original a simple descriptor. We still use things that retard bacterial growth. Originally not an insult. So, white is not normally an insult, and once upon a time "retard" was not an insult. It then, *later* began to be used that way. Just as I've lately been seeing "white" be used with racist undertones. Most of the time, the sheer hypocrisy of its use amuses. However, because I, little white 27 year old female me, *have* had an admittedly relatively minor brush with racism (and was actually physically threatened by the sex-boy-toy of the racist roomate), I can understand to a degree how it feels to be reduced to nothing more than a word.

However, I am not getting up in arms over the fact that my walls are painted white, that "white" appears on forms, nor that people say I'm "white". Because, again, it's all in the *context*.

*Edit*

OMG OH NOERS! I forgot an s and typed so fast a space didn't make it in there. Yup. End of the world. Completely shot me to hell right there. Astounding.

Pointless reply was super effective! Shiari has fainted from the intellectual prowess!


I apologise. I had originally thought I was trying to hold a conversation with you so that we could reach a mutual understanding of each other, even if we don't entirely agree about a concept. Apparently that was too much to expect.

 

[medusacoils]

I apologise. I had originally thought I was trying to hold a conversation with you so that we could reach a mutual understanding of each other, even if we don't entirely agree about a concept. Apparently that was too much to expect.

Do you feel empowered by this statement? I was merely expressing a feeling, regarding a word, that regardless of it's content in conversation, has derogatory undertones. You on the other hand, feel the need to bring it to a whole new level. It's funny that YOU should write that statement!

I'm done!

Wayne

 

[Shiari]

Do you feel empowered by this statement? I was merely expressing a feeling, regarding a word, that regardless of it's content in conversation, has derogatory undertones. You on the other hand, feel the need to bring it to a whole new level. It's funny that YOU should write that statement!

I'm done!

Wayne

Simply trying to show how words and their usage changes over times, how things once not derogatory become so... and then cease to be quite so derogatory once again. Donkey vs. Jerk vs. rear end.

And empowered? Of course not. Did you feel empowered by pointing out a couple simple typos I made? I doubt you did.

 

[ComoxCorn]

I'm amazed by how long this thread is getting over one word. Whether or not it offends you has really become a moot point in this thread. Because as pointed out, your Constitution allows for freedom of speech, and unfortunately, ever spoken word, no matter who says it is not going to please everyone. It amazes me beyond words that a few of those who seem offended by the use of that word have little difficulty doling out insults in this thread, which, some people may find offensive. This is hypocricy at its finest.
Honestly, I thought America had bigger problems than the political correctness of the word retard. No wonder things just aren't getting done down south of the border.