I missed that show, thanks for sharing a hilarious part of it.
I'd like to say anyone who's OK with Obama and Holte is OK with me, but Emanuel makes that hard to do. I'm not so terribly put off by his use the word "retarded" as by his attitude, which ranges from apparent indifference to outright opposition to things those libs that helped elect Obama feel are essential.
Holte and S.W.: Another one of those I have mixed feelings about. The creep that spilled the beans to the WSJ actually makes me madder about the retarded question. Wonder what's happened to him or her.
JBW: My mentor and best buddy on the blogosphere. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be here.
Vigi: I have a couple of mentally challenged people in my family. While we don't use the term ourselves, we know people who do and we try to understand.
My problem is with people who have used it themselves and then turn around and criticize someone else for using it.
Vigilante beat me to it, Leslie. I have a link to the Stephen Colbert smack-down of the hypocrital Palin over the word "retard." She scolded Emanuel for using it, and then gave a pass to the Hindenberg of Gasbags for using it.
I also have a very poignant letter that I read on Andrew Sullivan's blog reproduced on my blog that was written by a mother of a special needs child. She said what a lot of us thought as we watched Palin use her child as a political prop during the campaign, and then again on her book tour.
I think this skit is hilarious! I know a bigmouth conservative blogger who did a big long ranting post about the word retarded. She thinks its perfectly fine to say and especially loves to use it to describe liberals. Libtards. She's just a loudmouth obnoxious wingtard.
You've become quite the blogging protege, Leslie. A few words on this whole "R-word" discussion (I hate when adults speak like that to other adults): my youngest sister has Down Syndrome. I haven't really used the word "retarded" to describe her condition since the 1980's (I prefer mentally handicapped) but I do think that there is a distinction between saying "retarded" and "retard".
I have friends who sometimes describe things as being "retarded" and I let it slide because I know that they aren't trying to disparage the handicapped by doing so but I take exception to people using the word "retard" because it is obviously a derogatory term.
The closest analogy I can make would be when younger people call something "gay" versus calling someone a "faggot"; one is meant as a universal put down while the other is meant to defame homosexuals. I'm sure there are gay people who would disagree with me on this (probably some mentally handicapped people as well) but I try to make a distinction because I know most people who use the former mean no disrespect.
Emanuel said that Democrats producing attack ads against other more conservative Democrats was "fucking retarded", as in what they were planning was a bad idea. Limbaugh called people "retards", as in people he disagrees with are stupid. I'm the furthest thing from politically correct but I do make a distinction here.
What really bugged me was that Palin, in all of her faux indignation and full on Republican victim mode, said that Emanuel had called people "retards" (which he didn't) yet then absolved Limbaugh for actually saying that by claiming that it was merely satire, as Vigilante mentioned above.
Again, I don't use either term (or "faggot" for that matter, although I do call things "gay" from time to time; sorry) but Palin's public posturing is insulting to my intelligence, especially considering how she allegedly referred to her own special needs child. But what else should we realistically expect from her at this point?
JBW: What's okay for Republicans is not okay for Democrats is what it all boils down to and all their followers turn a blind eye to the facts of the matter. And I think you have made a good distinction between the use of "retard" and "retarded."
It's funny how "gay" has evolved over the years. I used to have a girlfriend named Gay. It was also used to mean happy as in that person is always so gay or what a gay event. I have several gay friends and that is how I refer to them. I don't know why but I don't like the word "homosexual" and detest "faggot."
Thanks JBW and please don't stay away for so long.
I find it interesting that younger generations who now casually use the word "gay" to mean "dorky" are also the most accepting of gay rights. Perhaps that says something. And this has to be the gayest moment from the last Super Bowl. ;-)
Sorry I haven't been around more lately, Leslie. Real life has been keeping me busy. I promise that I'll try harder to make the effort in the future.
JBW: You know I understand. Plus having that exciting chore of moving. Worse than divorce for me. Well, not quite. First I'd have to get married again. Now that is worse than moving.
I think the context of how a word is used is the telling thing of whether it's a put down or satire. Obviously, The big fat gasbag meant it as a put down.
Leslie: THAT was priceless! Those comedy skits can make me pee my pants! I needed a good laugh...thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam and good to see you. I have been laughing ever since.
ReplyDeleteI know Emanuel takes a lot of crap and is not that popular with a lot of Libs., but I like him and I like his aggression.
ReplyDeleteI missed that show, thanks for sharing a hilarious part of it.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to say anyone who's OK with Obama and Holte is OK with me, but Emanuel makes that hard to do. I'm not so terribly put off by his use the word "retarded" as by his attitude, which ranges from apparent indifference to outright opposition to things those libs that helped elect Obama feel are essential.
Thanks for the link, Leslie. You're grainier than I'd imagined.
ReplyDeleteHolte and S.W.: Another one of those I have mixed feelings about. The creep that spilled the beans to the WSJ actually makes me madder about the retarded question. Wonder what's happened to him or her.
ReplyDeleteJBW: My mentor and best buddy on the blogosphere. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't be here.
It turns out I can call anyone I want a fucking retard, because it's just satire, don't cha' know?
ReplyDeleteVigi: I have a couple of mentally challenged people in my family. While we don't use the term ourselves, we know people who do and we try to understand.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is with people who have used it themselves and then turn around and criticize someone else for using it.
Vigilante beat me to it, Leslie. I have a link to the Stephen Colbert smack-down of the hypocrital Palin over the word "retard." She scolded Emanuel for using it, and then gave a pass to the Hindenberg of Gasbags for using it.
ReplyDeleteI also have a very poignant letter that I read on Andrew Sullivan's blog reproduced on my blog that was written by a mother of a special needs child. She said what a lot of us thought as we watched Palin use her child as a political prop during the campaign, and then again on her book tour.
I think this skit is hilarious! I know a bigmouth conservative blogger who did a big long ranting post about the word retarded. She thinks its perfectly fine to say and especially loves to use it to describe liberals. Libtards. She's just a loudmouth obnoxious wingtard.
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that her day will come.
ReplyDeleteYou've become quite the blogging protege, Leslie. A few words on this whole "R-word" discussion (I hate when adults speak like that to other adults): my youngest sister has Down Syndrome. I haven't really used the word "retarded" to describe her condition since the 1980's (I prefer mentally handicapped) but I do think that there is a distinction between saying "retarded" and "retard".
ReplyDeleteI have friends who sometimes describe things as being "retarded" and I let it slide because I know that they aren't trying to disparage the handicapped by doing so but I take exception to people using the word "retard" because it is obviously a derogatory term.
The closest analogy I can make would be when younger people call something "gay" versus calling someone a "faggot"; one is meant as a universal put down while the other is meant to defame homosexuals. I'm sure there are gay people who would disagree with me on this (probably some mentally handicapped people as well) but I try to make a distinction because I know most people who use the former mean no disrespect.
Emanuel said that Democrats producing attack ads against other more conservative Democrats was "fucking retarded", as in what they were planning was a bad idea. Limbaugh called people "retards", as in people he disagrees with are stupid. I'm the furthest thing from politically correct but I do make a distinction here.
What really bugged me was that Palin, in all of her faux indignation and full on Republican victim mode, said that Emanuel had called people "retards" (which he didn't) yet then absolved Limbaugh for actually saying that by claiming that it was merely satire, as Vigilante mentioned above.
Again, I don't use either term (or "faggot" for that matter, although I do call things "gay" from time to time; sorry) but Palin's public posturing is insulting to my intelligence, especially considering how she allegedly referred to her own special needs child. But what else should we realistically expect from her at this point?
JBW: What's okay for Republicans is not okay for Democrats is what it all boils down to and all their followers turn a blind eye to the facts of the matter. And I think you have made a good distinction between the use of "retard" and "retarded."
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how "gay" has evolved over the years. I used to have a girlfriend named Gay. It was also used to mean happy as in that person is always so gay or what a gay event. I have several gay friends and that is how I refer to them. I don't know why but I don't like the word "homosexual" and detest "faggot."
Thanks JBW and please don't stay away for so long.
I find it interesting that younger generations who now casually use the word "gay" to mean "dorky" are also the most accepting of gay rights. Perhaps that says something. And this has to be the gayest moment from the last Super Bowl. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been around more lately, Leslie. Real life has been keeping me busy. I promise that I'll try harder to make the effort in the future.
JBW: You know I understand. Plus having that exciting chore of moving. Worse than divorce for me. Well, not quite. First I'd have to get married again. Now that is worse than moving.
ReplyDeleteGetting married again or moving.Hmmmmm.Got to get back to you on that one.
ReplyDeleteI was told once that the top three stressers in life are (in order): death, divorce, moving.
ReplyDeleteHypocrisey, thy name is Palin.
ReplyDeleteI think the context of how a word is used is the telling thing of whether it's a put down or satire. Obviously, The big fat gasbag meant it as a put down.
I just posted a video from this morning's press briefing where Gibbs has written on his palm. Funny.
ReplyDelete