Please stop using "Retarded"

[ericd]

Spend a day helping out at Special Olympics instead.

[Michael Davis]

You're a retard.

-Michael

[ericd]

I guess I shouldn't be stunned by a response such as this but nonetheless I am.

[Michael Davis]

This response was, again, retarded.

Seriously, your post is utterly pointless. I am not opposed to helping Special Olympics, but I see no reason to post it here, and no reason to associate improper uses of the word "retarded" with giving money to Special Olympics.

If you have a point to make about the use of the word, then make it, but don't come at me spouting some crap about giving money to anyone. The fact that I enjoy using dollar bills as toilet paper over giving money to your cause has nothing to do with this forum.

-Michael

P.S. And, you're a retard.

[ericd]

Nowhere did I mention money. What I did was:

1. Ask that people stop using the word retarded the way they do in these forums.

2. I suggested that they might give some of their time to help at Special Olympics. I thought this might give them pause for throwing the word retarded around in the manner they do.

[Andy B]

I find that people frequently use "gay" in an inappropriate manner as well. I suggest that such people spend some time hanging out in gay bars.

[Dominic]

re·tard·ed
Pronunciation: ri-'tärd-&d
Function: adjective
: slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development : characterized by mental retardation


Nothing wrong with using this word to describe less than optimal poker play, or a thought process that is illogical and stupid.

It's apt, descriptive and colorful.

[daryn]

wow, what a flame fest out of nowhere!

spontaneous combustion if you will.

[Homer]

He's saying we shouldn't use the term "retard" as a putdown. We should show some consideration for people who actually suffer from mental retardation. They can't help the state they are in, and their condition should not be used to insult non-retarded people who are slow to understand something, say something stupid, etc. I don't see anything in his post that should make you think he wants us to give money to the Special Olympics. He's just saying that maybe if we volunteered for the Special Olympics, we would gain some perspective and would understand why using the term "retard" to insult people is uncalled for.

I think his message is simple and easy to understand. I think your responses were distasteful.

-- Homer

[ericd]

Thank you.