Retard/retarded (caution, there are some rough words in here)

[Merbeast]

Retard:
    Slang: Disparaging.
a.    a mentally retarded person.
b.    a person who is stupid, obtuse, or ineffective in some way: a hopeless social retard.

Retarded:
    characterized by retardation

Retardation:
    slowness or limitation in intellectual understanding and awareness, emotional development, academic progress, etc.

Rahm Emanuel is credited with recently saying called plans by liberal groups to run ads against moderate Democrats "f**king retarded".  It has caused some political backlash with Sarah Palin (who even cares about her anymore?) where she said: “Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the “N-word” or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and the people who love them – is unacceptable, and it’s heartbreaking...”  She even called for Obama to fire Rahm.  Mkay.

I have a problem with taking words and making them taboo.  I suppose someday we won't be able to call people or ideas stupid without some coalition of stupid people calling for our heads.  Is the plan that the liberal groups had to run ads against moderate democrats stupid?  Yes.  Is it retarded?  Hell yes, they obviously were lacking in intellectual understanding and awareness when they came up with the plan.  Hence, the plan is "f**king retarded", and the people who came up with it are retards (in a metaphorical sense). 

I wonder if people will ever learn that banning words doesn't change the minds and attitudes of people.  The word "nigger" has been taboo since the civil rights movements of the 60's, and yet (surprise, surprise!) there are still many people in the world who are racist against blacks.  Hell, look up "synonyms of nigger" on the ol' interwebs and you will see that there are a plethora of words just waiting for their chance to fill in.  The same will be true of "retard".  Instead of calling people retards, we will call them "mentally handicapped"... and so a new slur will be born.  I am sure that Rahm was not intending to insult actual retards, but he was intending to insult the retarded people with their retarded plan to run ads against moderate democrats.

I dunno, maybe I am being retarded, but I have to agree much more with Rush on this one than Olbermann... If someone is acting retarded, call them a retard.  It actually made me laugh that Olbermann said "the 'r' word" instead of "retard" on his show... but, while he often makes good points, he is a bit of a pussy about words (jumping on right-wingers for using metaphors containing the word "earthquake" too soon (too soon?) after the Haiti earthquake, and for Transportation Secretary Roy Lahood for saying he would "hold [Toyota's] feet to the fire" about getting the sticky accelerators fixed). 

Ultimately, I think that SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE will always find ANYTHING said or written to be offensive at least sometimes.  No matter what you do, you are always at risk of someone being offended by you.  Our choice as a society is simple; either we stop communicating lest we hurt someone's feelings, or we let those who get offended throw their temper tantrums and learn to deal with it.  Personally, I figure I'll just let them deal with it.

[Merbeast]

I just noticed that the word "f**k" is bleeped in here... I also find that to be humorous, as everyone who reads it will still say in their heads "f**k" because they know what it means.  That leads me to another point...

I hate it when people say "the 'N' word" or "the 'F' word".  I would much rather have them say "nigger" or "f**k".  Why, you ask?  Simple.  Take some responsibility for what you are saying, don't pass it on to me.  When you say "the 'f' word", I say "f**k" in my head.  You just made me swear.  It's not like I can help it, that's the way our brains work as we seek to understand what is being communicated to us.  So sack up and say what you are saying (if that makes sense). 

[KAM]

I hear ya and agree. Regarding the f**k filter. It's the default filter for the forum.  Adjust never bothered with it.  I find it retarded, because you still know what the word is.  Might as well not filter.   

[SpuTTer]

Yeah, I always wonder why they filter fork, but spoon and knife are fine.

[Merbeast]

Yeah, I always wonder why they filter f**k, but spoon and knife are fine.

There, fixed it for ya.