Aug 13 2008
You Can’t Say Retard Anymore
A comedy-action movie opening in theaters today has outraged groups representing those with mental disabilities for what they call the gratuitous use of the word “retard.”
“Tropic Thunder” follows a group of prima donna actors filming a Vietnam War “Platoon”-like movie that gets tangled up in real warfare with a paramilitary gang.
The satire spoofs the film industry about the lengths actors will go through to advance their careers. It stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr.
Officials with Special Olympics of South Carolina and local relatives of people with Down syndrome say the “R” word is just as demeaning as the “N” word and should not be perpetuated as OK by the Hollywood film industry.
First of all, the word retard is not even in the same league as nigger. Such a comparison is preposterous. Case closed.
Secondly, if you are offended by people in a movie calling each other retards then don’t go see the movie. It’s really that simple. Yes, making fun of retarded people is childish and stupid and I have a great deal of respect for people who raise and take care of retarded family members, but we have the right to be childish and stupid in this country. We don’t need another special interest group acting as a politically correct censor in our lives.
These retards are retarded. Any retard who actually sees the retarded movie can see that all the retarded movie does is make fun of retarded actors chasing retarded acting awards by portraying retards (ie. That retard Sean Penn in that retarded “I Am Sam” movie). It’s a retarded satire, retards.
Also, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard, retard.
Let’s see the retarded Word & Thought Police have fun with that. Retards.
To those of us with loved ones who are intellectually disabled, the “r” word is exactly the same as the “n” word and those who use it, especially on purpose, are simply demonstrating their insensitivity, lack of vocabulary skills, and basic ignorance.