dude i worked in a developmental facility for 4 years...they call themselves retards...if they arent light about theur condition then they are miserable...chill

I have to say, I don't know anyone with that kind of issue but I still find it offensive. And yes, so I'm not the pot calling the calling black here, when I was young, stupid, thoughtless and much, much crueler, I did and said things like that. For that, all I can do is make it right if possible and move on. And hopefully learn from it.

Nothing wrong with having a little joke amongst friends. But, it is a hurtful subject for many and when you take it public, you run the risk of being called out for your cruelty and your stupidity.

That is different than US calling them that, WE should (and SOME of us do) know better!!!!

Ok first off, if you even knew Mikey a little you would know that he is the type of man that has never and will never make a comment that is out of line or called anyone a name in his life.

Second off it seems that it is ok for your to express your opinions but when someone expresses an opinion different then yours all hell seems to break loose. The disagreement never seems to stay between the two orginal people involved, others feel the need to almost gang up on the person that has a problem with what you say.

The more threads on the topic are posted just to verify that you think you are correct. It is possible to be civil and take in to consideration other peoples opinions and feelings and still not agree on a point of view without being rude and crude to one another.

why because its politically incorrect...they want to be see as individuals, treated like normal people...not looked at as a disability and to be able to joke with them made the job...not be super uptight...they need fun and hard times like we do...i never once felt like i was making fun of them...its just a word and TRUST me they get a lot more than you think...i had a co worker that tried to get me fired for saying that...then my client came in calling people names cause he knew that i wasnt being mean to him...its all about respect...and tell me you havnt called someone a name as a joke...

bye bye thread that was posted in humour

Then U of all people should help take a stand against it , I vollenteer for the special olympics and to see the joy in their eyes is incredible and I WILL not let some mo**ons make a joke about someone that cannot defend themselves!!! Whats next on their agenda, making fun of breast cancer patients, now that would REALLY be funny!!!!

Funny U are the only 3 that find it remotely funny

I don't disagree that they, like everyone, need to be seen as individuals. But, there is a negative connotation to the word retard (and other such words). It may be just a word but words do just as much harm, if not more sometimes, as physical blows. How someone chooses to refer to themselves is one thing, they are free to do so. And for you to call an individual who's chosen that description for him/herself, is perfectly fine. But, for everyone to use a blanket term to describe an entire group of people is stereotypical and wrong. There'd be an uproar here if I used the "n" word, now wouldn't there? No matter that it's the word my best friend uses to describe himself, 95% of the people here would take great offense to its use, and understandably so. And while that's an extreme example, I know, the situation does fall into the same category.

i guess because i know two of the people involved on a personal and real-life level, i know their intent and i am absolutely sure that it was purely in poking fun at one another and no insult, to anyone, especially mentally and/or physically challenged persons, was meant in the least.

i guess the dynamics that some of us had, together on another site, hasn't had time to flow through onto this site and no one knows who is kidding around, and who isn't.

i've seen comments, other than these, that might have (and have) offended me. but i've chosen mostly to sit back and watch those people, and their interaction with others, and eventually (not at first glance) i'll place judgment on them as to whether i think they are a turd, or whether they have the respect of others with whom they've become close.

I just DO NOT see anything remotely funny about making fun of others, no matter who they are, and I dont find torture of animals in my top 10 humorous list either, it is just called common sense and courtousy to others, and MOST people that have lasted on here do just that, the bad eggs are usually weeded out quickly!!!!

Not to mention the fact that we are all adults and the junior high mentality should have been left at the door of junior high.

Again, it's one thing to joke with friends, to have inside jokes, but deliberate cruelness is wrong. There's a reason for "political correctness", it's just another term for having good manners and thinking about the feelings of others.

that is exactly what was happening

anyway i'm done. it's like beating a dead horse (excuse the animal cruelty pun). ya'll carry on this topic without me

I agree, this just shows why we need P.C. in our lives, some people just were not brought up with basic respect for others and have to be taught manners as an adult!!!

then keep your 'inside" jokes inside your little group and all will be fine!!!!

unfortunately there is no Constitutional guarantee to a freedom from being offended

personallyl I dont like retarded either. But when my 27 year old Down Syndrome step son called me retarded it made me laugh

some people just need to lighten up

but if you were out in public with your step son and someone called him a retard you would be offended for him and most likely say something to the person that called him a retard.

I dont believe that is what happened in this thread

I dont know how i missed this cracker of a thread.

Our testimonials were meant in fun, me and Rick know eachother well and have met in person. What he actually said was 'social retard', it is an expression and doesnt refer in the slightest to mentally handicap people, so you are complaining about nothing, Mikey. However it is your right to whine, and ours not to care.

But would U have liked it if someone U didnt know called your son that ? I can see what U are saying, but that was a personal thing between U and your son, people should not group them into a stereotypical block and think it will not offend many people!!! I just feel we have to speak up for those who cant speak for themselves!!!