You mean kinda like the way Shell Shock became Post Traumatic Stress Disorder???

Heaven knows this country needs to " soften " everything so no one gets offended.

My Mom talked about boys/men who came home from WWII, "They were different, never the same, you know......"

where have you been all my life????




So good to see other people get sick of the drivel, and the garbage...



As to the OP....it's a word.... just like these one's on the page...

get rid of the INTENT behind the word, and we'll talk.

I have informed my 14 yr old that that is not an acceptable term to use in my presence.

George Carlin did a great routine about the softening of words. In the case of the ones I mentioned, it was part of his show, but it was a serious statement on his part.

banning words is just retarded

We can't change words... But we sure can change compassion! I am the parent of a mentally impaired person. I have worked with several impaired people, and let me tell you... They do NOT like being called retard at all. We all should think before we speak! Because words CAN and DO hurt. I don't think its a matter of candy coating this world. It ia a matter of respect for your fellow humane being and a matter of manners. MO

next they'll be wanting to take the word Boobs out of people's vocabulary

Right on, MsTeddy

Ya know, Mikey is one of the sweetest guys here, he works with the Special Olympics. If he is telling you the word 'retard' or 'retarded' is offensive to those folks, you can pretty much take him at his word.

We actually cannot change words, I am not even sure we can change just human decency and compassion, but this is Mikey's effort do so, and while I may think he is fighting a losing batttle in those caught up in freedom of speech and whatever inane aliby they have to justify using inflammatory terms.... I applaud his efforts.

**edit**

Simply put...Beautifully done

Mark,

I understand why you edited my post. Doesn't that exactly make the point here? Or am I free to call anbody I want a retard?

Mikey is not the worlds authority on the mentally handicapped. There is no reason why we should follow his beliefs. It doesnt matter that he happens to be a sweet guy, im not quite sure why people think that accounts for anything. Thats been said a few times now.

I dont believe one single person has said it is ok to call them retards. What most of us have been arguing is that the word retarded has other meanings and uses as well.

Personally, i like to use the word in its derogatory sense as well. Though of course not viciously towards anyone that is affected by it. There is humour in it, regardless of whether you personally agree. If i call someone a retard in jest, and they find it funny, then where is the harm? Ok, so if it has been said in the forums it can be read my someone who finds it offensive. But freedom of speech is the issue to, because you cant just stop the use of one word, you stop one you gotta stop lots. If people are offended by such trivial things they must get offended every single time they walk through the streets, or turn on the tv, or listen to the radio. Maybe they should isolate themselves from society.

Actually, I have argued the word has other meanings, but used derogatorily....offensively...what else would you expect than people are going to be offended?

Freedom of speech is one thing, carte blanche to say whatever the he!! you want to say to folks and expect them not to be offended is rather unreasonable.

I'm not sure that asking these folks to isolate themselves from society is the answer either, aren't they already strapped with limitations? Why is it so unreasonable to ask that people to police themselves out of common decency..respect....honor of another human being's battle?

What is derogatory and what is humourous depends on the individual. I normally intend humour and not insult, so i dont really understand why people would take it so seriously. Its just a word.

Even if i used it in a slightly more serious sense. Say i told you that i think your opinions are retarded? (Which of course i dont!). How does that in any way refer to the handicapped? Its like saying you dont like eating oranges and the colour gets offended.

Being respectful is one thing, trying not to be offensive to everybody is another. We all have different backgrounds and cultures, and what is acceptible varies. At the end of the day, People will continue to use the term anyway, so its not about people stopping the use of the word its about people learning to live with it(or learning to live with being offended from time to time).

For me, it's about looking at things from their perspective...walk a mile in my shoes in other words.....you cannot possibly know how your words effect me otherwise, until then....common courtesy, decency, respect, honor for another's battles.

Heck I can't even say my ABCs without offending someone, getting snitched out and suspended.

If the political correctness keeps up we will all die from stupidity so we won't have to worry about offending anyone.

I understand your point, lilbug, and i do give thought to what is and isnt offensive. Although i do push the boundaries for the benefit of humour. Mikey pretty much ruined his credibility though when he called me stupid, Which is a synonym for retarded.