tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post4191487026046596289..comments2023-10-21T06:18:41.537-05:00Comments on Fighting Monsters with Rubber Swords: Just a Word: Election EditionRobert Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-27589859078000008222012-10-26T09:02:07.237-05:002012-10-26T09:02:07.237-05:00Rob for President! (Or Prime Minister, preferably....Rob for President! (Or Prime Minister, preferably. We could use you in England. We don't have as overtly crass and disablist political commentators per se (it's usually 'comedians') but our politics is becoming increasingly demeaning of disabled people (my word preference as one, feel free to substitute 'people with disabilities'.) Definitely sharing, and thank you for writing.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14695974187979507114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-48883398083461734552012-10-26T08:56:41.106-05:002012-10-26T08:56:41.106-05:00Rob for President! (or Prime Minister preferably, ...Rob for President! (or Prime Minister preferably, we could use you in England!) Sharing this post if that's OK.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14695974187979507114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-29478871705986209012012-10-25T20:16:32.758-05:002012-10-25T20:16:32.758-05:00Rob, your words are amazing. As always. Rob, your words are amazing. As always. Mohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10083710958029714414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-15225187778366442922012-10-25T13:02:55.684-05:002012-10-25T13:02:55.684-05:00Well said. I don't get Coulter. Wait no, I get...Well said. I don't get Coulter. Wait no, I get Coulter, I don't get why people watch her on purpose.Sarah, Goon Squad Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12281098822701795940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-62965783911449836432012-10-24T18:26:00.017-05:002012-10-24T18:26:00.017-05:00Red Shoes, I am so sorry it's so hard for you ...Red Shoes, I am so sorry it's so hard for you not to be an offensive jerk. May I suggest a thesaurus? Kithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06161226699335370868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-35390419015799855382012-10-24T18:16:38.238-05:002012-10-24T18:16:38.238-05:00It was actually Paddy Chayefsky who took the Lord&...It was actually Paddy Chayefsky who took the Lord's name in vain, in the script of <i>Network</i>; this author simply quoted him. This author's own use of the word God--"As citizens of the world and children of God, we have a choice to make..." strikes me as sincere and not at all blasphemous. I think both uses are appropriate in this touching and thought-provoking postChris Burdetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654623285089026178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-40010999639637620752012-10-24T18:11:54.586-05:002012-10-24T18:11:54.586-05:00As has yours...As has yours...Red Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14878790801044926555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-5075240200935346632012-10-24T17:58:52.162-05:002012-10-24T17:58:52.162-05:00But for crying outloud people, get over it. Stop s...<i>But for crying outloud people, get over it. Stop sitting on the edge of your seats just waiting for someone to say or do something that YOU consider inappropriate.</i><br /><br />But this doesn't apply to my use of the word "God"? The one thing that offends you is the one exception to your entire point?<br /><br />I'm going to respectfully suggest that I'm not the one whose point has been extremely lessened. Or entirely negated, for that matter.Robert Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-46998158738608253242012-10-24T17:51:24.830-05:002012-10-24T17:51:24.830-05:00I am also offended that you took the name of God i...I am also offended that you took the name of God in vain. You didn't have to do that to get your point across but it was a choice you made that extremely lessened the impact of the point you were trying to get across.<br /><br />I am pleasantly plump but I am extremely offended and angry when I hear the word "fat". Yes, even when reading food labels that say "Total fat" (trans fat, sat fat, etc.) <br /><br />I have a group of friends that are not the same color as me. They are offended when they hear the word "black". Yes even in the description section on a box of new shoes.<br /><br />I know a few people with light colored hair that are offended by the word "blonde".<br /><br />There is a man with no hair who is offended by the word "bald".<br /><br />I have aged and so has my hair, but don't call it "gray" unless you want to hurt my feelings.<br /><br />In my 60's, I am not "old", "older" and will never be a senior citizen. Please don't refer to me that way.<br /><br />I have two lady friends that love each other romantically and live together. They are offended by the words "gay" or "lesbian".<br /><br />And the word "disabled" now has also become inappropriate.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I am not supporting or agreeing with anything this Ann Coulter you are talking about has said. I don't even know who she is. I believe any words said out of hatred or with the purpose to hurt someone should never be allowed or considered in any situation as appropriate.<br /><br />But for crying outloud people, get over it. Stop sitting on the edge of your seats just waiting for someone to say or do something that YOU consider inappropriate.<br /><br />I am sorry you are so mad that your child is different from other children. But we are all different, so what's the big deal?<br /><br />This country grew up advocating for and helping those that we were taught were mentally retarded or had been diagnosed with mental rtardation. Trust me, at my age and having heard that my entire life without knowing any better or that it would offend anyone, I would never say it to hurt any one single precious life. Also comes to mind now as I think back, is the word "crippled". Is that appropriate now or not?<br /><br />Did you ever stop to think that maybe when you are out in public and people just look and don't say anything it might be because they are afraid that whatever they might say would be taken the wrong way? That you might offend them?<br /><br />That's all I have. I do wish you would rethink using God's name in vain. Whatever situation you are in, the children and family you have, your friends, co-workers....He gave them all to you. He BLESSED you with them! Be thankful. Live. And let live.Red Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14878790801044926555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-70242915571366547632012-10-24T11:43:28.618-05:002012-10-24T11:43:28.618-05:00Becca. Your thought would be true if cancer were t...Becca. Your thought would be true if cancer were the only things described in stages, so that the word "stages" could only mean "cancer." But this is simply unture.Lots of disease are described in "stages" not just cancer (alzheimers disease for example).Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831580101168618303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-35287770390317768912012-10-24T11:36:27.984-05:002012-10-24T11:36:27.984-05:00Brilliant. I too have a Sky, mine is Skylar. Ble...Brilliant. I too have a Sky, mine is Skylar. Blessings to you and yours.Theresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08071740989565033354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-22099577409121141152012-10-24T10:18:10.090-05:002012-10-24T10:18:10.090-05:00Perfect. Spreading this entry as much as I can.Perfect. Spreading this entry as much as I can.Bev Sykeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16794928133704720689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-40282810758458296862012-10-24T10:01:32.409-05:002012-10-24T10:01:32.409-05:00Who are you playing devil's advocate to? Read ...Who are you playing devil's advocate to? Read again. I never said a word about limiting free speech or disallowing any speech. Free speech is alive and well in this country.Robert Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-37215950323217338262012-10-24T09:19:39.425-05:002012-10-24T09:19:39.425-05:00I'm going to play devil's advocate b/c I l...I'm going to play devil's advocate b/c I live in a country where freedom of speech has become a joke and where everything and anything that is a non-PC/extremely left winged thought can get you fined by the Human Rights Tribunal. Where freedom of speech is now before the Supreme Court and we wait for an official ruling on what is or is not "hate" speech.<br /><br />Truth of the matter is... I'd rather allow those comments than disallow them. I don't have to like them and I can say so - politely. But the alternative becomes a world without ideas, without opinions, one of frustration and even more ignorance. Yes... even more ignorance... people love to do what they are told they shouldn't and not just teenagers.<br /><br />I know many people think the internet is the be all and end all. That all opinions and interactions are on the net. Truth is, it's not. True acceptance begins at home, in your local community, in your local pool, grocery store and the family restaurant. If you want to stop such words being used... that's where you start. I take my kids with me all the time, everywhere, even the youngest (severe ASD) is currently in private swimming lessons (noise is a huge issue) and we're planning on returning to piano lessons in the future. I'm amazed at how many parents do not take their children out into the world. How few disabled people are out in public... we go everywhere. How can acceptance happen, without the disabled being part of a community??<br /><br />Start at home, become part of the community and views about the disabled will change and such comments will be ignored more and more often.farmwifetwohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02680758336779501712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-45414525972005078032012-10-24T09:03:06.461-05:002012-10-24T09:03:06.461-05:00Annie--She was referring to the "Stage 3"...Annie--She was referring to the "Stage 3" part of it. Cancer's described in stages.<br /><br />I suppose the campaign could've gone with "Grade 3" gotten called out for offending concussion sufferers.Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08586815095766277584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-30241786850247186622012-10-24T08:12:34.826-05:002012-10-24T08:12:34.826-05:00Fabulous Rob. Thank you.Fabulous Rob. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-3654639788263263472012-10-24T07:50:37.931-05:002012-10-24T07:50:37.931-05:00Yes. Yes. And yes, my friend. All of it. Yes. Yes. And yes, my friend. All of it. Julia Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14581060084034900061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-78006035009970960642012-10-24T07:12:23.345-05:002012-10-24T07:12:23.345-05:00Can we point out that "amnesia" has noth...Can we point out that "amnesia" has nothing to do with Cancer? So Coulter's "ha you made fun of cancer" theory makes zero sense. <br /><br />I guess she is certainly proving that SHE lacks intelligence!Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831580101168618303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-52145235887462615122012-10-24T06:21:31.418-05:002012-10-24T06:21:31.418-05:00Bravo! You nailed it.Bravo! You nailed it.Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05377137120590834662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-77658427096598639052012-10-24T06:20:42.525-05:002012-10-24T06:20:42.525-05:00It's more than a label. Much much more. Having...It's more than a label. Much much more. Having said that, I have less of a problem with a fictional character using the term, especially if it helps paint the character as intolerant, than I do with your own description of the character as retarded. <br /><br />But again, these are the choices that we make every day. What matters most is that you own that choice and understand what it really means, both for the people whom you're describing and the way the world will view you for using it.Robert Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15462451435441751837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-42107408969828160912012-10-24T05:47:35.962-05:002012-10-24T05:47:35.962-05:00Hm-m-m. In the midst of planning for NaNoWriMo I f...Hm-m-m. In the midst of planning for NaNoWriMo I found that I had a minor character lurking in the background who's retarded and decided a few days ago to actually use the word "retarded" and "retard" in name-calling incidents. It's a "label" that's all. No better, no worse than all the "redneck" "Bible-thumper" "bitter-gun-nut-clingers" and "white-trash" thrown about every day in the more "tolerant" circles of Hell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-61170245103015304192012-10-23T23:47:49.775-05:002012-10-23T23:47:49.775-05:00As always, perfect. I linked to it on my own blog ...As always, perfect. I linked to it on my own blog that is burning like a bonfire right now. Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03313726816776097840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-76433238557615770542012-10-23T23:34:00.127-05:002012-10-23T23:34:00.127-05:00I really like this post. But THIS was my favorite ...I really like this post. But THIS was my favorite response to Ann Coulter: <br /><br />http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/an-open-letter-to-ann-coulter/MFA Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11052734298141262385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-64892004255557474172012-10-23T23:21:39.930-05:002012-10-23T23:21:39.930-05:00You, sir, are brilliant.You, sir, are brilliant.CanadianISPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14833063138149277271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22878815.post-63524091633199440772012-10-23T22:52:57.112-05:002012-10-23T22:52:57.112-05:00Whoops, not sure I put in the best link before. T...Whoops, not sure I put in the best link before. Thank you again for another great post!<br /><br />http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com/Roo's Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09113038876901307245noreply@blogger.com