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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21639 Posts |
 Posted - 06/26/2008 : 20:06:13
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to preface my request, surely nobody here believes that i am politically correct in any way. this isnt about being politically correct. this is about common decency and respect for others not blessed with many of the things we take for granted.
lately ive noticed many less than nice references to retarded people and using the word "retard" in a derogatory manner. if you say that someone who is mentally handicapped is retarded you are accurate. if you call someone (who is not mentally handicapped) doing something dumb a "retard" you are being derogatory towards a very special group of folks who exhibit far more heart than those of us blessed with normal mental capabilities.
i realize nothing is meant to hurt anyone and i know that sometimes you can take good intent too far but i dont think thats what im doing here. i just hate cringing every time i read the word "retard" in reference to someone not mentally challenged.
this isnt a policy change, just a simple respectful request. please be aware that there very well may be parents reading this board who have special children, and my heart goes out to each and every one of them. in comparison, its extremely easy to raise healthy children. its those folks raising special children (instead of dumping them off in a hospital) that really have my absolute respect and admiration and i dont want this forum to serve as a joke at their expense.
thanks, |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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Presspass
Armed & Dangerous
USA
9044 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2008 : 20:16:56
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| Good point, Nathan. |
You can't fix stupid, but you can slap the crap out of it. |
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nhlevergun
Average Member
USA
633 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2008 : 20:20:19
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| Well said Nathan. I am a special education teacher and nothing makes me more upset then when a person uses language that they themselves do not understand. The term you refer to has landed me in my son's principals office because of an altercation defending a student with down syndrome. I couldn't have been more proud of him! |
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Geoff
Advanced Member
USA
5360 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2008 : 20:23:42
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Absolutely correct, If you use that job on the ambulance service where I work YOUR FIRED no questions asked
Totally inappropriate
Thank you Nathan for stepping up |
NRA Basic Pistol Instructor, Gun Collector, Hunter, Sportsman, and EDUCATED VOTER lol
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed"
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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21639 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 00:07:05
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quote:
Originally posted by Kalifornia
it makes me less likely to post in the future if I need to run my sense of humor through a PC or "Nathan's common decency" filter before doing so.
c'mon its not like that. there is absolutely nothing politically correct about me. there are very few things i cannot find humor in....but unlike most groups who choose to be the way they are (for example, you said you were both fat and an attorney, both of which you chose to be), mentally handicapped people didnt choose to become that way.
im not preaching to anyone and im not trying to exhalt myself by doing a good deed....this is just a sore spot with me for very personal reasons and i would hope that reasonable men could find something else to joke about.
again, its not a policy change. im simply asking nicely. pretty please. |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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bumble
Average Member
771 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 09:39:52
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well, im guilty of this, hopefully though i havent done it too much. and if i have offended anyone, i do apologize. it is never my intent to hurt or criticize someone wrongly. so to all, i am sorry.
and kalifornia, please dont post less because youre afraid of offending someone. we are all adults, and even if you or i were to say something a little to over the line, the people here are going to say please stop before they just go right to being upset. |
I have become increasingly alarmed at what I see, and have been spending weekend building survival skills, and working on my emergency preps and such. I hope you are too. |
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mattinglyt
Watchdog
USA
11960 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 10:12:38
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Nathan, you are a true gentleman for bringing this to the light. PC, I deffinatly am not, but I do know the need of decency.
quote:
I guess my point is, we all ought to be able to laugh at ourselves and each other, so long as it is good natured. As repugnant as truly negative jokes that categorize people based on profession, race, sex, sexual orientation, physical characteristice, religions, etc.. are, there are jokes that categorize people, and are not insulting or demeaning, are good natured, and are REALLY FRIGGIN FUNNY, mostly because they point out truth. I just think people should be able to tell the difference.
I do agree, I like a good southern or fat joke, hell, I'm no featherweight either. BUT, why do you find it ok to attack a group of people that cannot respectfully defend themselves. If you would go to a special ed class and tell jokes about them to them, you would truely be a stupid bast**d. I don't think you would take it to that level, but who knows, we all do stupid  at times don't we?
quote:
(for example, you said you were both fat and an attorney, both of which you chose to be)
C'mon, theres gotta be a joke in that somewhere |
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Renigeid
Advanced Member
USA
3045 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 18:52:54
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Nice post Nathan. I too can laugh at myself but having a "downs" grandson myself, I don't find "retard" funny in any sense of the word. Just my nickle folks. I usually just pass over things I find a little condensending and not fret it. Great evening all and what about that Surpreme Court huh? finally did someting right!  |
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Presspass
Armed & Dangerous
USA
9044 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 19:11:32
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I'm a petite, baby blue eyed natural blonde. Looked like the stereotypical perky cheerleader most of my life. Southern. Working in a typically male profession, working a beat with a bunch of guys that if you can't take their brand of humor, you best not show up. Newsrooms and cop shops are brutal. They have to be, because you have to let off steam somewhere or you just explode. I've pretty much heard it all, given a good bit back, and not fretted over much in the process. But even I get there are things that are appropriate, and things that aren't.
I routinely joke about the "holes in my head." I don't have a problem with it. Humor is one of the ways we deal with the monster. I've probably heard every dumb blonde joke there is, even told a few, but I also graduated top of my class. However, if I or someone I loved had painful mental or physical issues that we were having a hard time dealing with, it wouldn't be funny to me.
Someone born with a mental or physical issue doesn't choose it, therefore they don't choose to participate in the joke. That's the line for me. It it isn't funny to everyone, it isn't funny. |
You can't fix stupid, but you can slap the crap out of it. |
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Brady
Junior Member
USA
388 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 21:36:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Nathan
to preface my request,...
If folks always use common decency then respectful requests like this wouldn't have to be made.
mattinglyt,
I love that groundhog! You weren't making fun of groundhogs were you.
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Genesis 16; Exodus 22:2; Psalm 2; Isaiah 5:14; Amos 8:11; Luke 22:36; John 3:16
NRA, GOA, http://gunowners.org/
GRGR-SC, http://www.scfirearms.org/
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mattinglyt
Watchdog
USA
11960 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2008 : 23:35:39
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quote:
mattinglyt,
I love that groundhog! You weren't making fun of groundhogs were you.
Thats my new guardhog
I also have these little guys
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Presspass
Armed & Dangerous
USA
9044 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2008 : 09:15:46
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| Man. I thought the squirrells in MY neighborhood were tough. My dog chases them, they chase him right back. They ain't nothing compared to those guys though. At least our squirells don't SHOOT at you. I'd rather have the squirrells than that cats...Can you send me a couple of those?? We just have to get a doggie flak jacket first. |
You can't fix stupid, but you can slap the crap out of it. |
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LINKS2K
Starting Member
11 Posts |
Posted - 07/14/2008 : 12:36:13
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| You are a good man. |
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pistolpackinhippie
Starting Member
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2008 : 23:52:13
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| Retard: 1. To make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede. It is the ones who shamelessly use this word out of context who are in fact retarded. They know not passion, understanding or tolerance for the mentally handicapped and are usually the slowest to warm up to the idea that not everyone is there intelectual equal. My sister has down's syndrome and i love her and my parents even more for it. I've been to the principals office a few times for beating the hell out of those who made retarded jokes at my sister. My utmost respect for you Nathan, for having the wherewithall to notice the problem and invoke others' ethics to retard, and impede a subject that makes me red with rage. |
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Q-Ship
Junior Member
320 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2008 : 18:18:24
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| I agree wholeheartedly. My wife works at a state home for the mentally retarded/brain injured. They are her "kids" regardless of size or age. They are also children in the eyes of the law and, I believe, the eyes of God. It is sad how many are dropped off and never visited by family for years at a time, at least until it's time to secure the government check. |
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity- Robert Anson Heinlein (USNA 29) |
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ridurall
Advanced Member
USA
6737 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 08:47:32
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| Well said Nathan. The world is full of dumb asses but we should not lump them in with those that don't use the brains they have rather than those that are less able because of handicaps. |
I'm Ron & I'm carrying Kimber Ultra Carry II In a Crossbreed IWB holster. NRA Life member since 1983.
"The thing that separates the American Christian from every other person on earth is the fact that he would rather die on his feet, than live on his knees!" George Washington
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tmcblane
Junior Member
187 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 09:57:18
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| I have used the term but it was never meant to insult, I apologize for saying it. I will not let it slip again. Thanks for the reminder, sometimes I forget how stupid I can be :) |
Glock 19
Member NRA, USCCA, Buckeye Firearms Assoc. |
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Tango 1
Plain Boring
USA
5780 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:10:22
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| Thank you to all that have agreed with Nathans request. It is sometimes difficult to just read past comments made by some one when they hit close to home. I am the Proud Parent of a Very Special Child with Down syndrome. Although I wish he never had to be special, I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. He is truly one of Gods gifts. |
 
Smith & Wesson Sigma
Model: SW40GVE Nato O/D
Caliber: .40S&W
Capacity: 14+1 Rounds
NRA Member
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Defender of the Constitution
Citizen of the United States of America
 There is a Storm coming! 
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When life gives you zombies, you work out your anger issues.
In God I trust!
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Nathan
Big Sky Guy
USA
21639 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:20:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Tango 1
I am the Proud Parent of a Very Special Child with Down syndrome. Although I wish he never had to be special, I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world.
you sir, are my hero. |
Nathan In Montana, carrying a Gen4 Glock 19 loaded with Federal 147 grain +P JHPs carried in a Galco King Tuk thats worn on a Wilderness Instructor's belt.
NRA Certified Instructor, Rifle, Shotgun and Pistol
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LKline
Jew-Jitsu Master
USA
5029 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:53:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Nathan
quote:
Originally posted by Tango 1
I am the Proud Parent of a Very Special Child with Down syndrome. Although I wish he never had to be special, I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world.
you sir, are my hero.
+1
My nephew has CP, is wheelchair confined & is mildly mentally retarded. He is one of the nicest & bravest men I know! |
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dougjohn_ak
Starting Member
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2009 : 12:29:03
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| This respectful request keeps this site from being like all the other hate-filled politico type sites. It keeps us professional, and if someone who doesn't carry stumbles on this site, they will look at us as professional, rather than hold us in a negative light. I am a Marine, and can't tell you how many Marines give us a negative image because they go out and raise hell on their off time. This gives us a horrible image, and we are always getting classes and seminars on it. But it's true, acting like a professional builds on your case, and acting unprofessional can ruin a good image in a heartbeat. For EVERYONE. I can't speak for everyone, but I want people to think about concealed carry in a positive manner, and not think we are a bunch of heathens. Then, maybe, just maybe, some lefty who reads about concealed carry might just see the light. |
Doug
LCpl/ USMC |
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longtooth
Junior Member
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2009 : 21:24:34
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| As the new kid on the block I am still catchin up on all the past posts. God job Nathan. Stand on it & I am with you. |
Carry 24-7 or guess right.
NRA Life Member
TSRA Life Member |
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Plano Mark
Average Member
USA
575 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2009 : 09:08:55
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Nathan,
As a younger brother of a special needs adult male, I applaud your request. I think that if more people spent time with these very special people, they would be more respectful to them.
My brother is my hero. I wouldn't trade him for the world. |
Help save America, have your liberal spayed or neutered
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COCounselor
Junior Member
USA
311 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2009 : 13:36:05
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My son is "special needs" and he participates in the Special Olympics, a truly wonderful program.
The reference to "retard" or Special Olympics people as being "stupid" are probably the only things guaranteed to set me off. Unfortunately, it's this sentiment that we fight day in and day out in our small community and in society at large. For this reason, my son has been targeted by other kids in his class, shoved against the wall and scared out of his wits. He doesn't want to go to school, doesn't like to play with others.
While it would be easier to be angry at people that use this terminology, perhaps energy would be better spent on education, on understanding these individuals and their contributions to the community. They are just like anyone else with emotions, needs, thoughts and rather than focusing on their differences, maybe focus on the fact that they are humans and have needs as well.
I have learned more from my son on how to be a creative parent. I have learned more from my son on what it means to be patient, tolerant and accepting. I have learned what it means to love unconditionally and to embrace each moment because, frequently, their lives are all too short. I have learned to see what miracles truly are...and sometimes it might be a small one by just getting him to tie his shoes!
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Teri
"To disarm the people is the most effectual way to enslave them."--George Mason
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glockguy
Senior Member
USA
1398 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2009 : 13:43:00
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quote:
Originally posted by COCounselor
My son is "special needs" and he participates in the Special Olympics, a truly wonderful program.
The reference to "retard" or Special Olympics people as being "stupid" are probably the only things guaranteed to set me off. Unfortunately, it's this sentiment that we fight day in and day out in our small community and in society at large. For this reason, my son has been targeted by other kids in his class, shoved against the wall and scared out of his wits. He doesn't want to go to school, doesn't like to play with others.
While it would be easier to be angry at people that use this terminology, perhaps energy would be better spent on education, on understanding these individuals and their contributions to the community. They are just like anyone else with emotions, needs, thoughts and rather than focusing on their differences, maybe focus on the fact that they are humans and have needs as well.
I have learned more from my son on how to be a creative parent. I have learned more from my son on what it means to be patient, tolerant and accepting. I have learned what it means to love unconditionally and to embrace each moment because, frequently, their lives are all too short. I have learned to see what miracles truly are...and sometimes it might be a small one by just getting him to tie his shoes!
that is an excellent post. thank you. i intend to see that my sons read this. |
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Tango 1
Plain Boring
USA
5780 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2009 : 14:56:24
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quote:
Originally posted by COCounselor
My son is "special needs" and he participates in the Special Olympics, a truly wonderful program.
The reference to "retard" or Special Olympics people as being "stupid" are probably the only things guaranteed to set me off. Unfortunately, it's this sentiment that we fight day in and day out in our small community and in society at large. For this reason, my son has been targeted by other kids in his class, shoved against the wall and scared out of his wits. He doesn't want to go to school, doesn't like to play with others.
While it would be easier to be angry at people that use this terminology, perhaps energy would be better spent on education, on understanding these individuals and their contributions to the community. They are just like anyone else with emotions, needs, thoughts and rather than focusing on their differences, maybe focus on the fact that they are humans and have needs as well.
I have learned more from my son on how to be a creative parent. I have learned more from my son on what it means to be patient, tolerant and accepting. I have learned what it means to love unconditionally and to embrace each moment because, frequently, their lives are all too short. I have learned to see what miracles truly are...and sometimes it might be a small one by just getting him to tie his shoes!
I couldn't have said it any better, Been here, doing that! |
Smith & Wesson Sigma
Model: SW40GVE Nato O/D
Caliber: .40S&W
Capacity: 14+1 Rounds
NRA Member
CCW Permit Holder
Defender of the Constitution
Citizen of the United States of America
There is a Storm coming!
When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. When life gives you zombies, you work out your anger issues.
In God I trust!
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another respectful request
