Special Olympics Controversy Update

One thing most of us believe in is that we don't like to pick on those who for some reason cannot defend themselves. I say most of us because there are still some scum of the Earth individuals out there who enjoy the term 'bully.'

However sometimes we do pick on those less fortunate individuals or groups without meaning to hurt them or even realizing that we are doing so. Such was the case for so many years when we used words we heard our parents use that were actually derogatory. One such word was brought to light recently when the President compared his bowling skills as those worthy of the Special Olympics. It was an obvious catch phrase denoting handicapped people.

As a result of the increased exposure of such words and the incumbent pain they cause the American Association of Mental Retardation changed its name to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. While the new name is a mouthful at least it removes the offending word so often shortened and used in a mean way.

They clearly want the word, "Retard" to be dropped from our lexicon. I totally agree that the word is unfair and demeaning. It should be used only to describe those who are worthy of being called retards in the true hateful way. Those who can defend themselves; those who are worthy of the term retarded; Those who helped retard the world by their actions. In other words George Bush; Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.