I hear you. I am just used to saying that in a completely insensitive way.

I think the way I look at it, is that I would never call someone with mental disabilities “retarded”. I have always tried to be sensitive to avoiding that word when it comes to disabilities all together. I think of it more how music retards.

I totally understand what you are saying and it is something to think about. Please know that I don’t mean that in a derogatory way toward anyone at all.

I have a daughter who is mentally and physically “retarded” so the casual use of the “R” word hits close to home to me…my suggestion to people when I get on my high-horse about this topic is to suggest a parallel thought about when how we as a society might decide it is cool to say

I am SO cancerous.

I am so AIDS.

I am SO Sudden Infant Death Sydrome.

…when they don’t feel well.

Thanks for listening.

Herb, thanks for the mental picture. Now all I can think about is a man-skirt with a big hairy butt. Nast.

C