Sarah Palin Calls For Rahm's Firing Over "Retarded" Comment

h/t Teagan Goddard. Take it away Facebook. Have you no decency, sir?

More at link.

Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?

The Obama Administration’s Chief of Staff scolded participants, calling them, “F---ing retarded,” according to several participants, as reported in the Wall Street Journal.

Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the “N-word” or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and the people who love them – is unacceptable, and it’s heartbreaking.

A patriot in North Andover, Massachusetts, notified me of Rahm’s “retarded” slam. I join this gentleman, who is the father of a beautiful child born with Down Syndrome, in asking why the Special Olympics, National Down Syndrome Society and other groups condemning Rahm’s degrading scolding have been completely ignored by the White House. No comment from his boss, the president?

As my friend in North Andover says, “This isn’t about politics; it’s about decency. I am not speaking as a political figure but as a parent and as an everyday American wanting my child to grow up in a country free from mindless prejudice and discrimination, free from gratuitous insults of people who are ostensibly smart enough to know better... Have you no sense of decency, sir?”

Mr. President, you can do better, and our country deserves better.

Comments

[FKD]

Question: you never used the word "retard" or "mentally handicapped" pejoratively in your public discourse?

[Dan Riehl]

I don't think I would were I the WH COS.

[V-enting]

True confessions here: I still use the 'tard word... directed at anyone *but* a genuinely retarded (sorry, mentally challenged) person. Growing up around my neighborhood and school yard, "retard," along with "faggot" were our no. 1 and 2 favorite insults. I didn't know what "faggot" meant for a decade after it entered my vocabulary. Then it lost its magic because I didn't really mean to call someone a homosexual. I meant to call them an a$$hole. Rahm Emanuel is definitely an a$$hole. But you know what? He was correct when he called those particular Dems f-tards (just a more efficient version of *incredibly stupid a$$holes*). Sadly, given the collection of incompetent, philosophically retarded, radical a$$holes which comprise the Obama administration, the Rahm-hole rises to the top as one of the least offensive. At least he sees the truth before he sets about bending it beyond recognition. I think he is one of the few voices of reason (isn't that scary?) in that nest of stinking a$$holes. Which is why no one is listening to him anymore.

So whatever, Sarah. Neither 'tard nor 'hole nor effing mofos comes close to venting my full opinion of the regime plundering this country. Getting through these next three years is going to require a lot of bad language. I feel Rahm's pain.

[Jeff]

since Rahm didn't just used the word retarded but spiced it up with his favorite prefix I think its safe to say he was not actually comparing those folks to people with downs syndrome. That said he's a lowlife and will someday mouth off at someone who will "encourage" him to eat thru a straw for several weeks.
I am the proud brother of a sister with downs syndrome and I would never use the term retarded in reference to her. People who use that term out of kindness as in "Is she retarded ?" are treated with a somewhat different level of feedback than I would use on someone like Rahm.
If I ever compared someone to my sister they should take it for the compliment that it is as she is the most gentle soul I have ever witnessed on this earth.
Should anyone ever denigrates her within my earshot or within earshot of anyone who communicates that to me should pray for God to take them before I find them.

[Anita]

Master Stroke!

[Polly]

I tend not to use the word 'retarded' as an insult but it is difficult not to use it in baking or working in a pizza shop. I have no problem with Palin or anyone else bringing attention to the COS's casual use of the word 'retarded', but I think it is silly to ask for his head on a platter for it. Better to point it out and use it as an example as to the kind of people that liberals really are.

[jimr3]

Rhambo “Dead Fish” has apologized for the “retarded” remark.
Via Politico:
“A White House official emails that Rahm Emanuel has acknowledged calling liberal Democrats "retarded" and apologized for the remark. Rahm called Tim Shriver Wednesday to apologize and the apology was accepted," the official said. Shriver is the Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, which has launched a campaign against what it calls "the R word."
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Emanuel_apologized_for_retarded_remark.html?showall

[unseen]

PC will kill us all eventually. while i understand Palin's outrage, i think the call to strip words from our discourse is wrong on many levels. I am a supporter of Palin on most things but here I think the drive for Political correctness is a major part of the problem in DC. If politicans have to watch every word uttered they can not/will not talk to the people. simple as that.

I found Obama bowling comment more offensive than Rham's comment. In so far as Obama was putting down the special needs children by comparing his lack of talent with their's

[xerocky]

Sometimes when dealing with modern culture, it's hard to tell exactly what the context of the word in question is really intended to be, case in point: Mike Jackson's song BAD. By saying that he was "bad" he really meant that he was good. See where the confusion comes in?
So in a similar sense go the black eyed peas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT62F8JqgSY

who happen to be one of the most racially aware, and sensitive music groups of the modern recording era. Remember, they even had a flat out pro Obama song...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z2fPi2VtQI

So my guess is that Rahm meant it as a compliment, and Palin's just too "white" to get it. I mean, get with it.

[FeFe]

Another example of how invisible Americans with disabilities are to the ObamACORN administration, and indeed progressives who have a long history of championing eugenics. But don't worry taxpayers! Liberals will ensure their teacher's unions aren't held accountable for special education outcomes, and they will keep the borders and visas open to add people to the rolls to make up for those Americans who aren't going to grow up to contribute to Social Security. Ignore the fact that unskilled immigration lowers wages for all of those minority children the public school system fails.

P.S. Safe Schools Czar Kevin Jennings does not find this word offensive unless applied to fisting.

[PA]

"I think he is one of the few voices of reason"

Voice of self-preservation perhaps. He's still a power crazed commie.

[Dr. K]

what is it with this administration and the developmentally disabled?

Obama likened his bowling skill to that of the Special Olympics, and now Rahm drops the 'tard bomb.

The Democrat Party really needs to grow up.

[physics geek]

Mr. President, you can do better

Actually, he probably can't.

[leilani]

As "unseen" & "Dr. K" commented above, the President of the United States made a deliberately offensive joke about Special Olympians on the Tonight Show last year which required far more calculated insensitivity on his part, so it would probably be a bit disingenuous for him to toss Rahm under the bus for merely using an insensitive word in passing.

Yes, it was unseemly for somebody who holds a putatively responsible public position as he does to use a retro slur like that. But then again, didn't advocates for those with cognitive deficits long ago demand that everyone change the terminology precisely because it had been hijacked by, shall we say, less mature speakers to crassly denote, as V-enting mentioned above, a mere idiotic @$$hole instead of someone who is truly 'challenged'? Per the advocates for the mentally & physically disabled themselves, "retard" supposedly no longer accurately applies to those afflicted with disabilities, no?

[Al in St. Lou]

Isn't this just more PC crap? What am I missing?

I must be the same age as V-enting. That description fits the schools I attended.

[Ed in Orlando, Florida]

I only use the words retard or retarded in reference to Sarah Palin and people like her. If Sarah Palin admits to a disability that affects her mentally, I will certainly stop calling her retarded immediately.

I also like it when people say "wicked retarded" with a Boston accent.

[Dr. K]

Stay classy, Ed.

[Ed in Orlando, Florida]

I'll try Dr. K. I actually don't use the words at all but, come on, she is pretty retarded.

[Anna]

I am very disappointed that Sarah Palin chooses to play the victim card. It's annoying enough to have to listen to people who find offense at the drop of a hat, especially on the liberal side of the aisle. But to have a putative leader of the GOP do the same thing makes me wonder if there's any hope that we can ever get rid of this PC crap. Seriously, your feelings are hurt because an idiot used a perfectly legitimate word that also happens to have been used to refer to people with mental disabilities? And with your hurt feelings you think that this person should now resign?

I'm done with Palin. I've been unimpressed by her appearances on Fox so far, but I really wasn't putting a lot of weight on that. But add this knee-jerk boohoohoo-ing (and endorsing McCain! McCain of all people!), and that's it. She's just another opportunistic featherweight.

I'm hoping some of the younger generation would turn out to be better leaders (Rubio? Jindal?) because, daggamit, we need good leaders. Especially ones who are not crybabies.

[Jeff]

Anna ? Palin is playing the victim card ? not at all ... and as far as her endorsing of McCain ... can you spell L O Y A L T Y ???? How hard is that to understand. What was she supposed to do to McCai, endorse his opponent ?

I'll bet you were never a Palin supporter, ever ...

[Jeff]

Anna ? Palin is playing the victim card ? not at all ... and as far as her endorsing of McCain ... can you spell L O Y A L T Y ???? How hard is that to understand. What was she supposed to do to McCain, endorse his opponent ?

I'll bet you were never a Palin supporter, ever ...

[mike2cents]

The sad fact about SP's public outrage over this comment is that she saw and took
a political opportunity here - and used her kid to do it.
It's fine to point out - esp. coming from a mother of child with developmental disabilities - that using this term is thoughtless and insensitive.
But fire Rahm...and equate this with using the 'n' word??
Even her usual defenders seem to be at a loss on this one.
Maybe it'll help illuminate a side of her some folks wanna pretend isn't there.

[FeFe]

I would be offended if Palin didn't use her visible public profile to point out the inappropriateness of a White House employee using such language. For whoever has a problem with her 2 cents on the topic, then you don't mean it when you say it's for the children.

[Ricky]

Only Sarah Palin could get liberals to complain about the dangers of political correctness!!! This is unreal. One thing I have always known, liberals hate to take their own medicine.

From what I have heard about Saul Alinsky, she might just have applied one of his rules. Way too go, Madam President-to-be.

[SDN]

"So my guess is that Rahm meant it as a compliment, and Palin's just too "white" to get it."

Racist, much, xerocky?

[TGSG]

What part of "Chief of Staff" to the President of The United States don't some of the commenters here understand? He isn't some joe-blow-off-the-street. We pay him, and if he can't remember that he shouldn't be there.

[Mike2Cents]

FeFe -

Perhaps you missed where I did indeed point out that it was "thoughtless and insensitive" to use this phrase/term.
My point was simply that her reaction/comments about it were over the top - and I feel, somewhat insincere.
She was trying to score political points (oddly by using a tactic many of her supporters often whine about..the PC thing).
She could have scolded him for it - and with authority.
But instead she came off as opportunistic...to most everyone.
You don't need to love her unconditionally, you know.
(And on that note - Obama's 'special olympics' comment on the tonight show was much less forgivable.)

[Linda]

Well Palin is an idiot. I am offended she exploits that child for political and any other gain she can receive. It is sick the way she carts him everywhere not because she wants him there because he is used for a political pawn. Now if that word offends her so badly then why does she NOT go after Rush Limbaugh?? Is it because she knows going after him would be political destruction for her?? In reality it is only the person saying it that offends her not the word itself. Why did it take her from August 2009 until February 2010 to realize this had been said and no comment before now? She is such a farce.