Last week I wrote about some offensive comments made by White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, and at the time I agreed with Sarah Palin, who called for Emanuel to be fired, but here’s where the story gets really interesting. After Palin’s statement, conservative squawker Rush Limbaugh made more than one reference to the demeaning word on his show on Wednesday, saying “Our political correct society is acting like some giant insults taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards” and “I think their big news is he’s out there calling Obama’s number one supporters f’ing retards. So now there’s going to be a meeting. There’s going to be a retard summit at the White House”.
Despite Limbaugh’s comments, Palin did not call for his ouster, with a spokesperson for Palin saying only, “Gov. Palin believes crude and demeaning name-calling at the expense of others is disrespectful.” So while Sarah Palin felt Rahm Emanuel deserved to be fired for one offensive remark, she apparently didn’t feel Rush Limbaugh deserved the same for not one, not two, but four references to the word retard. That’s hypocrisy, plain and simple.
H/T to James Rowen.
Being offended at the Rush ” the blowhard” Limbaugh for using the same word Emanuel did doesn’t fit her agenda. She’s so rouge (sarcasm off). Actually, she’s either afraid of upsetting the blowhard because she wants his support in the future or she is nothing more than a hypocrite. A coward or hypocrite. Take your pick.
…And you just proved Rush’s point. You’ll jump all over Rush for his comments and call Palin a hypocrite but offer a less than scathing rebuke of Rahm. If you would listen to the show you would know that you’re being played but posting a small quote without the correct context is how it’s done on the left.
Uh, did you read what I wrote about Rahm? I agreed with Sarah Palin’s assertion he should be fired for what he said.
Zach…it surprises me you feel he should be fired for what he said. How many people say similar things or even worse things every day without consequences? Are there other words you find to be so offensive that people should be fired for saying? I’m just asking because when I was in the work force what Emanuel said is mild compared to the stuff I heard coming out of the mouths of my co-workers. I’m actually surprised you don’t hear worse things considering the field you work in.
Anon, I hear a lot of crappy things every day, but considering the people I hear those things from, I’m frankly not shocked by them. The issue here is that Rahm Emanuel should know better, and what’s more, he should be held to a higher standard, given the position he holds.
Ultimately, I’m sure this is an issue of my own personal experiences coloring my view on the issue, but eh, that’s just how it is.
As insensitive as it is to say what he did…I don’t think people use the word “retard” or “retarded” to hurt those people who once were labeled by doctors as retarded. At least I hope they don’t. But…you are right he should know better. From everything I heard/read about this guy (Rahm Emanuel) he’s a crude jerk and has always been one.
“I know Rahm Emanuel’s a hothead, but he should definitely choose his words far more carefully.”
Yeah… You were pretty hard on the guy……
I prefer to think for myself so I don’t think I’ll be tuning in anytime soon to the blowhard’s radio show (or his “I love making money off these idiots” show).
In my mind, the difference is that Rahm is a public official and Rush is an entertainer. There’s lots of stuff Howard Stern says, but I don’t want that coming out of the White House.
Should Ben Stiller be ousted for making “Tropic Thunder”?
Also note that Anon used the term “these idiots” in the last comment. Doesn’t that mean the same as “retarded”? I am not criticizing Anon, but thought it was interesting to point out in a post about word games.
Forgot, you do have a point about the word games. It doesn’t bother me Emanuel used the word but it does bother me (slightly) that President Obama relies so heavily on someone like Emanuel. What Rush says is irrelevant to me. How Palin feels about anything is irrelevant to me too.
I don’t recall if I ever used the word “retard” or “retarded” in a derogatory manner. It’s possible I used it once and felt horrible about it and I won’t ever use it again. I do use the word “bitch” occasionally and I offend myself when I use that word. Most of the time I use it towards men though since many men find it as such an appropriate term to describe women. It’s kind of a “right back at you” thing with me.
I’m sure we could all work on eliminating a few words from our repertoire, but sometimes that is hard to do in the heat of the moment or frustration.
In discussing this I was reminded of a series of PSAs currently running featuring Wanda Sykes and Hillary Duff. In each ad the celebrity overhears a conversation among a couple people and one of them uses the phrase “that’s so gay.” The celebrity then steps in to chastise and them and point out how ridiculous they sound and the tag at the end says “Think Before You Speak.” Maybe Palin could do one for her objectionable word of choice.
Ah, so it’s perfectly okay to call folks “retards” (or something equally offensive, for that matter), so long as it’s under the guise of being an entertainer.
I didn’t necessarily say that, but I hope you can see a difference between a Chief-of-staff to the President and a talk show host/entertainer. Besides, I think Rush was making a satirical point. But again, would you hold Ben Stiller to the same standard? Boycott his movies? I’m not so sure even Rahm, in a higher position than entertainers, should be fired. An apology would do. I’m sure there’s a good portion of the population offended that he used the f-word too.
I get the difference between the two, and I’m not saying entertainers shouldn’t have a little more leeway by virtue of what they do, but I’m simply saying it shouldn’t be “perfectly okay.”
In this world it seems to be.
Sorry that was a reply to Zach’s 4:19pm comment.
Ok, anyone here honestly can say they have never used the word retard? I use it. I use it in the very same context as I use the word dork. I never use it in a way that is meant to hurt, offend, or even suggest that person has a true mental disorder. Oops..am I allowed to use that term? Dont want to offend anyone with mental disorders.
It all depends on the actual way you use the word. And yes, if you are in a position like Mr. Emanuel, using it like he did was inexcusable. I dont care about Rush, I dont listen to his show. But, Rush isnt is a position of authority or public office. Should he be fired for that? I dont think so. Seriously reprimanded yes.. I think he should be fired for the totality of his inexcusable actions not just for that one incident.
As for Mrs Palin, I am a conservative and she offends me just about every time she opens her mouth. Positions of authority, and high public office has to maintain a certain level of…whats the word Im looking for? Professionalism maybe? Her “down to earth” “everyday person” way of talking isnt what I want in the White House. When a serious question is asked of her as president, “You betcha” doesnt cut it.