Intelligence Insults Should Insult Our Intelligence

Came across a Raise the Hammer, a website run by a group of Hamilton, Ontario, citizens who believe in their city's potential and are willing to get involved in making the city a more vibrant, livable, and attractive place to live and work. 

Moron. Idiot. Imbecile. Feebleminded.

No, I'm not quoting a Python skit. I'm listing some clinical classifications, no longer in use, except as socially acceptable descriptors of individuals with whom we may disagree, or whose expertise we doubt.

Retarded.
As in, "That's retarded."
Socially acceptable? That depends. If you're a comedy host for the CBC (Clash of Comedy website in Canada), apparently it is.

The R-Word: The Battle to End an Ugly Slur

We applaud this mission and will contiue to do our part in helping stop the R-Word!

DETROIT -- It's a slur just like any other. It hurts, and yet many, including some sports heroes and musical artists, think it's somehow OK to include it in their conversations.

The word is "retard" (or "retarded") -- otherwise known as the R-word. And it's the subject of a wide-reaching campaign to educate folks about how the use of the word can cause great pain.

"Not Acceptable," a public service announcement created by Spread the Word to End the Word, aired during the finale of Fox's hit series "Glee." Some news sources referred to the announcement, which uses uncensored slurs, as "shocking."

Effort Seeks to End Use of 'R' Word

When Eileen Cavalier of Rochester hears someone insultingly use the word "retarded," she speaks up. Her 18-month-old son has Down syndrome.
"You realize when you say that, you're making fun of people like my son, Rory," she says. People are quick to say they mean no harm, but she tells them the word is still hurtful.