yes or no : culture : SHOULD THE WORD 'RETARD' BE BANNED? [+] serious ballot by mojo ACTIVE Wed Apr 01, 09 - Thu Apr 01, 10 CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY TO BAN THE WORD 'RETARD' From wire service reports Chapman University will join a youth-based campaign by the Special Olympics today to encourage people to pledge to stop using the word `retard' in everyday speech. Students at Chapman University in Orange will conduct an informational campaign on campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on behalf of a nationwide effort entitled "Spread the Word to End the Word," according to Kim Pine, assistant vice president of communications and marketing for Special Olympics Southern California. "Most people don't think of this word as the language of hate, but that's exactly what it feels like to millions of people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends," said actor John C. McGinley, who, as ambassador of the National Down Syndrome Society, has made several media appearances on behalf of "Spread the Word to End the Word." Organizers have set a goal of getting 100,000 pledges on the effort's Web site, www.r-word.org, to support elimination of "the R-word" and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. More than 20,000 pledges have already been made. Special Olympics began the effort to end use of the demeaning word retard in August in connection with the premiere of the movie "Tropic Thunder," which repeatedly used the term. I confess, I use the word 'retard' or 'retarded,' not about Down Syndrome people but about myself from time to time, when I screw up (OK, OK, I screw up more than just 'from time to time' :-) And I used the word A LOT over the past 8 years when describing a certain head of state whose initials are GWB. The question: Is this PC taken to extreme, or is it proper that this word be expunged from the English language? (Thanks again to my friend from Canada for inspiring this one.) Hell, yes. Hell, no. Comment. That's retarded! Register to submit choices Ballot #133032 : SEE RESULTS Comment: Register to submit comments You may still vote without registration show your vote with comment?

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