Firstly, I am very, very late in writing this. It is quite possibly the least topical and belated response to something in the entirety of Blogland.
I write it, because it has been itching at me, and also my memory of it was triggered once more by Obo's inference that I might be insane (see comments to next article down, and no I'm not offended or bothered and neither is this a dig at Obo).
Your thoughts at the end of this will be appreciated.
On November 6th, Iain Dale wrote this article.
In the article he states:
"Yid. Poof. Paki. Retard. No, don't worry, I haven't lost my marbles or done away with my brake mechanism. Ian Birrell has written an interesting article in today's Independent about the modern day useage of the word 'retard'.
This word seems to be acceptable in modern parlance in a way with other words are not. Ian is the father of a daughter with learning disabilities and explains how he is cut to the quick every time he hears the word..."
He ends the piece, saying...
"I think what Ian says is true - that society finds the use of the word 'retard' far more acceptable than any of the others which I list at the beginning of this piece. If Ian's wish for the word to cease being used is to be realised it is not something which you can legislate for. Society, in the end, will make it so. If it wants to."
Yet, earlier on in the year, on September 10th, Iain Dale wrote this on a comment to a thread on Peter Hitchens's blog:
"The loonies really have come out to play on this thread haven't they?
The reason I queried the phrase "People like him" on Martin Wilkinson's initial comment is because through bitter experience I have come to know that it usually means just one thing. I'm not being sensitive..."
The comment was in relation to a comment made by a contributor who used the term 'people like him' regarding Iain Dale. Iain thought he was being homophobic. As I suspected, and as the contributor clarified on the discussion, what he meant was people with politics like his - i.e. so-called Tories and so-called conservatives who are actually quite wet and lefty.
This isn't important. What is, I think, is that Iain Dale levied the 'loonies' remark at people (including me) who raised an objection to Iain's earlier post:
"Oh, and Martin Wilkinson, are you always such a prat? "People like him"? Gays you mean? It is people like you who have kept the Conservative Party out of power. You disgust me."This is remarkable, when you think about it. How can we legitimately raise a query over the use of the word 'retard, but not the word 'loony'? Look at the article on Dale's site again, and look at the context. He doesn't want censorship, but he appears to acknowledge that 'retard' is a bad word and not very kind.
'Retard' does indeed infer great disparagement and prejudice, not to mention unkind negativity, towards people tarred as being 'mad'. It is a slur. Possibly hurtful to people with or without mental health troubles.
Is 'loony' any different, then? If so, why? If not, why not?
I guess Iain's 'brake mechanism' only counts for the former, not the latter. Oh well, at least we know where we stand, I guess.
I'm now off to find myself a large man of Indigenous American origins, so I can ask him to pull up my sink and throw it through my kitchen window. I need to get out for some fresh air...
14 comments:
"It is quite possibly the least topical and belated response to something in the entirety of Blogland."
Far be it from me to disagree with the mighty John Demetriou. :o)
(As to your question - I obviously don't feel qualified to comment!)
Retard is obviously far worse, as a retard will (eventually) figure out that he was being insulted. For the loony it will just be one of many voices....
Sticks and stones may break my bones....there was a reason for us having that saying, people who wish to display their wonderfulness as sensitive, caring human beings would do well to remember that...otherwise they can end up looking like right tossers.
Your first three examples are racist, sexist & racist, so it's "chalk & cheese" - not really comparable to the use of retard to insult a person's intelligence. There are some people with low intelligence where I work, but no-one feels the need to draw attention to their limitations (as long as they cope with their tasks, that is). I think you are running out of ideas and this non-issue is insignificant.
Running out of ideas? Are you kidding? I have about 3 topics in my head right now I could write about - all quite topical, political and interesting.
I'm going to hold off till tomorrow though, as I wish to spend some time with my better half instead.
Thanks for the gratuitous and fatuous insult though, you fucking pompous cunt.
Ed P: that obviously worked, so I'm going to nick it. :o)
Hahaha
Very good.
ED P, the three examples are from Dale, hence the use of a quote. John is simply pointing out that Dale feels it is okay to offend via mental illness but not by learning difficulties.
And I can't see where this is coined a major issue.
In the real world, nobody cares who Ian Dale is.
The great, raving willy woofter.
(Hello Ian, if you're reading!)
CJH
Thanks for the reactions!
Always a pleasure to wind you cocks up. Cheers!
You haven't wound me up Ed, I have simply pointed out that you can't read.
Most would be embarrassed by that.
I hope Dale does read this.
He won't comment, because he is too arrogant and lofty to be associated with 'loon' people and 'loon' blogs (i.e. those that say things he doesn't like or are critical of his politics). But it would be funny if he did.
Maybe he'd like to explain why it's ok to bandy around the term 'loon' and accuse people of being loons, but somehow 'retard' is a word that may be considered to be up there with 'paki' 'nigger' and all those terms.
Interesting one that.
Just fuck off you retards!
Here's the thing-how do we legislate against words? Where is it all going to end up? I accept that terms like retard can be hurtful, but what words should we be allowed to use, and who decides?
What will you do next, ban swearing?
well my position is that no words should be banned. So that's that cleared up!
Ed P - ah ha! aaaahahahaha! hilarious.
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