# Sarah Palin: "Rahm Emannuel called my retard baby a nigger!" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 3, 2010, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503 "2010-02-03T06:37:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/121 "2010-02-04T23:26:04Z")
> [@Lamar\_Mundane](#): > > I think you bought into an old joke and due to lack of exposure to liberals in daily life, you thought this is something that people really say in earnest. I don’t think so. Here’s the well-known conservative Whoopie Goldberg [shilling](http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3261680) for Toys R Us. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/122 "2010-02-04T23:31:55Z")
Whoopie Goldberg didn’t write that copy, some idiot ad person did. I’ve never once heard “differently-abled” used seriously by anyone within the disabled community or the profession that works with them. People with disabilities say “disabled,” or “disability.” They don’t want people to pretend they don’t have disabilities, they just don’t want to be defined by them. They mock the PC language more than anyone. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/123 "2010-02-04T23:33:52Z")
I was flipping by Olbermann last night and he kept calling it “the R word” while talking about this whole fiasco. I was laughing so hard- the R word? Seriously? The word is retarded, not “the R word”. It’s a real word that has a real meaning. Yes, if you are using it as an insult, much like anything used as such, it is insulting. That’s the point. If retarded means stupid, slowed, or whatever we want to accept it to mean, then yes, calling someone “retarded” implies that being stupid is bad. Why? _Because it is._ Being stupid is bad. Are there genuinely folks here trying to argue that being retarded is a good thing? Would you choose that for yourself, given the opportunity? Of course not- because\* it’s a bad thing. \* Do I feel bad for my family members who have mental disabilities that render them different levels of “psychologically or physically differently abled”? Of course. That’s a fate no one wishes on another. Still, their development? It is retarded. My cousin’s speech? Retarded. My ex’s brother’s ability to write? Retarded. On and on. It’s an adjective that serves a legitimate purpose. The word retarded can be aptly used to describe someone who- either through birth or choice- is relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development. My sympathies are certainly for the folks who have no choice in their station in life-- but I’m fairly certain Rahm was talking about the otherwise intelligent people who are choosing to behave in such a way. “The R Word”-- JFC. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/124 "2010-02-04T23:37:05Z")
Would you use this colorful little comparison if a retarded person were in the room? ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/125 "2010-02-04T23:37:27Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > Are there genuinely folks here trying to argue that being retarded is a good thing? I told you man, yes. We strive to improve. Love, -KKK 😃 I didn’t see Olbermann’s spiel, but is it possible that he’s using “r-word” facetiously in order to make a point about the ridiculousness of it? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/126 "2010-02-04T23:39:36Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Would you use this colorful little comparison if a retarded person were in the room? I would. Bring Sarah Palin into the room. Seriously, what if I told you that I have regularly heard people with MR diagnoses use the word “retarded” to mean stupid? ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/127 "2010-02-04T23:49:50Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I was flipping by Olbermann last night and he kept calling it “the R word” while talking about this whole fiasco. I was laughing so hard- the R word? Seriously? As in John Boehner (R - OH)? I like it. ---
**Author:** ![Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8c91f0/32.png) [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/128 "2010-02-04T23:51:28Z")
In my area people use the term semi-retarded. Presently there’s a group here building a new home for disabled people, their spokesman - who has only one leg says he’s this-abled. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/129 "2010-02-04T23:55:47Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I would. Bring Sarah Palin into the room. > > Seriously, what if I told you that I have regularly heard people with MR diagnoses use the word “retarded” to mean stupid? I’ve heard black people use the word “nigger,” too. Diogenes, I have had a lot of contact with lots of mentally retarded people. I have never heard that usage from them, but it wouldn’t matter if I did. I have, OTOH, heard people call a mentally retarded person a retard. 'Cause that’s such a handy expression and all, and after all, they are stupid. Seriously, are you telling me that if a retarded person were in the room, you wouldn’t hesitate to use the word “retard” or “retarded” to describe something–not toward the person in question, just directed at someone or something you thought worthy of ridicule? Or was that just a Sarah Palin joke? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/130 "2010-02-05T00:07:46Z")
My interaction with such people is almost always within a professional capacity where that would be inappropriate. Outside of a professional context, it would depend on the person. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/131 "2010-02-05T00:18:30Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > I didn’t see Olbermann’s spiel, but is it possible that he’s using “r-word” facetiously in order to make a point about the ridiculousness of it? I didn’t get that vibe, but it’s entirely possible. [The video is on this blog, down the page.](http://rawstory.com/2010/02/limbaugh-used-word-retard/) “R Word” usage starts at about 3:45. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/132 "2010-02-05T00:27:22Z")
> [@Rumor\_Watkins](#): > > i don’t think even that retard Rahm is contending that the usage of the term was not insulting… to the recipient of the insult. > > we’re not talking about insulting versus not, we’re talking about whether usage of the term disses the 'tards while simultaneously insulting the retard who made the retarded proposal in the first place. Who is this recipient? He was not talking about her kid. he was not talking about anybody at all. He said an idea was retarded. is that an offense to people who have ideas? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/133 "2010-02-05T00:31:10Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > is that an offense to people who have ideas? Sometimes I have ideas and I, for one, am tremendously offended. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/134 "2010-02-05T00:39:58Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Who is this recipient? He was not talking about her kid. he was not talking about anybody at all. He said an idea was retarded. is that an offense to people who have ideas? the person whose idea it was is the recipient ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/135 "2010-02-05T00:53:02Z")
I’m just a little surprised that this bit of apology theater hasn’t been gate-d yet. Retardgate has kind of a nice ring to it. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/136 "2010-02-05T00:57:19Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > Who is this recipient? He was not talking about her kid. he was not talking about anybody at all. He said an idea was retarded. is that an offense to people who have ideas? I’m offended because I have lots of retarded ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/137 "2010-02-05T01:08:14Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > I’m just a little surprised that this bit of apology theater hasn’t been gate-d yet. Retardgate has kind of a nice ring to it. it would only be too perfect if thats what the gop decided to call it in their next talking points memo ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/138 "2010-02-05T02:31:55Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I’ll respond to this as soon as I get back from dancing naked to speed metal covers of Indigo Girls songs while smearing myself in the blood of death-panel aborted Christian babies. Shit; is that tonight? I thought it was tomorrow night! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/139 "2010-02-05T02:39:41Z")
> [@Shot\_From\_Guns](#): > > I’ll respond to this as soon as I get back from dancing naked to speed metal covers of Indigo Girls songs while smearing myself in the blood of death-panel aborted Christian babies. {Paris Hilton}Thass hawt.{/PH} ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503/140 "2010-02-05T02:41:17Z")
But what about Sarah Palin? . . . . . . (Sorry, it had been a whole page and if she hadn’t been menntioned who knows which of her children that media-whore would drag out as a crutch next) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rahm-emannuel-called-my-retard-baby-a-nigger/527503.md?page=8)