# Why you should watch The Colbert Report **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293 "2010-02-09T17:28:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/1 "2010-02-09T17:28:30Z")
if you haven’t seen this: > **[Colbert: "Sarah Palin Is A F--king Retard" (VIDEO)](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/colbert-sarah-palin-is-a_n_454744)** > > Colbert: "Sarah Palin Is A F--king Retard" (VIDEO) go check it out. I will wait… I love that man. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/2 "2010-02-09T18:59:42Z")
I saw it last night. That was awesome. Note the massive applause from the audience also. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/3 "2010-02-09T19:12:28Z")
Does that mean that Palin is retard strong? ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/4 "2010-02-09T19:30:14Z")
That was the most perfect take down ever. ---
**Author:** ![Sister\_Vigilante](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@Sister\_Vigilante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sister_Vigilante)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/5 "2010-02-09T19:43:06Z")
My SO was already asleep so I had to cheer very quietly. ---
**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 9, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/6 "2010-02-09T19:47:26Z")
That was brilliant. He actually got to say “Sarah Palin is a fucking retard” on national television (pretty awesome all by itself) and, by her own logic, she can’t complain about it. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/7 "2010-02-09T20:01:36Z")
Excellent takedown! And another good one for the 2012 campaign clip closet. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/8 "2010-02-09T20:39:02Z")
Colbert Report said everything it had to say by the end of the first week. Just like the Daily Show, you know how everything is going to play out before the show starts. Bears, bees, irony, sarcasm… yeah, I see what you’re doing guy… Although you do have to admire the outrageousness of him attacking a public figure that his entire audience hates. That takes both skill and courage. And it’s not like there’s anything in it for him… See, that’s my Colbert impression. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/9 "2010-02-09T20:42:40Z")
Who else could call Palin a fucking retard AND get appointed part of a Winter Olympic Team all in the same year when it’s just February? And to top it he’s been to Iraq. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/10 "2010-02-09T21:21:50Z")
Idiot (IQ below 20), imbecile (20-49) and moron (50-69) are all all clinical terms for mental retardation. Idiot used to appear on U.S. Census forms. I wonder why you can call somebody an idiot, imbecile, or moron with impunity and yet retarded is so touchy. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/11 "2010-02-09T21:29:09Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Idiot (IQ below 20), imbecile (20-49) and moron (50-69) are all all clinical terms for mental retardation. Idiot used to appear on U.S. Census forms. I wonder why you can call somebody an idiot, imbecile, or moron with impunity and yet retarded is so touchy. I’ve heard people say that it really upsets retards, possibly if only because it upsets their family and they influenced the tards in question. It seems like the same rationale would be the same as why it is inappropriate to use the term “colored” or “negro” despite their acceptance in the entire nation not long ago. But black people have decided those terms are insensitive, and currently society honors their decision… ---
**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 9, 2010, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/12 "2010-02-09T22:31:25Z")
When did black people make this “decision?” Cite? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/13 "2010-02-09T22:34:14Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > When did black people make this “decision?” Cite? It was in 1987, at the annual “Black People Meeting” in Detroit. The meetings have really gone downhill lately, I haven’t been to one in years. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/14 "2010-02-09T22:35:14Z")
> [@Eternal](#): > > I’ve heard people say that it really upsets retards, possibly if only because it upsets their family and they influenced the tards in question. It seems like the same rationale would be the same as why it is inappropriate to use the term “colored” or “negro” despite their acceptance in the entire nation not long ago. But black people have decided those terms are insensitive, and currently society honors their decision… I think ‘negro’ is considered more outdated than insensitive. ‘Colored’ depends largely on the context; I’ve known Midwesterners and Canadians who grew up in areas with no black population who have used the term honestly not knowing it’s no longer used and when they’d refer to ‘colored people’ blacks would usually respond with a double-take and a laugh. > [@RandMcnally](#): > > It was in 1987, at the annual “Black People Meeting” in Detroit. The meetings have really gone downhill lately, I haven’t been to one in years. I went to one a few years ago, but didn’t get to attend any sessions. The time schedules for the panels were all in ‘Black People Time’ and my watch was set on Central so I never could figure when anything was meeting. ---
**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 9, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/15 "2010-02-09T22:37:06Z")
> [@Eternal](#): > > Colbert Report said everything it had to say by the end of the first week. Just like the Daily Show, you know how everything is going to play out before the show starts. Bears, bees, irony, sarcasm… yeah, I see what you’re doing guy… > > Although you do have to admire the outrageousness of him attacking a public figure that his entire audience hates. That takes both skill and courage. And it’s not like there’s anything in it for him… > > See, that’s my Colbert impression. Not a very accurate one. That takedown of Palin actually was very skillful. It takes a lot of ability to be able to say the words “Sarah Palin is a fucking retard” in such a way that it’s completely inoffensive and unassailable. By the way, that was really courageous of Palin to take shots at Obama in front of a bunch of teabaggers. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/16 "2010-02-09T22:43:24Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Idiot (IQ below 20), imbecile (20-49) and moron (50-69) are all all clinical terms for mental retardation. Idiot used to appear on U.S. Census forms. I wonder why you can call somebody an idiot, imbecile, or moron with impunity and yet retarded is so touchy. For that matter, the Social Security Administration still uses the term “mental retardation” in disability cases. Cite: [http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12.05%20Mental%20Retardation](http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12.05%20Mental%20Retardation) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/17 "2010-02-09T22:58:13Z")
> [@Eternal](#): > > Colbert Report said everything it had to say by the end of the first week. Just like the Daily Show, you know how everything is going to play out before the show starts. Bears, bees, irony, sarcasm… yeah, I see what you’re doing guy… By your logic, I already know what’s going to be on the news: people telling me what’s going on. > [@](#): > > See, that’s my Colbert impression. Please tell me you don’t think that is funny. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That was brilliant. He actually got to say “Sarah Palin is a fucking retard” on national television (pretty awesome all by itself) and, by her own logic, she can’t complain about it. I’m disappointed in you. You expect Palin to use logic? ---
**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 9, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/18 "2010-02-09T22:58:26Z")
“Mental Retardation” is still used as a clinical diagnosis. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2010, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/19 "2010-02-09T23:03:07Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Idiot (IQ below 20), imbecile (20-49) and moron (50-69) are all all clinical terms for mental retardation. Idiot used to appear on U.S. Census forms. I wonder why you can call somebody an idiot, imbecile, or moron with impunity and yet retarded is so touchy. > [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > For that matter, the Social Security Administration still uses the term “mental retardation” in disability cases. Cite: [http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12.05%20Mental%20Retardation](http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/12.00-MentalDisorders-Adult.htm#12.05%20Mental%20Retardation) I think that’s part of the problem. “Retard” or forms of the word are still used as an official designation _and_ a general term of contempt. So if you have the government declaring your child is retarded and an agent of the government using “retard” in a perjorative manner, yeah, I can see how that could be upsetting – not that I don’t think Palin is a hypocritical grand-stander. > [@Eternal](#): > > It seems like the same rationale would be the same as why it is inappropriate to use the term “colored” or “negro” despite their acceptance in the entire nation not long ago. I’ve never been sure why “negro” went from being a generally accepted term one that shouldn’t be uttered in polite society except in very limited contexts. However, I have heard speeches by southern segregationists in which “negro” something like “NIGgre” – I had to listen again to be sure they weren’t saying “nigger.” I don’t think it was all down to regional accent either, as I’ve heard less racists people of similar background use the word and the distinction is clear. I’m fairly confident the speaker was deliberately appealing to the racists in the audience without actually using a term that would give others a reason to attack him. If this was at all common, it’s no wonder non-racists and the objects of racism became uncomfortable with the word. ---
**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 9, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293/20 "2010-02-09T23:10:06Z")
Ah, yes, the hybrid, “nigra.” The “I’m not touching you” of racial slurs. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-you-should-watch-the-colbert-report/528293.md?page=2)