Whenever I see it, I just can't believe it. You actually went there?!
As the parent of a child with special needs, maybe I'm just more sensitive than you are to certain words or phrases that belittle my child.
Scratch that. I like to think that even if my child wasn't developmentally atypical, I'd still be sensitive to hurtful words and sayings that serve no purpose other than to harm.
My friend and YMC colleague Jeni wrote a post recently that expressed a strong opinion. And is often the case, strangers from the internet piped up to offer their feedback. I have no issue with opposing views. Of course, I prefer that you agree with me and even praise me for my brilliant point of view. However, when you disagree I accept your opinion. But when you name call and spew hateful words, I see red.
You think that because you're at home hiding behind your keyboard, that you can say whatever you think? You can be mean or racist or rude because it's your right? Fine, be that way, but just know that when you go on a rant, out loud, on the internet, there are witnesses and consequences.
When you call the author of an article a "libtard" you had better be referring to a liberally fitting unitard. Though we all know what you really mean.
You're calling the author a liberal retard.
If you think adding "tard" to the end of a word makes it any less disgusting than overtly calling somebody retarded, you're wrong.
When you tell somebody that they are acting like a fucktard, you're saying they are acting fucking retarded. Like people like my daughter are idiots worthy of your disdain.
I've heard asstard, gaytard, smacktard, and of course the ever charming but basic, 'tard. And to be politically non-partisan here, I've also heard republitard and conservatard. There are lots more, but just typing these makes a vein in my neck throb.
So go ahead and call me tardy, but I hope to hell you mean that I'm simply late for our lunch date.
To the person who called my friend a libtard, I'm embarrassed for you and I'm glad I don't know you in real life. I wonder, are you somebody's dad? If you are, I hope you don't call people names like that in front of your child. It would be lovely if your kid didn't grow up thinking that my daughter is worthless or ridiculous or stupid because she is mentally retarded.
Feel the urge to call somebody an any-word-will-do-tard? Just don't. In fact, do one better and forgo the name calling altogether. Seriously. Try it. It's what grown ups do.
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