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Obama chief of staff’s 'retarded' insult brings fallout, Palin criticism

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  • Obama chief of staff’s 'retarded' insult brings fallout, Palin criticism

    Dating back to the time he worked in the Clinton administration, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has developed an almost notorious reputation in Washington for being a brash personality with a penchant for profanity-laced diatribes. Conversely, his intense nature, in addition to his sharp mind, are what many attribute to his success and effectiveness as a Washington power player. But a remark he made recently in a closed-door meeting attended by White House aides and leaders of liberal special-interest groups has irked many, prompting him to issue an apology.

    Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Emanuel, exasperated upon learning that liberal special-interest groups were planning to run ads against conservative Democrats not supportive of health care reform, blasted the plan as "f------ retarded" over the summer. Naturally, some outrage ensued after Emanuel's words came to light, with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin taking to her Facebook page to call on President Obama to fire him for what she saw as the equivalent of a racial slur.

    Palin, whose son Trig is afflicted with Down syndrome, said she was informed of Emanuel's comment by a fellow parent of a special-needs child and pleaded with the president to "show decency" to the political process by "eliminating" the Chicago native from his inner circle.

    In a post titled "Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?," Palin wrote, "Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the 'N-word' or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities — and the people who love them — is unacceptable," adding, "it's heartbreaking."

    In response to the outrage expressed by Palin and others, Politico reported today that an administration official informed them that Emanuel had already reached out to Special Olympics chairman and CEO Tim Shriver, who recently launched a campaign to end the use of "the R word."

    "Rahm called Tim Shriver Wednesday to apologize and the apology was accepted," the unnamed official said.

    It should be noted that Emanuel, who is rumored to have once mailed a dead fish to a former coworker he disliked, has not offered any apology to the liberals his slur was aimed at, and it's highly doubtful that he ever will.

    --
    jordanrules..................

  • #2
    and you guys hate Palin..she's sticking up for the Libs.......wheres all the pundits and NAACP leaders speaking on your behalf????
    jordanrules..................

    Comment


    • #3
      the Special PPl should call him the N word in public and see hoe he would feel....the double standard continues...Why isnt he fired already????? Oh wait he is from the corrupt chicago political scene...........what a disgrace
      jordanrules..................

      Comment


      • #4
        Rahm is a little dwarf who Palin could probably kick the shit out of.
        NBA is a joke

        Comment


        • #5
          this is really stretching things, "retarded" ???

          big deal!
          “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

          Gerald Ford

          Comment


          • #6
            If there was no fallout from our fearless leader comparing his bowling to being in the Special Olympics, I highly doubt anything will come of this.

            Good thing though there is no double standard when convering the different parties and players!

            Comment


            • #7
              I'm sure you guys aren't hypocrites, you probably never say retarded. Palin is sticking up for you Jordan. At least husker is being honest.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by BigWeiner View Post
                I'm sure you guys aren't hypocrites, you probably never say retarded. Palin is sticking up for you Jordan. At least husker is being honest.
                what is that supposed to mean? Are you calling me a retard?
                jordanrules..................

                Comment


                • #9
                  Photobucket

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by BigWeiner View Post
                    Photobucket
                    again, what is your point?
                    jordanrules..................

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by BigWeiner View Post
                      Photobucket

                      now YOU are being an ass!
                      “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

                      Gerald Ford

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by husker View Post
                        now YOU are being an ass!
                        Dude, this thread is a joke and you know it, you even said it's ridiculous. Don't get lumped in with these guys that try to make a big deal out of everything.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by BigWeiner View Post
                          Dude, this thread is a joke and you know it, you even said it's ridiculous. Don't get lumped in with these guys that try to make a big deal out of everything.
                          what YOU posted was definitely being an ass!
                          “A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

                          Gerald Ford

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Oh no, know what hypocritical nonsense are you guys gonna have to say



                            Sarah Palin's campaign against the derogatory usage of the word "retard" collided with her campaign to maintain her popularity with conservatives today, with confusing results.

                            A Palin spokeswoman seemed to back away from earlier criticism of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. Yesterday, when asked for comment on Limbaugh's use of the "r" word in a recent broadcast, Palin spokeswoman told Greg Sargent of the Washington Post, "Governor Palin believes crude and demeaning name-calling at the expense of others is disrespectful." Today, Stapleton claims the statement was meant generally and she was not specifically referring to Limbaugh. Still, she declined to say that Palin believes Limbaugh's statements were acceptable. Sargent reprinted the email he sent Stapleton in which he specifically asked about Limbaugh's statement.

                            Palin's non-rebuke rebuke of Limbaugh comes after she called on President Obama, earlier in the week, to fire his chief of staff after using the word. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rahm Emanuel called liberal activists who wanted to run ads against conservative Democrats "f------ retarded" in a closed-door meeting at the White House. On her Facebook page, Palin likened Emanuel's "slur on all God's children with cognitive and developmental disabilities" to using the "N-word," something she deemed "unacceptable" and "heartbreaking." Emanuel later issued an apology to Special Olympics chairman and CEO Tim Shriver.

                            However, Palin's conservative cohort Rush Limbaugh took offense to people, presumably including Palin, protesting Emanuel's remark. On his radio show, Limbaugh lamented that "our political correct society is acting like some giant insult's taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards." That comment caused Greg Sargent to request a reaction from Palin's spokeswoman. It also caused confusion over whether Palin believes Limbaugh's public statements - like Emanuel's private ones - crossed the line.

                            One person who is not letting Limbaugh off the hook is Special Olympics CEO Tim Shriver. Shriver's campaign against the "r" word is the reason Emanuel issued an apology when the controversy initially broke out. Shriver's office exclusively provided Yahoo! News with a strongly worded email he sent to Limbaugh today, part of which reads:

                            As a public figure, you have the great opportunity to influence the hearts and minds of millions of people in this country and around the world. People with intellectual disabilities - the largest group of people with disabilities in the world - have suffered generations of discrimination and humiliation. In the 21st century, they, together with their families and friends, are continuing their battle for the simplest form of justice: the justice that comes with a recognition of their full humanity. In their eyes and in the hearts of millions of others who love and care about them, language is important. So together, we have chosen to try to sensitize others to the pervasive but often ignored prejudice they suffer by asking for a change of language and a change of heart. For you or for anyone else to mock those who strive, often against long odds, for the recognition and respect they deserve, seems gratuitously hurtful and degrading.

                            Our message is as simple as it is powerful: people with intellectual disabilities are human beings. Gaining social recognition of that humanity continues to be an elusive goal for them and for those who love and care about them. For centuries, they have borne the stigma of institutionalization, sterilization, social isolation, and bigotry. The names associated with them - such as "retarded" and "retard" - have for too long been used as cruel taunts.

                            Despite the searing pain that this word (and others) has visited on millions, people with intellectual disabilities have nonetheless persevered to try to gain their dignity. For half a century, mothers, fathers, siblings, and people with intellectual disabilities have worked to open the eyes of the world to the simple truth that each of us has gifts. They do not deserve to be mocked by you."

                            In closing, Shriver calls on Limbaugh to help the mentally disabled by "ending your use of this term and by further using your great influence and position to help others do the same." (Read the whole letter here.)

                            The controversy over the "R-word" comes just as the Special Olympics is gearing up for its second annual "Spread The Word to End the Word" campaign.They have set up a website, R-word.org - Change the conversation..., where people can pledge not to use the word anymore. According to a spokesperson, they're hoping to obtain at least 100,000 pledges to "change the conversation," and as of this writing, they've collected over 55,000 pledges, including Rahm Emanuel's.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by BigWeiner View Post
                              Oh no, know what hypocritical nonsense are you guys gonna have to say



                              Sarah Palin's campaign against the derogatory usage of the word "retard" collided with her campaign to maintain her popularity with conservatives today, with confusing results.

                              A Palin spokeswoman seemed to back away from earlier criticism of conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh. Yesterday, when asked for comment on Limbaugh's use of the "r" word in a recent broadcast, Palin spokeswoman told Greg Sargent of the Washington Post, "Governor Palin believes crude and demeaning name-calling at the expense of others is disrespectful." Today, Stapleton claims the statement was meant generally and she was not specifically referring to Limbaugh. Still, she declined to say that Palin believes Limbaugh's statements were acceptable. Sargent reprinted the email he sent Stapleton in which he specifically asked about Limbaugh's statement.

                              Palin's non-rebuke rebuke of Limbaugh comes after she called on President Obama, earlier in the week, to fire his chief of staff after using the word. According to the Wall Street Journal, Rahm Emanuel called liberal activists who wanted to run ads against conservative Democrats "f------ retarded" in a closed-door meeting at the White House. On her Facebook page, Palin likened Emanuel's "slur on all God's children with cognitive and developmental disabilities" to using the "N-word," something she deemed "unacceptable" and "heartbreaking." Emanuel later issued an apology to Special Olympics chairman and CEO Tim Shriver.

                              However, Palin's conservative cohort Rush Limbaugh took offense to people, presumably including Palin, protesting Emanuel's remark. On his radio show, Limbaugh lamented that "our political correct society is acting like some giant insult's taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards." That comment caused Greg Sargent to request a reaction from Palin's spokeswoman. It also caused confusion over whether Palin believes Limbaugh's public statements - like Emanuel's private ones - crossed the line.

                              One person who is not letting Limbaugh off the hook is Special Olympics CEO Tim Shriver. Shriver's campaign against the "r" word is the reason Emanuel issued an apology when the controversy initially broke out. Shriver's office exclusively provided Yahoo! News with a strongly worded email he sent to Limbaugh today, part of which reads:

                              As a public figure, you have the great opportunity to influence the hearts and minds of millions of people in this country and around the world. People with intellectual disabilities - the largest group of people with disabilities in the world - have suffered generations of discrimination and humiliation. In the 21st century, they, together with their families and friends, are continuing their battle for the simplest form of justice: the justice that comes with a recognition of their full humanity. In their eyes and in the hearts of millions of others who love and care about them, language is important. So together, we have chosen to try to sensitize others to the pervasive but often ignored prejudice they suffer by asking for a change of language and a change of heart. For you or for anyone else to mock those who strive, often against long odds, for the recognition and respect they deserve, seems gratuitously hurtful and degrading.

                              Our message is as simple as it is powerful: people with intellectual disabilities are human beings. Gaining social recognition of that humanity continues to be an elusive goal for them and for those who love and care about them. For centuries, they have borne the stigma of institutionalization, sterilization, social isolation, and bigotry. The names associated with them - such as "retarded" and "retard" - have for too long been used as cruel taunts.

                              Despite the searing pain that this word (and others) has visited on millions, people with intellectual disabilities have nonetheless persevered to try to gain their dignity. For half a century, mothers, fathers, siblings, and people with intellectual disabilities have worked to open the eyes of the world to the simple truth that each of us has gifts. They do not deserve to be mocked by you."

                              In closing, Shriver calls on Limbaugh to help the mentally disabled by "ending your use of this term and by further using your great influence and position to help others do the same." (Read the whole letter here.)

                              The controversy over the "R-word" comes just as the Special Olympics is gearing up for its second annual "Spread The Word to End the Word" campaign.They have set up a website, R-word.org - Change the conversation..., where people can pledge not to use the word anymore. According to a spokesperson, they're hoping to obtain at least 100,000 pledges to "change the conversation," and as of this writing, they've collected over 55,000 pledges, including Rahm Emanuel's.
                              If you want to be taken seriously and you are for ALL people, then you step up to the plate and call him out too !!
                              He who wears diaper knows his shit - Confucius

                              Comment

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