A Souvenir from England
Yes it’s a delightful pet rock. Maybe you could find a littler one?
O.k. if you can carry it then we’ll pack it.
Oopsie, looks like that one won’t be flying “international.”
If by any chance you happen to have a free mo [and which one of us doesn't?] perhaps you could pop along and take a peek at this video about the use of the word “Retard” in the upcoming [already here?] movie called “Tropic Thunder.”
Then, if you still have additional mo’s, you might nip over in support of “ASAN” who are hoping to discourage the use of the “R” word. You might always just comment ‘Rah, Rah, Rah’ instead.
I know that free mo’s are few and far between at this time of year but you can find the “back story and advice” if you nip over here to “Patricia E Bauer’s” discussion.
The comments there are also especially interesting.
You may even wish to add your own opinion to the list, one way, or alternatively the other.
Best wishes
p.s. for a more comprehensive spectrum “Liz Ditz” from “I Speak of Dreams” covers the “start” to present development regarding the “R” word.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:05 am
delightful! I’m curious how you fared on the plane…Now that there are new safety precautions in place, I don’t have to worry any longer about Evan sneaking off to knock on the cockpit door and asking to “hang out”…(age 5)
August 11th, 2008 at 3:03 am
this has long been one of my soapbox topics .. i’m thrilled to add that ASAN video to my arsenal .. thanks for sharing it!
August 11th, 2008 at 3:48 am
This is so interesting that this came up. A very close girlfriend of mine and I were chitchatting on the cells both while driving, and she out of the blue commented “Oh look, a caravan of retard vans!”. I assume she was alluding to a couple of vans holding older people with disabilities, perhaps from a group home or nursing home, going somewhere. I was immediately struck with almost a sick feeling, despite the fact that my Casey is not “retarded” but could be in a van with his camp friends, who also have disablities, other than Autism, and some jerk could drive by them and say the same, and it hurts all around, not just for Case but for all the kids. It hurt right then when I thought about the people on those vans. Sorry to go on, but I felt this story sorta went with this subject for sure! I didn’t take my friend to task, but let her get the feeling I was offended and I think she knew it. I just remarked that so many of those folks have a tough life, it’s sad.
I glanced at the article and comments, and this particular suggestion made me giggle a little:
Paramount/Dreamworks should pull all references to the words “retard,†“imbecile,†“moron†and “idiot†from the movie, DVD, trailers, promotional material and merchandising;
I’m sorry, but I don’t attribute “imbecile,†“moron†and “idiot†to people with disabilities. I attribute them to a lot of people I deal with, especially my boss oddly enough, but not people with disabilities. I think that suggestion is a little much.
Thanks for bringing this up Maddy! Sorry to go on.,,,,
I
August 11th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Oh, and that is too cute that he wanted the rock! Like I always say “Go big!”
August 11th, 2008 at 4:41 am
I find this world of ours has become too Politically correct… even Bonnie just showed that she can attribute words to others if it doesn’t apply to her own child. Which is more than fair… I’m not being rude about it… b/c we all do…
Words exist in this language… I’m sorry if someone’s twisted them to change them to derogratory… personally retard IMO ranks right up there with Autistic… b/c it implies MENTAL RETARDATION which may or may not be true.
It’s a movie… just a movie… if by now we can’t “just go to a movie” and talk to our kids about it afterwards and accept that sex, drugs, rock and roll and ignorant language exist and DISCUSS it with our families… then I can’t do much about it.
This making everything for the lowest common denominator in society has to stop. It’s time people took responsibility for themselves and lived up to that responsibility instead of expecting the “state” to do it for them.
Yep… huge peeve…. Personally, it starts in Public School… and Public School is where they first teach “there’s no such things as consequences”…. So much for the “state”.
S.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:02 am
“This making everything for the lowest common denominator in society has to stop. It’s time people took responsibility for themselves and lived up to that responsibility instead of expecting the “state†to do it for them.”
I would consider taking the word retard out of our vocabulary playing to the HIGHEST common denominator because it is used by the lowest common denominator.
Not sure how the word retard got intertwined with conservative bashing of government.
I also suspect that people who use the word Politically Correct use it as a means to not try to understand people that are different from them. Its an easy way to dismiss the feelings of others without any personal reflection and empathy.
August 11th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Now that is one large rock!!
August 11th, 2008 at 11:16 am
That would have cost you excess luggage! lol
August 11th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Love your son, love his pet rock.
Finally a pet with very low maintenance.
Love,
Suzy
August 11th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Heh; my daughter loved to collect rocks on trips. So I made up the Rule of Rocks: If you want it, you carry it.
That kept things down to a manageable level. At least, until we were on a particular road trip where she managed to slowly accumulate a bucket’s worth of pretty, small rocks.
andrea
August 11th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Oh my gosh! How cute is your son with his pet rock? Might as well go for the biggest and the best.
August 11th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
I took a class called “Legally White” a few months back, we were dissusing racisim in American and its origans. During the course of this class we discussed “words” that we find offensive. Because one person was always using the “R” word, I thought I would use it as an opprotunity to express my disgust with it and why I found it so offensive.
It was amazing to me how many just rolled there eyes and felt like I was making a big deal out of “nothing. It is just a word”.
I find it very offensive and I am very happy someone is speaking out on this. It is long over due!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
My hubby is a rock collector (rock hound), fossil collector. We have buckets of rocks…I have to find a picture…I have one that is remarkably simalar to your son only it is a grown man!
August 11th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
My son also loves rocks! We have them all over the house. Just wanted to say thanks for visiting my site and leaving such a kind comment. Take care.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
He is so CUTE! Love the photos!
I just read about the R word at Cheaper Than Therapy and followed her links.
I share the rage!
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
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Foreigner partner become.
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Ä°f you; Approximate week you guest we bill become.
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Thank you
TURKEY/Rize