'Ready for a retarded president?'

yep, It was clearly a joke about President Blutarsky.

He said this on Conan O'Brien last night, too. For a better entertainment-based posting, Frank should've watched the "Chris Matthews" show last week where they showed the Nostradamus-like SNL sketch where Will Ferrell played Bush sitting down to decide the election with Gore at a local Chi-Chis. Bush says, "maybe I'll start a war, that's like an execution only super-sized."

Strangely prescient.

He may have his tenses wrong, but it's obvious which "retarded" president Rock is referring to. Personally, I think referring to the current resident in the White House as such, does the mentally-challenged a great disservice, many are more capable than "the decider".

Jeff/Bill, I saw that SNL skit on Chris Matthews last Sunday.

That was dead-on funny and it was done BEFORE W. and the NeoCons started invading Countries for no good reason.

"Maybe I'll start a war,it'd be like a Texas execution supersized."

John E., what about how the Will Ferrell Bush kept referring to Dick Cheney as his boss and worrying how difficult it'll be to work for him? And the Gore character kept trying to explain to him that he'd be Dick Cheney's boss!

Eery and on target.

I don't think it's fair to call W. retarded.
Paulo's retarded and he's not the Vice President.

That remark is in bad taste.

Bush is an idiot, true, but there's no reason to drag people with mental disabilities into it.

I'm so sick and tired of Hollywood using the word "retarded" as an easy joke. When you've lived with and cared for a developmentally disabled (the PC term now that all you comedians out there made "retard" the butt of your jokes) person an entire life, there's absolutely nothing funny about it. Dear Mr. Rock, President George W. Bush is stupid, misguided, inappropriate and even dangerous - he is not a mentally retarded person. Gosh, if a white comedian substituted the N-word for "African-American" in Chris Rock's joke, he'd be getting hate mail by the pound and death threats. We still feel it's acceptable to make fun of and hate those who are most vulnerable. I'll never spend one dime on anything Chris Rock does ever again.

Ok....ok...I'll settle this here and now....

What Chris Rock MEANT was that our President IS A MORON!

And in that respect....I gotta agree with Chris.

Hey, gay guy here trying to restore some reason and sanity to this country.

Isn't this SUPPOSED to be the land of free speech? So what if people use retarded, n*&%#r and f*#@@&t?

Yes, they are offensive words, but THATS THE POINT OF FREE SPEECH! You're supposed to be able to say what you want no matter how unpopular it is.

People NEED to be offended on a regular basis. It means we're USING these freedoms (whats left of 'em) people talk about but don't even know what they mean. Being offended keeps people on their toes.

People should not have to apologize or go into (bogus) rehab because they said a word that some people don't like.

People have called me a LOT of worse things than f*ggot. Letting people actually speak usually reveals their intelligence and/or lack thereof.

Let the PC BS end.

I'd love to see this posted (& as written), but I know your paper is to cowardly to do so.

I was right, I had to change certain words (guess which ones) to get this considered for publlication. How sad for us all.

According to Webster's the definition of retarded is: "sometimes offensive : slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress"

There is, therefore nothing at all wrong with Mr Rock describing George W Bush as retarded since Mr. Bush absolutely fits the classic description of retarded as given in the dictionary.

I have no problem with the use of the word retarded to describe "W" at all. It is an accurate, true and correct description. Congratulations to Chris Rock for the proper use of the English language.

This is great; A kerfuffle in a shoe box with a horny weasel doing back flips.

tom,

I've spent an awful lot of time and energy sticking up for "you guys" lately,how about at least admitting that we were a far more prosperous and peaceful nation when Bubba was in charge compared to the current GOP clown whom the Evangelical/NeoCon crowd has bestowed upon us???

I think Chris Rock is spot-on with his commentary.

I use the term "developmentally disabled" to refer to people who face challenges with their intellectual development throughout their lives.

I use the term "retarded" to refer to people like George W. Bush. Retarded people are guys like him who have the opportunity to use their education and intelligence for a better world, but for whatever reason just shoot from the hip and ignore good advice in delicate situations such as foreign policy.

Wait a comedian said something politically incorrect? Stop the presses! This has to be front page of the Tribune. He's a comedian, they make jokes.

He shoulds said "generally challenged" to avoid insulting the developmentally disabled. The President was in too deep on day one, handpicked for his last name by men who have overun his authority and dictated administration policy. Warren G. Harding was a giant in comparison. Chain Man is worse than Spiro Agnew. How are we in this shape?

Note the spelling and grammar mistakes of the above people calling the president "retarded". Sort of ironic, isn't it?

I have to agree with Tom. Isn't that the reason why the KKK were allowed to march in Skokie (and Jewish ACLU lawyers stood up for their right to do so)? And that Larry Flynt won against Falwell in the Supreme Court? If we have to put up with Woody Harrelson and Courtney Love making a movie that lionizes Larry Flynt, the VERY LEAST we can do is exercise the right to be offensive that he, the KKK and other offensive people fought for.

Retard for President? 2 out of the last 3 have been mental. Bush 1 and Bush 2.

Using "retarded" is only wrong when it is used in jest just as it was used by Chris Rock. The problem is that we make fun of certain people by calling them "retarded." Would it have been any better if he called Bush a "mongoloid" or "mentally challenged" or "handicapped?" I don't think so.

Retarded is an accurate term for a certain subset of mentally challenged people. It only started to become taboo once schoolchildren got wind of the word, saw that it was funny and used it to tease other kids.

Its similar to calling someone a "Jew" because they are frugal. There is nothing wrong with the word "Jew," but its how its used that matters.

The N word, however, is a completely different story. There is no place for that word in our society -- black or white.

We'll try this again. I thought the "retarded" hypocritical censors at the LIBune would censor this so I saved it.

I don't know, looking at all the posts here from the Loony Left it is quite clear that the true retards in the world are those from the Loony Left: Perpetually stupid and ignorant, unable to be reasoned with, sick in their thinking, jokes of human beings, and just plain the scum of all the worst this planet has to offer. Yep, sounds like the Loony Left to me. In fact, to call you scum retarded really is offensive to retarded or mentally disabled people. They are that way through no fault of their own, what excuse does the Loony Left have?

Okay, so Mr. Rock is unhappy with President Bush. I am also, and I voted for him twice. (My displeasure with him has to do with the way he is doing some aspects of the job, not his goals). The problem I have with many of the people on the left is words they use to show thier unhappiness. Mr. Rock and others seem to like to sink to the level of high school name calling when disagreeing with the current administration. I guess they find this less work than explaining why they disagree.

Aaron, I wish for your sake you would rethink your take on the word retarded. Just because you have certain definitions for the words you are using does not mean they are the definitions of the rest of the country.

tom, I agree with you that people should be able to say whatever they want. However, I feel like the taboo around the words you mentioned are very clear in our society. However, when it comes to "retard", people are using it more and more flippantly. I hear it in the workplace constantly, and it is on TV and radio every day as well. This is not a group of people who are going to organize and start a media blitz when a character on a sitcom says, "Stop being such a retard." They have more important struggles in life. But that does not mean it isn't wrong to throw the word around. Personally, I'm sick of hearing it and often let people know I find it offensive.

I'm glad the Tribune bothered to mention this as this issue has gotten worse - even if it's to mention something a comedian said. It is not right to insult people who tackle more in a month than the rest of us do in a year.

No thanks....we already have one.

Mr. Rock and others seem to like to sink to the level of high school name calling when disagreeing with the current administration. I guess they find this less work than explaining why they disagree.

Posted by: Rolland Fitch | Mar 15, 2007 8:17:23 AM

I guess you're not a big fan of John D. and Paulo
either. Their sandbox talk has haunted this blog
for sometime now. Trouble is....they aren't from the left. Would you like to amend that to anyone that name calls?

I periodically see men in orange vests that say "Help Retarded Kids". I am referring to the Knights of Columbus candy sales.

I just can't buy the context argument in the use of this word. The dictionary definition is accurate in both Rock's framing of his joke and in the Knights' use on vests.

Ready, willing, and able. Bring on the next one!!!

Well, by stand-up comedy standards, this isn't a great offense. In terms of what he's saying, though, it's tiresome. People just call the President "dumb" because they get a juvenile thrill out of showing such crass disrespect for a traditional authority figure. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, however, President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion. Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war.

I don't think he should be insulting the many, many wonderful mentally handicapped people with George Bush.

Also, I am getting sooooooo sick of hearing the term "Loony Left" on this site. Hey all those posters what start a sentence with "Loony Left" why don't you post something positive about your Ridicoulus Right instead. Tell me just one positive thing thats happened in the last 7 years. Just one...

I wonder how Chris (I can't stand him) Rock would have responded to the question is America ready for the first Italian-American president, A la Guiliano?
Nobody asks that question, or maybe they think Rudy is White?

He should have used the more politically correct word "moron" instead.

I love Chris Rock- he has cracked me up for years. It was a funny line-

It says more about Chris than it says about Bush.

Ann Coulters F word says more about her than her target.

Graceless, cheap, easy , thoughtless

We want it both ways- it is easy to defend free speech- hard to deal with the consequences when it is directed at you.

If we truly believed in the free speech line- nothing would be off limits. Common sense and decency should be what guides us first.. the constitutional amendment only guarantees your right to speek freely, it does nothing to limit your exposure to others free speech.

People, he's a comedian! He's not a politician or one of the people you demand absolute perfect behavior from all the time. He's not making any claim to being an example or a leader for any group of people. He's never been elected to any office and anyone is free to not purchase his products (comedy concerts, movies and albums) if they have a problem with something he says.

Has political correctness gotten so bad in this country that we use it against people who have nothing to do with politics whatsoever?

Plus, to everyone saying what he said would've been just as effective if he omitted the offending word, you obviously don't know a thing about comedy!

Bush has been called a moron by so many people in so many uncreative ways (check John E. for examples) that that horse has been beaten to death. It's like Clinton and philandering, the joke needs to have some type of new angle to even be funny anymore, because it's been around for so long.

Rock found a new angle and tied it in creatively to the ongoing Obama Obasm. Someone from Life (and Conan O'Brien) asked Rock if he thought the counry was ready for an African American President. Rock turned the question on its head by shifting the focus away from his own race, a minority, and claimed another minority who's never had a member as President has actually beaten African Americans to the White House, all the while making the claim that Bush is mentally-challenged.

Be offended all you want by the use of the term "retarded" but at least understand that it was a funny joke and that if it had been told in any other way it would've lost all its creativity and power.

I still think the SNL sketch was funnier. Give it its own post, Frank!

Oh, and John E., I don't want to speak for him, but I'd be willing to bet money that Tom is better off without you speaking on his behalf. Notice the deafening silence from him since your offer.

Nora:

1) Libya dismantling their WMD program after the invasion of Iraq.

2) An effective tax-cut program that warded off a recession.

3) North Korea FINALLY showing signs of living up to a useful, accountability-based (ie six party) agreement to dis-arm their Nuclear Arms program rather than continuing their work on Nuclear arms under the protection of a worthless scrap of paper from 1994.

4) Terrorists on the run so that they cannot implement Khalid Sheik-Mohammed's "second wave" of attacks in the US.

Nora, I'll cite several good things in the past 6 years (I know the Loony Left like you don't understand a president's term begins after the election, in Bush's case about Jan. 20, 2001, so that makes it six years, not seven).

Anyway, tax cuts for all, the lowest wage earners no longer paying a federal income tax, economic growth every quarter since the first quarter of 2002, low unemployment rate (mid 4s), burgeoning democracies in Middle East, better education practices, judges who follow the constitution rather than their activist ideas, White Sox winning the World Series in 2005. Need more, Nora?

People just call the President "dumb" because they get a juvenile thrill out of showing such crass disrespect for a traditional authority figure. Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, however, President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion. Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war.
Posted by: A2 | Mar 15, 2007 9:01:46 AM

No A2 - people call Dubya "dumb" because, after seeing the policies and actions that he has undertaken in the past 6 years, we can't come up with a better reason for his doing what he's done. Just one example: invading and occupying a country halfway around the world WITHOUT HAVING A PLAN on how to run the country. Is that not "dumb"?

Actually, "dumb" is YOUR comment that anyone who disagrees with your post is a "pro-Saddamer".

What's actually annoying is the fact that the word 'retarded' is used more politically incorrect in our society than it is used to described the mentally slow or whatever other 'please-don't-offend-anyone' P.C. term you choose to use. So what's the problem here? He's a comedian. Comedians are politically incorrect. That's what makes them so funny. And don't act like you've never called anyone a retard or retarded while your tossing judgments around today.

Per A-Squared:

Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, however, President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion...Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war.

---

You of course betray your bias with the silly comment about "pro-saddamers." If you can't comprehend that there's a wide gap between being anti-war and pro-Saddam, then it makes sense that you haven't noticed anything "glaringly unintelligent" about Bush.

Bush is not unintelligent relative to the general population. But he is glaringly unintelligent when compared to others in high governmental positions, let alone the president. We've been listening to him stammer and speechify for the last 6 1/2 years and he virtually everything he says is simplistic and mundane. Watch any of his press conferences and you realize that he cannot think on his feet.

To top that off, he still seems incapable of reading his speeches in a way that conveys understanding, even though he's given speeches almost every day since 2000. He doesn't get it.

Bush is not retarded, of course, but the fact that your best defense is that he's not "glaringly unintelligent" is faint praise indeed.

e is certainly has certainly set the lowest bar for any president during the age of recorded sound.

This message is for Tom, "free-speech" guy.

I wish people would get this concept straight. Free speech means that the GOVERNMENT cannot censor you, except in rare occassions. In particular, it is a theory of our Constituion that democracy works best when its citizens can criticize its leaders.

It has NOTHING TO DO with private citizens being offended with what other people say. In fact, aren't they just exercising their own free speech when they complain that Chris Rock's comments are insensitive or offensive?

Whether those people complaining are over-sensitive is another question. Maybe they are, but can we please leave free speech out of it when it's not actually relevant?

As raving loon has pointed out many times, I ma the blogger who works with Developmentally Disabled adults(the term "retarded has become passe).

I must say, that I have encountered several clients in my 22 years as a professional that could do a better job than many poeple currently in office at all levels. LAugh if you want, but they are not subject to the same level of greed and avarice than our "normal" politicians.

And to Hillary, I work with at least 20 clients who I feel could be more sincere and loyal to those they serve tnat you could!!!!

Even comedians use the wrong word sometimes. A better word to describe the object of his comment, clearly the Current Occupant, would have been "moron". As far as I know, there is no association to champion the cause of morons, and therefore no one to offend by using that label. On the other hand, a comedian making a political comment without offending anyone is pretty pointless!

Chris Rock was a school dropout at age 17. He is hardly qualified to judge the intelligence level of anyone. The Tribune's quoting him says more about the Tribune news department's political leanings than it does about one more Hollywood non-educated "elitist" making comments with more malice than foundation.

if anyone is offended by Chris Rock's remark, it would be W Bush. Then again, I am not sure if he knows what retarded means.

people, this PC thing is crap! no one is talking about a certain group of people. stop self loving yourselves! if you need attention, look in the mirror!

hmmm, I wonder what Rudy's middle name is?

What is worse, Ann Coulter calling John Edwards "gay" and saying it was just a schoolyard taunt, or Chris Rock saying that the current occupant is a little less than 100%?

But for the original question . . .have we not seen several fictional African-American Presidents on TV and in the movies lately? I don't watch 24, but the neocons love that show, what with all the cool torture and stuff, and wasn't one of its presidents Black?

Yes, it's diversity casting to satisfy certain "elements" who insist that our media not show a world that's 99.9% White, but I think there may be more to this issue.

"President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion. Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war."

I could go on for hours on this one, but I'll try to be brief. And just for the record, I've never said here that "Bush is dumb." I think he's cynical and evil, but "dumb" like a fox.

Mark my words, this recent conscious aside into the morality of gays in the military is the GOP '08 campaigns opening shot across the bow. Its pretty much election time (too early in my book) so its time to talk about gays again. Please watch as the GOP tries to shift blame onto gay men in the uniformed military. I predict an increase in removals of homosexuals in the next 18 months. How's that for "supporting the troops?"

Invading a sovereign nation who is not a threat using too few troops and no plan for the aftermath: dumb.

Ceaselessly cutting taxes for upper-income earners while increasing discretionary spending AND spending billions of dollars every week on a war of choice: dumb.

Not being able to pronounce a 7 letter word that is part of every day lexicon such as nuclear, not n-u-c-u-l-a-r, phononetically: dumb.

Removing ARABIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS from the military because of their sexual orientation: DUMB!

I could go on and on, but that's a good start.

"President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion. Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war."

I could go on for hours on this one, but I'll try to be brief. And just for the record, I've never said here that "Bush is dumb." I think he's cynical and evil, but "dumb" like a fox.

Mark my words, this recent conscious aside into the morality of gays in the military is the GOP '08 campaigns opening shot across the bow. Its pretty much election time (too early in my book) so its time to talk about gays again. Please watch as the GOP tries to shift blame onto gay men in the uniformed military. I fully expect an increased purge of homosexuals from the enlisted ranks, deflecting accountability away from the Administration's failures and bashing their favorite scapegoat all at once. How's that for "supporting the troops?"

Invading a sovereign nation who is not a threat using too few troops and no plan for the aftermath: dumb.

Ceaselessly cutting taxes for upper-income earners while increasing discretionary spending AND spending billions of dollars every week on a war of choice: dumb.

Not being able to pronounce a 7 letter word that is part of every day lexicon such as nuclear, not n-u-c-u-l-a-r, phononetically: dumb.

Removing ARABIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS from the military because of their sexual orientation: DUMB!

I could go on and on, but that's a good start. And just because Bush did something "dumb" doesn't mean he didn't do it on purpose or for a reason.

"President Bush hasn't done anything glaringly unitelligent, in my opinion. Okay, come on, let me have it, you pro-Saddamers, with your moral outrage about the war."

I could go on for hours on this one, but I'll try to be brief. And just for the record, I've never said here that "Bush is dumb." I think he's cynical and evil, but "dumb" like a fox.

Mark my words, this recent conscious aside into the morality of gays in the military is the GOP '08 campaigns opening shot across the bow. Its pretty much election time (too early in my book) so its time to talk about gays again. Please watch as the GOP tries to shift blame onto gay men in the uniformed military. I fully expect an increased purge of homosexuals from the enlisted ranks, deflecting accountability away from the Administration's failures and bashing their favorite scapegoat all at once. How's that for "supporting the troops?"

Invading a sovereign nation who is not a threat using too few troops and no plan for the aftermath: dumb.

Ceaselessly cutting taxes for upper-income earners while increasing discretionary spending AND spending billions of dollars every week on a war of choice: dumb.

Not being able to pronounce a 7 letter word that is part of every day lexicon such as nuclear, not n-u-c-u-l-a-r, phononetically: dumb.

Removing ARABIC LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS from the military because of their sexual orientation: DUMB!

I could go on and on, but that's a good start. And just because Bush did something "dumb" doesn't mean he didn't do it on purpose or for a reason.

I do not feel that Chris did the mentally challenged any justice when insinuating that Bush is retarded. He is far beyond retarded as far as I am concerned. How about and IDIOT!

Any intelligent person wouldn't even know who Chris Rock is let alone listen to the jerk about anything.

Must be a lot of losers out there who have time to listen to him.

I guarantee all of the people commenting here about freedom of speech were never in the military to defend that right. They enjoy the freedom to do so but are too cowardly to serve their country.

I guarantee that ass hole Chris Rock never served to defend the freedom of speech that he enjoys.

Have a nice day losers.

To Thomas L,

Are you kidding me? The problem with this country is that we are running ourselves into the ground with this PC-crap. I wish it would stop. Pretty soon, we're all going to have to stop talking period, in the great fear that we'll offend ONE stinking person. I have news for you and for everyone else who feels that way, grow up.

Fear of anything is giving it more power.

Btw, I'm totally offended by your comment. You better apologize to me and only me and then get yourself into a "rehab". Whatever.

What the heck happened to this country? Celebrities and normal people alike are so afraid of uttering a word.

Frank,

I don't know what disability advocates (I'm one) will be saying to Chris Rock or how the message will even get through.

It's kind of ironic, though. You should read your own paper - the comic strip "For Better or For Worse" is doing a story line on the word "retarded" as it's generally inflicted on people in high schools.

That's this week. Today's paper, in fact.

And I know that *lots* of disability advocates are talking about the comic strip in your paper right now. They'll get pasted on a lot of doors.

Maybe Chris Rock's comments can be just forgotten - or maybe we could just find a way to send him this week's story line of "For Better or For Worse."

Bush has only been in six years. It sure seems a lot longer than that.

To Ed Babulski:

So where in the Constitution does it say you have to defend this country to enjoy the right of free speech. Nobody has been drafted in this country since like 1975, it is your choice to be where you want to be. If you don't like defending the rights of the people of the USA them don't.But don't cry about when you do make that choice. I get so sick of hearing you Jarheads using that as a Crutch.

Many individual's feel that the current president is either impaired by sometype of substance or mentally challenged, why should Chris Rock not feel any different.

Nora:

1) Libya dismantling their WMD program after the invasion of Iraq.

2) An effective tax-cut program that warded off a recession.

3) North Korea FINALLY showing signs of living up to a useful, accountability-based (ie six party) agreement to dis-arm their Nuclear Arms program rather than continuing their work on Nuclear arms under the protection of a worthless scrap of paper from 1994.

4) Terrorists on the run so that they cannot implement Khalid Sheik-Mohammed's "second wave" of attacks in the US.

_________________________________________________

1. Libya-Actually the UN sanctions more then anything ended Libya's WMD policies. UN sanctions isolated Libya for years, and thats what brought them to the table. Bush did not bring this to the forfront, but more the United Nations.

2. Taxes-Don't get me started. What temporarily warded off a recession is the real estate market and also Americans using the credit cards to buy things. I don't think the top 1% getting tax breaks has really has really helped me and the other posters on the board.

3. North Korea is finally beginning to turn around because we FINALLY are ending the 5 party negotitations policy with them.

4. Maybe Bushes policies have prevented another attack, but I don't think the people of Spain, England and Austrailia will think his policies have worked. While they might not attack us here, they are still attacking other cities and other countries.

I have two thoughts about Chris Rock's statement. Knowing that he's a comedian, and pretty savvy, it was a slap-down on GWB and putting BO on the front page. He knows the media will grab it and run, forever! They'll say something like, "See what a Black man said about another Black man." Folks, don't steal my tag.

"Perpetually stupid and ignorant, unable to be reasoned with, sick in their thinking, jokes of human beings, and just plain the scum of all the worst this planet has to offer. Yep, sounds like the Loony Left to me. In fact, to call you scum retarded really is offensive to retarded or mentally disabled people." - John D

Wow, John D, that's brilliant insight, and mature to boot. You must have great people skills. Why are you so filled with vitriol?

Nora, I'll cite several good things in the past 6 years (I know the Loony Left like you don't understand a president's term begins after the election, in Bush's case about Jan. 20, 2001, so that makes it six years, not seven).

Anyway, tax cuts for all, the lowest wage earners no longer paying a federal income tax, economic growth every quarter since the first quarter of 2002, low unemployment rate (mid 4s), burgeoning democracies in Middle East, better education practices, judges who follow the constitution rather than their activist ideas, White Sox winning the World Series in 2005. Need more, Nora?

_________________________________________________

-Tax cuts have really not affected the middle class. Infact, they pay for it in other areas.

-Low wage earners still earn $5.15 a hour. How can a compassionate conservative defend this wage. When every other area in your life has gone up in price (housing, gas, food,etc) not paying a federal tax is a drop in the bucket.

-Underemployment does not equal a low unemployment. Also the figure does not include those who have been unemployed for longer then a year or those who have dropped out of the job market all together.

-burgeoning democracies in Middle East-outside of Afghanistan (which i actually supported going into) I think we can agree that democracy in Iraq seems to be making the streets run with blood and destroying a country. Democracy is not something that another country gives you, you earn democracy on your own. The Revolutionary war did not start because another country thought we should be democractic. The colonists earned it by going to war themselves with England.

-judges-I think this week we have seen the issues with the executive branch interfering with the judicial branch. Just ask Gonzales how successful this was.

-White Sox. Maybe I will give you that one. But I am not to positive about their upcoming season.

Again with the baby boomer pc revolution. The freedom of speech gives the KKK the right to march and the ALCU its various platforms. You may not like what people are saying, but we all have the right to say things, worship things, earn a living, drink clean water, etc. Stop being ignorant and realize why we are here. That is why people came to this wilderness between Canada and Mexico.

PS - If you had heard any of Chris Rock's stand up routine, you will realize that this is nothing close to offensive. He is brilliant and honest. That is why people dislike him. When we stop talking about the color of a candidate, that is when we have truly progressed.

Reply to Thomas L

"It has NOTHING TO DO with private citizens being offended with what other people say. In fact, aren't they just exercising their own free speech when they complain that Chris Rock's comments are insensitive or offensive?"

It has everythng to do with private citizens being offended. Have you not heard presidents (Nixon i.e.), the military (bombs for Iraq painted with expletives) and police (Mark Fuhrman) use these words?

Yes, those offended ARE exercising their right to free speech, just as Chris Rock is exercising HIS right.

If you don't like what he says - tough. If you agree w/ him - great. I really don't care. A place of business has a right (within reason) to determine an employees conduct. Private citizens have no such rules.

People use these terms CONSTANTLY, it's just not talked about in polite company. Our poor "sensitive" ears aren't used to hearing it in the mainstream press.

I've never seen any psych tests taken by the president, it's fully possible he is retarded. Offended? Good.

Even the president himself has admitted he has a less than stellar academic backgroud: He once proclaimed (I believe it was at a commencement ceremony)"Even a C student can become president of the United States". He would have never gotten into Yale were it not for his dad, a former Alumus, Valedictorian and president.

I think almost everyone here is missing part of the point I think C Rock was trying to make - The question "is America ready for an African American President" is in itself offensive in that it:

1. implies that there is some inherent difference between African Americans and others strictly based upon their physical appearance, and
2. that "America" wouldn't be "ready" for it, as if African-Americans weren't already citizens of this country.

It's nearly as stupid as asking "is America ready for a blue eyed president?". The point is, the question shouldn't even need to be asked. So personally I think C Rock's reply was in a way attempting to show how stupid a question it was, while taking a stab at Bush at the same time. I'm certain the only mentally challenged person he meant to offend was GW.

This is a tempest in a teapot, although it shows how confused we are about free speech and comedy. Chris Rock chose that word to get attention and make a point, seems he succeeded. Got more attention than many well reasoned, intellectual anaylyses of W's shortcomings and failures. BTW just read and interesting psychological analysis of W which suggests he has Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Which sounds much more likely than that he is 'retarded' but doesn't make a good sound bite.

P.S. There have been 2 African-American presidents on 24, including the present wounded President Palmer.

Nora, the lowest wage earners no longer pay a federal income tax because of the Bush tax cuts. I would think an alleged compassionate liberal such as yourself would be in favor of the lowest 20 percent of the U.S. workforce keeping their money rathing paying income taxes.

As fat as minimum wage, only about 4 percent of the workforce actually makes that amount of money. Most minimum wage earners are kids in high school. And many states have higher minimum wages. But even in Chicago area, most minimum wage jobs still start pay at higher than the state's minimum wage. My 16-year-old nieces began working at a fast food restaurant in January, starting at 7.50 an hour.

And you are mixing up the ridiculous uproar over U.S. Attorneys with judges. But then those on the Left do have a hard time understanding reality and truths.

As a first month baby boomer, 1/46 I agree with virtually all of you, it is time we get some good old fashioned care givers in the White House.

I want to live and die on the dole from here on out.

I am tired of carrying my weight, its time for someone else, like Grand Uncle Sam to pitch in and do it for me.

Excuse me while I practice, "Waah, Waah, Waah, Waah"

Geeeeez.....do any of you ever check your gnilleps !!

Main Entry: re·tard·ed
Pronunciation: ri-'tär-d&d
Function: adjective
sometimes offensive : slow or limited in intellectual or emotional development or academic progress

Aw shucks!

You mean Barack & Hillary AREN'T mentally, spiritually and emotionally retarded?

George Bush IS a moron.

George Bush IS a moron.

George W is a good ole Texas' boy trying to fill his daddy shoes, some one got to take the heat for the stupidity of Congress.

As for Chris Rock, that is when I hit the mute button on my TV remote control.

First time poster here.

First Thought:
Drew H.....right on. Will someone please come and save me since I'm unable to do it myself......must mean I'm "disadvantaged".

Second Thought:
My God there are a lot of whiners out there. The sign of intelligence is not the ability to bitch, moan, complain, and sow dissention...the true sign of intelligence is in the ability to change your environment. If you don't like what you are faced with, step up and do something about it versus crying for mama. I would love to hear how many of the whiners on this board are actually volunteering their time and effort in supporting a candidate.....and that does not include sitting at your computer and posting rants.....if you want to help facilitate change, get off your butts and get out in front of people.

Anyone questioning Chris Rock's intelligence clearly isn't familiar with his work. He's a lot smarter than some of the posters here. Loony Left, I'm looking at you. Seriously, that was cringeworthy.

Oops, forgot to comment on the rants about tax cuts..........This was forwarded to me - it has been attributed to a couple of different economic professors in the past - I believe it has never been verified as to who the true author is......

Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that every day, ten men go out for dinner and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this: The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59. So, that's what they decided to do.

The ten men ate dinner in the restaurant every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day the owner threw them a curve.

"Since you are all such good customers," he said, "I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily meal by $20." Dinner for the ten now cost just $80.

The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still eat for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to eat their meal.

So, the restaurant owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay. And so: The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings). The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings). The seventh now paid $5 instead of $7 (28% savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to eat for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.

"I only got a dollar out of the $20," declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man," but he got $10!"

"Yeah, that's right," exclaimed the fifth man. "I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than me!"

"That's true!!" shouted the seventh man. "Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!"

"Wait a minute," yelled the first four men in unison. "We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!"

The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.

The next night the tenth man didn't show up for dinner, so the nine sat down and ate without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something very important. They didn't have enough money between them for even half of the bill!

And that, boys and girls, liberals, journalists and college professors is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start eating overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

Okay, here it goes, 2 cents down the drain of a seriously digressed list.

Free Speech, pretty much has been turned into PC speech by those who think they are thoughtful when in reality they are thoughtless and going along with the "in-crowd" just like in junior high. I have about had it with PC terms and their ilk.

Free speech means we all have the right to show our stupidity as much and in whatever what we want, we can all thank the constitution and ACLU for this right, PC people, go bugger someone else with your garbage, I have free will and free speech and a free mind, what about you, or will you keep chasing that keeping up with the Jones'/Johnson's/Smith's the rest of your lives in an effort to "fit in"?

Now as for Mr. Rock's remarks, I think he is correct in his terminology and I don't think he denegrates people with mental disabilities in his statement, as no one really refers to the developmentally or mentally disabled as retards anymore, we call them by whatever condition they have instead of their names, like people. In fact we do this with everyone nowadays, we call them a condition and not by their names, which in and of itself is a denegration of these fine and lovely people. Think about that the next time you hop on that PC bandwagon, who are you pleasing or non-affending and why? What is your motives, what is the purpose of this non-offensive action? Mr. Rock is a comedian, by nature they offend people, get a thicker skin and get over it all ready!!

Putting away soapbox and going back to my piece of the universe.

To Cry Me A River...

Let me guess here:
You never served in the military....
You live with your mama....
You don't bother to vote....
You are very short where it counts....

The first amendment protects you from government restrictions on speech. It doesn't protect you from unpleasant consequences that follow from what you say.

And honestly, why are you reading this if the "PC police" annoy you so much. You could just ignore them and let them be the oversensitive freaks they are. But then you wouldn't get to argue with strangers over the Internet.

To Ed Babulski

Wow. You must have taken first prize on your high school debate team. Such intelligent and well thought out arguments; truly a master of the written word.

Reason and logic must be just the tip of the iceberg to the thought processes.

Thank you for contributing such opinions for the rest of us lowly readers from which to learn and benefit.

Imagine how hilarious Chris Rock would be if he was half as funny as he thought was.Enough with the Bush bashing.It's been done before and better.

"People just call the President "dumb" because they get a juvenile thrill out of showing such crass disrespect for a traditional authority figure. "

I call him dumb because he is intellectually challenged. I call him a war criminal because he's that too, along with the worst president ever.

So, can anyone explain to me,that if the Idiot in
Chief George W Bush isn't a combination of an
Alfred E Newman Mad Magazine Village Idiot,and
Severely Mentally Retarded as well,so then how
did George W Bush and his Looney Toons Idiot
Wife Laura Bush ever manage to have two such
Moronic Retarded Twins like Jenna and Barbara
Bush Junior?..So there,see Low IQ and Mental
Retardation must run in the Bush Family and be
somekind of Defective Gene and Defective DNA,as
after all George W Bush's own Mother Barabara
Bush Sr and Father George H W Bush always looked
and sounded and acted like Retarded Idiots to
me,as well!..And that also must therefore prove
that Karl Rove,Donald Rumsfeld,Delusional Dick
Cheney,Alberto Gonzales and Condooleezza Rice
all come from the Defective DNA pool Enough Said?

To Tom 'Shorty' Emerick:

Ditto my response to Cry Me a River.

Have a nice day Sweetheart!

Mr Bulbarski,

You forgot to add to your post

"You never had a real job"

Does anyone know where I can request more oil from Iraq? I don't think my energy usage is being properly taken care of.

The comment had to refer to the current crop of Democrat Presidential candidates: anyone who believes it's better to retreat from Iraq and invite Muslim killers to fight us on our soil, instead of killing them off over there with our trained killers, has got to be retarded.

Sandy,you are such a sweatheart,and very soft with your comments.Please don't be a stranger.

It is telling Chris didn't name Bush, but everybody even Bush's apparent right wing supporters, believe that Chris is referring to Bush.

This is especially funny, given Chris used the present tense - and maybe he was off - but he could have been referring to the present bunch of candidates.

But we all "knew", even the right-wing.

To Ed Babulski:

And my point has been proven.

You're entitled to your opinion, no matter how irrelevant or juvenile.

What are you? Like 6 years old?

Bruce stated "Note the spelling and grammar mistakes of the above people calling the president "retarded". Sort of ironic, isn't it?",

But they are not the ones running the country. We expect more from our leaders.

I have read all the posts on this topic and it just amazes me who is really dumb.

Bush has defeated every opponent that he has faced from the left, who may I ask is really dumb? Where does that put the lefts mentality/education level? How come the left can't produce a candidate to outsmart, outwit, or think on their feet as fast as Bush? So Bush is dumb/retarded, where does that leave the left? Is there a level of stupidness below dumb/retarded.

I am the father of a mentally retarded child, yes it is offensive for the left to throw such juvinile remarks out there. No it was and is not funny. What I think is sad, all of you that defend Chris Rocks actions and then add to it with your own adhomen attacks on the President of the United States. I am sure that none of you have botched a word while speaking. You are pure and smart. I have news for you, many of you that are attacking GWB for being dumb, have grammar issues, spelling issues and coherant sentence structure issues. I have the same problem, but I am not dumb, nor are you. The difference is that you enjoy disrespecting the CinC and get your jollies of on it.

Mike H.

You almost won me over with your paying-taxes / paying-for-dinner analogy. Problem is, it's not accurate.

To make the dinner scenario truly reflect the tax scenario, you would need to add something that allows the Tenth Man (the richest) to divert some of his share so that it looks like he's paying the same as the others. Then have the restaurant owner hand over a bit of cash to the Tenth Man "under the table" with a wink and a nod. That's a more accurate analogy.

So, yeah, while I do think the rich pay a substantial share of the nation's taxes, we also can't deny the fact that the rich pay far fewer taxes than they want us to think, since they have far more options available to them to shield / hide / divert their wealth.

And that includes in foreign investments. So if you're concerned that the rich will "start eating overseas," then you haven't been paying attention: they started a looooooong time ago. Not because any particular president drove them off, but just because they can.

What? Oh yeah, Chris Rock. Yes, it was kind of insensitive, but as they sing in "Avenue Q": "Everyone's a little bit racist."

I heard Chris Rocks' comment on the mentally challenged, er, "retarded" president, and lol'd in total agreement...no question he was simply inferring what so many feel...this man in the highest office of our land embarrasses me as an American every single time he opens his mouth...he doesn't even have to speak...it looks like even he knows the jig has long been up...i cannot even bear to hear the sound of his whiny, hesitant voice any longer. Chris Rock rocks!