U.S. Rep Chuy Garcia calls random twitter user borderline r-

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

Sure, but Garcia is pretty clearly using it as a slur.

[Torie]

The guy is certainly susceptible to being triggered by some dude nobody on the internet. That is not good for one's health.

[Ferguson97]

Agree with the rhetoric, disagree with the policy behind it. FF on balance


That said I can't seem to find this on the news or anywhere -- I assume it's fake.

I saw it with my own two eyeballs, it's real.

Lmao, I'm guessing he deleted it?

Yup. I seriously doubt it was him personally, it was likely a staffer who thought they were on their personal account.

[Aurelius]

People who get offended over "retarded" are pathetic.

[Gracile]

Someone's going to get reprimanded for this-

https://twitter.com/RepChuyGarcia/status/1553373617509093377

[Born to Slay. Forced to Work.]

Tbh that does seem pretty representative of Chicago

[ProudModerate2]

People who get offended over "retarded" are pathetic.

https://twitter.com/RepChuyGarcia/status/1553373617509093377

Cody,
So I guess you think that Congressman Garcia is "pathetic" ... right?

[Aurelius]

People who get offended over "retarded" are pathetic.

https://twitter.com/RepChuyGarcia/status/1553373617509093377

Cody,
So I guess you think that Congressman Garcia is "pathetic" ... right?

On one level this is mere boilerplate that's basically required to stave off further controversy, so whatever. On the other hand, as I've said many times I hate the entire victimology/offense-taking worldview, and Garcia has done his part to advance that worldview so... On the other hand again, politicians should ideally hold themselves to a higher standard in public communication. My problem is with people getting their undies in a bundle over words, not about how politicians should or should not speak in public.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

People who get offended over "retarded" are pathetic.

https://twitter.com/RepChuyGarcia/status/1553373617509093377

Cody,
So I guess you think that Congressman Garcia is "pathetic" ... right?

On one level this is mere boilerplate that's basically required to stave off further controversy, so whatever. On the other hand, as I've said many times I hate the entire victimology/offense-taking worldview, and Garcia has done his part to advance that worldview so... On the other hand again, politicians should ideally hold themselves to a higher standard in public communication. My problem is with people getting their undies in a bundle over words, not about how politicians should or should not speak in public.

I agree.

[ProudModerate2]

People who get offended over "retarded" are pathetic.

https://twitter.com/RepChuyGarcia/status/1553373617509093377

Cody,
So I guess you think that Congressman Garcia is "pathetic" ... right?

On one level this is mere boilerplate that's basically required to stave off further controversy, so whatever. On the other hand, as I've said many times I hate the entire victimology/offense-taking worldview, and Garcia has done his part to advance that worldview so... On the other hand again, politicians should ideally hold themselves to a higher standard in public communication. My problem is with people getting their undies in a bundle over words, not about how politicians should or should not speak in public.

Nice back-pedaling.
But unfortunately ... it didn't work.
So anyway, "whatever."

[Ferguson97]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

Sorry that facts are inconvenient sometimes. I don't go for political correctness from either side and "banning" words and I've been pretty consistent about that.

[Ferguson97]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

Sorry that facts are inconvenient sometimes. I don't go for political correctness and "banning" words and I've been pretty consistent about that.

I don't know why you're being deliberately obtuse about this. Obviously the word retarded is used in contexts not involving mental disability, but this entire discussion is about using it as a slur against those with a mental disability.

It's sort of like saying f@g isn't "inherently a slur" because it can also mean a cigarette or a bundle of sticks. It's borderline bad-faith.

If you want to say a slur, just own up to it.

[Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Bodies for Biden]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

Sorry that facts are inconvenient sometimes. I don't go for political correctness and "banning" words and I've been pretty consistent about that.

I don't know why you're being deliberately obtuse about this. Obviously the word retarded is used in contexts not involving mental disability, but this entire discussion is about using it as a slur against those with a mental disability.

It's sort of like saying f@g isn't "inherently a slur" because it can also mean a cigarette or a bundle of sticks. It's borderline bad-faith.

If you want to say a slur, just own up to it.

I've got three psychological conditions that have debilitated me to a large extent. I will own up to it.

[Anti Democrat Democrat Club]

This is why we don't drink and use the bird app

[SevenEleven]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

"Tard" itself just means slow or late.

[DaleCooper]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

I refuse to let the easily-offended take that word.

[Hammy]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

Sorry that facts are inconvenient sometimes. I don't go for political correctness and "banning" words and I've been pretty consistent about that.

I don't know why you're being deliberately obtuse about this. Obviously the word retarded is used in contexts not involving mental disability, but this entire discussion is about using it as a slur against those with a mental disability.

It's sort of like saying f@g isn't "inherently a slur" because it can also mean a cigarette or a bundle of sticks. It's borderline bad-faith.

If you want to say a slur, just own up to it.

As someone who is both autistic and has been on the recieving end of the word "retard" countless times, I'm going to agree with Scott on this, especially given the context it was used here.

[ProgressiveModerate]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

This is almost as dumb as OSR's "groomer can me multiple things" comment.

Sorry that facts are inconvenient sometimes. I don't go for political correctness and "banning" words and I've been pretty consistent about that.

I don't know why you're being deliberately obtuse about this. Obviously the word retarded is used in contexts not involving mental disability, but this entire discussion is about using it as a slur against those with a mental disability.

It's sort of like saying f@g isn't "inherently a slur" because it can also mean a cigarette or a bundle of sticks. It's borderline bad-faith.

If you want to say a slur, just own up to it.

As someone who is both autistic and has been on the recieving end of the word "retard" countless times, I'm going to agree with Scott on this, especially given the context it was used here.

Whenever anyone says the R word to me I always think it's ironic.

I tend to not be offended by it unless someone is using it in a personally degrading manor, though ideally, I think people should avoid the word.

[DaleCooper]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

there's also a difference between saying "the bill would retard the transition from fossil fuels to renewable" and "this post is retarded" so

Both are acceptable uses of the word.

[Saint Milei]

So can I call atlas posters this word without getting banned or nah

[Badger]

Regardless of one's stance on this issue, Garcia's response here was classless and unnecessary.

[Ferguson97]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

there's also a difference between saying "the bill would retard the transition from fossil fuels to renewable" and "this post is retarded" so

Both are acceptable uses of the word.

It's really not. Grow up. Do you call things "gay" as a substitute for lame too? I thought we abandoned this nonsense in the 2000s.

[DaleCooper]

Unpopular opinion here but the "r word" isn't inherently bad. It simply means "delayed" (i.e. the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is retarded.)

Growing up for me, it was never a slur. But as Sanchez once said, there is a difference between saying "Smoking weed is retarded" and saying "Your autistic brother is a retard."

there's also a difference between saying "the bill would retard the transition from fossil fuels to renewable" and "this post is retarded" so

Both are acceptable uses of the word.

It's really not. Grow up. Do you call things "gay" as a substitute for lame too? I thought we abandoned this nonsense in the 2000s.

As long as there are people like me in this world, the word retarded will never be abandoned.

I'm incredibly stupid myself, so I like to think I'm just reclaiming the word. It's empowering.

[Ferguson97]

As long as there are people like me in this world, the word retarded will never be abandoned.

I don't know if this was intentional phrasing or not, but congrats - welcome to my signature.