Like it or not, "cultural illiterate" equals "retard."

Alright, I'm hearing a few of you loud and clear. You don't like it when I use the word "retard" in describing, well, retards. You think it's a derogatory term. In this I'd agree. But you further think it's a derogatory term for the mentally handicapped. This I disagree with, folks. Now I'll tell you why I feel this way, and why I'll continue to use the term, whether you like it or not.

Someone close to me is autistic. He's a hell of a good guy, just has some trouble in social settings with those he doesn't know. He's usually okay once he's introduced and gets to know you, but until then he retreats into the world of people and things he knows. His sister in an extrovert, and that helps him get over things rather quickly. Still, he's autistic. And if I ever heard someone call him a retard, they'd have a hell of a bigger problem than their personal social graces. I'd also not stand idly by and have someone call a mentally disabled person stupid, retarded, idiot, or any other term I'd consider derogatory if I didn't believe they could adequately defend themselves in that particular situation.

I've said it before, I don't give a fuck what you do in your own house, and I don't particularly care what you do outside it either, as long as it doesn't interfere with my or anyone else's life. You want to use the "N" word in describing a black person, that's fine with me. But unless there are black people around and you're not whispering, don't expect me to keep my mouth shut. And don't expect me to sit by and watch as you commit other social dis-graces, either (far too many examples to give, and I know you're not an idiot, you can figure these out for yourselves). But call someone with a disability names? Fuck you, asshole, ain't going to happen, not when I'm around.

Webster's dictionary defines "retard" as "to delay or slow the progress of." Are you honestly trying to tell me that this isn't EXACTLY what I've been talking about here at the Sanitorium? A culturally illiterate person or group is retarding the progress of what we call civilized society. If you want a partial list of who these people are, read the very first blog entry. The term's not derogatory for a handicapped person, though I suppose you could make the argument that the assholes I speak of are, indeed, mentally handicapped. But why split hairs? Retard's a verb. I use it as a noun because I'm not going to add "er" at the end; it doesn't have the same impact.

Maybe I should use the term "fucktard" instead.

Pro-Choice: It's not just for abortions anymore.

Know what I really hate? Alright, alright, stop the snickering. I'll re-phrase: Know what ELSE I really hate? People who tell me one thing, then change their minds and try to tell me I was mistaken in what I was told. Nope, that just doesn't work for me. It doesn't exactly fall under the category of "Don't piss up my leg and tell me it's raining." More like "Did you just piss on my leg?" "Yes, my mistake." "Why did you do it?" "Do what?" "Piss on me?" "I didn't, it must've been rain."

See what I'm saying? But I'll take it one step further: not only do you tell me you didn't do it, you act offended that I'd accuse you of such a thing. Basically call me a liar. This very thing happened to me yesterday.

I offered someone some cash (long story, and to tell it I'd have to give a name- or a moniker- so I'll just give you the basics). Said person turned the offer down, saying they'd be fine without it. I decide to use the money to purchase some pictures for my niece of her new baby, and buy some suds (something I couldn't do when taking the vicodins, and I wanted some for the opening weekend of college football). Only after I mentioned these things did this person ask "Are you going to give me any money?" I asked for what, and was told I offered, so was I going to do it? This immediately angered me, but I thought 'Okay, I offered, perhaps I should go ahead and do it.' But first, I had to make clear to this person that they'd turned the offer down once. "Yeah, I guess, but you told me you didn't need any." "I didn't say that! I said I didn't need as much as you offered!" Nope, nope, and, uhh, nope. I have a VERY good memory (especially when the vics aren't in play, which they weren't), and I know exactly what was said. And looking at this person, I could see in their face they knew it, as well. "Yes, I'll give you some money," I say, smiling and shaking my head (which I KNEW would anger them... I figured, share the wealth, right? Meaning the anger, not the money, Roundtowners). It certainly had the intended effect. I got a "Keep your money!" and a very melodramatic exit from the room.

I'm all for choices. There's honestly not one person in this world, NOT A SINGLE ONE, who doesn't have a choice. You hear it all the time: "I didn't have a choice." Hell, even I've said it, but in truth we all have a choice, even if the choice is to live or die, or to allow someone else to live or die. So, if you make a choice and wish to change your mind, that's alright with me. It's one of the most basic human rights, to make your mind up for yourself. As long as that choice doesn't affect my right to also choose, have at it! But don't make a decision and then lie to me and say "I didn't say, mean, intend, think, iterate, portend, or CHOOSE that." It pisses me off, and it's the quickest way to make me an enemy. It's difficult for me to trust someone who's outright lied to me, to say nothing of someone who tries to make a liar OUT OF me.

This has happened with this same person once before. That time, it ended in a shouting match and the silent treatment imposed on me for a few days. This time, I didn't give this person the satisfaction. If they won't talk to me, that's fine. I have nothing to say. I laid a fifty-dollar bill right where they could find it, and it was still sitting there this morning. I told this person that if it was still there when I got back, it was mine and I would spend it as found money. I'm not going over this ground again, so you'll never know for sure what happened. But I can tell you that if history serves, that money will be gone. And that's alright with me, it was offered, turned down, asked for again, and given. My responsibility has ended. Their responsibility is to thank me. I'm not holding my breath.

That is, after all, their choice.

Are you ready for some footbawl?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.