Rahm Takes Pledge Not to Use R-Word
EmailWhite House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel took the online pledge to end the use of the R-word between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. yesterday.
You can find it on the list of pledges on the website http://www.r-word.org/.
Emanuel apologized to Tim Shriver, the CEO of the Special Olympics after the Wall Street Journal reported the fiery Chicagoan privately called a group of liberal activists "f—ing retarded."
Last August, Emanuel "showed up at a weekly strategy session featuring liberal groups and White House aides," the Journal's Peter Wallsten reported lastTuesday."Some attendees said they were planning to air ads attacking conservative Democrats who were balking at Mr. Obama's health-care overhaul. 'F—ing retarded,' Mr. Emanuel scolded the group, according to several participants. He warned them not to alienate lawmakers whose votes would be needed on health care and other top legislative items."
"The White House remains committed to addressing the concerns and needs of Americans living with disabilities and recognizes that derogatory remarks demean us all," a White House official said.
Former Alaska Gov, Sarah Palin, who has a son with Down's Syndrome, was offended by Emanuel's reported remark, posting on her Facebook page: "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, and it’s heartbreaking."
On Wednesday, Emanuel met with Shriver; Andrew Imparato, President & CEO, American Association of People with Disabilities; Hannah Jacobs, parent and R-word advocate; Julie Petty, self-advocate and former president of Self Advocates Becoming Empowered; and Ricardo Thornton, self-advocate and Special Olympics athlete.
–jpt
* This post has been corrected
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No thank you. I can’t stand the word police. And yes, that includes Sarah Palin. Let people say whatever they want and be judged by what they say.
Posted by: Axey | February 5, 2010, 11:26 am 11:26 am
The only person who actually cared, outside of the media, was Palin.
We have become so engrossed with being “politically correct” with commentary, we have lost the ability to communicate effectively. We are so sensitized, that we would rather say nothing, than say something perceived to be “insensitive”.
That is why nothing is being done about illegal immigration. Everyone is so afraid they will be accused of being “racists”, they refuse to address the real problem…..”illegal”.
No one has any real gumption, anymore.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | February 5, 2010, 11:33 am 11:33 am
I’m sure Palin is sensitive to the use of that word, and I don’t blame her. I also think she is using their own rules against them.
Posted by: Axey | February 5, 2010, 11:42 am 11:42 am
I hate the PC nonsense also but I do think people should take a moment to think before they speak. A little kindness goes along way. Our society has become so crass and I find that sad.
On the PC nonsense my kids weren’t even allowed to bring red or green napkins (or anything with those colors, or symbolic of Christmas) to their cultural awareness holiday party at their grammar school due to the fear that it might offend. Only in California! The PC police in action.
Posted by: wow | February 5, 2010, 11:50 am 11:50 am
“White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel took the online pledge to end the use of the R-word at 12:13 am today.”
Of course, the “F” word is still fine to use. I’m always amazed that people will use the “F” word in private or during regular conversation but never “on camera.” What’s the difference?
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Saturday Night! | February 5, 2010, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
Good. Mr. Emanuel is a politician, and a pretty good one – language is a key tool in that trade and he knows how to use it. I have no trouble with deploying harsh language appropriately (it is a powerful tool for full expression), but he should know better than to use language that can carry innocent collateral damage, especially after Obama’s thoughtless bowling crack. Most people now use “idiots” as a suitably-offensive alternative.
Posted by: jhw539 | February 5, 2010, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
The Democrats politically correct chickens are coming hoooome…. to roooost.
Posted by: gk | February 5, 2010, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
Most people now use “idiots” as a suitably-offensive alternative.
Posted by: jhw539
+++++++++++++++++++++++
That term as well as many others have been derogatory terms used to describe the mentally challenged.
I agree with our president that a civil discourse is preferred. Childish taunts bring discourse to a childish level.
Posted by: wow | February 5, 2010, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
I thought the MSM would be too busy reporting on the other “R word”..you know, the RECESSION, to dive into this story..
But no..they must feel we need some Rhama Drama.
Posted by: cindy | February 5, 2010, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm
I am still wondering why this guy hasn’t been called out for his comment back during the recession when he talked about doing things that you normally don’t do when in a crisis. Sounds very evil to me.
Posted by: gragg advertising | February 5, 2010, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
But if he refrains from use of the “R” word, how will he accurately describe the left wing crazies in his Party?
Posted by: Lawyers Guns & Money | February 5, 2010, 2:13 pm 2:13 pm
Maybe he should also take a pledge not to use the “F” word.
Don’t they call him F-Bomb Rahm?
Posted by: BubbaRight | February 5, 2010, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm
I think Palin using their own rules against them.
heat
Posted by: Sarah | February 5, 2010, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
What a birdbrain…..
Posted by: DaProf | February 5, 2010, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm
The White House Chief of Staff calls Democrats “retards”.
Nancy Pelosi, when she took office as Speaker of the House, called Democrats “children”.
Maybe the Special Olympics joke that President Obama told on Leno was really meant as respectful, since Democrat leadership considers Democrats to be nothing but developmentally challenged children… and I guess they should know.
Posted by: malclave | February 5, 2010, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm
I never say it.. and I didn’t even take a pledge.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | February 5, 2010, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm
You’d have to be really stupid to be Chief of Staff of the White House and use a derogatory term like the r-word wouldn’t you? I bet you wouldn’t use the n-word in a memo to President Obama would you?
Posted by: James | February 5, 2010, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Nothing surprises me anymore. I always have thought that the “R” word was just BAD, even prior to all this politically correct stuff going on. Come on people, let’s be cognizant of the feelings of others.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | February 5, 2010, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm
I thought there is something called First Amendment and Freedom of Speech? So what if he used the R-word?
He should not have apologized to anybody. This is madness, and who cares whether Princess Palin got offended?
Posted by: MK | February 5, 2010, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm
Maybe the Special Olympics joke that President Obama told on Leno was really meant as respectful
____________________________________
Obama was attempting to make fun of himself and his abilities – not anybody else.
Posted by: tierra | February 6, 2010, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm
What if Rahm was using the word as an adjective? If we are being pc here shouldnt Rahm have said mentally retarded if he was going for that description? I think we should edit the dictionary because as an adjective it is fair game. Now the N word on the other hand has one definition which is a noun.
Seriously, these are the battles we pick to fight? Arrested development.
Posted by: Lall | February 8, 2010, 2:52 am 2:52 am