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Letters, 8/17: Movie hardly funny

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Monday, Aug 18, 2008 - 07:33:16 am CDT

I was disheartened to read the glowing review (LJS, Aug. 13) of the Ben Stiller movie “Tropic Thunder.” The reviewer described the movie as a perfect comedic farce and declared it Stiller’s “magnum opus.”

What the reviewer failed to mention is the fact that throughout the movie, people with developmental disabilities are routinely disparaged and the word “retard” is frequently used.

The use of the word “retard” sets the tone of how society views people with developmental disabilities, and movies that glamorize the “R-word” and catchphrases like “Never go full retard” set us all back a generation.

Apparently making fun of a group of people least likely to be able to advocate for themselves is what makes a perfect comedic farce. Shame on the reviewer, shame on Ben Stiller, and shame on those who make the choice to see “Tropic Thunder” and play a part in promoting the idea that hurting others for a laugh is all in good fun.

My hope is that the people of Lincoln will stand up for kids like my daughter, Baylee, and all others who share her disabilities by refusing to see this movie. I also hope that everyone will become more aware of how they include the word “retard” in their vocabularies.

Maybe some day the use of the R-word will be as unacceptable as disparaging words that describe race or ethnicity. The only R-word people with intellectual disabilities deserve is respect.

Christy Whetstone, Lincoln

Consider McCain’s actions

Some folks fault Sen. Barack Obama for his lack of political experience.

The length of experience matters if it leads to better political judgment. Consider the disastrous political action in which Sen. John McCain, with his 26 years of congressional experience, has been a major player.

Whereas a majority of the Americans have realized for a while now that President Bush used lies, deceptions and scare tactics to get them to support the start of the war in Iraq, McCain still is a steadfast supporter of President Bush’s decision to start this tragic event. Therefore, McCain bears direct responsibility for the following tragic consequences of this war:

1. More than 4,100 of our soldiers dead so far.

2. More than 30,000 of our soldiers seriously wounded physically and mentally so far.

3. More than $500 billion of tax dollars wasted on this war so far, which is mostly responsible for the terrible state of our economy and infrastructure right now.

4. About a million Iraqis dead so far.

5. More than 4 million Iraqis made homeless so far.

Sitaram Jaswal, Lincoln

What State Fair Park will be

My neighbor and I do some walking. We decided that the East Campus of the University of Nebraska would be a nice choice, with good walks and supposedly nice summer season plantings, etc., to observe.

It’s there, I’m sure, but to our surprise parking meters were all over the place, plus all potential parking lots were marked for students and staff only. Needless to say, no observation was done. We were curious to see specimens mentioned on the “Backyard Farmer” programs.

Well, then, let’s go to the State Fair Park grounds. Plenty of space to park. Much work already done on improving older sidewalks, plus lots of new concrete as well as other improvements. A pleasure to see and experience. Groundskeepers in all the flower and plant areas. Preparation being done in all other phases for the upcoming fair for 2008. Stop by and take a look and see what is there now and what won’t be there in a couple of years.

At that time you will be able to drive in, plug the meters and drive back out after observing all the no parking or student and faculty only signs. This was a gift given to the residents of Nebraska, and it is slipping away.

LaVonne Dilla, Lincoln

Important to vote this fall

The time is getting near for voting in November.

I’m almost as confused, per say, as our presidential candidates. It’s been a long campaign (too long), and what I see yet is Democrats and Republicans fighting for party lines. Don’t they know they’re supposed to be concentrating on the American people and what is best for our country?

This is a good year to vote. Millions of dollars are spent campaigning, and where did these candidates receive all this money? What’s the payback to some of those large contributors? I believe it’s called pork-barrel spending.

It seems to me that those in the running from the start fell short of money for campaigning. I think they had a lot to offer America, but let’s be true to ourselves, money buys the office for president. This is sad!

We’ve seen too much campaigning and too many millions spent over too long a period of time. I’m tired of hearing it, and the more the candidates say, the more dirt they bring up.

I will vote in November, I will vote for the person, not the party, as I see fit, but I will vote! I hope everyone else will do the same.

Shirley Fox Thomsen, Exeter

Fix downtown parking

In an effort to support local events, I took a friend to Ribfest last week.

After spending time looking for a parking place in a three-block radius of Pershing, we found a one-hour meter. We plugged it, hoping we could get ribs and eat and return before the time expired.

After the three-block walk to Ribfest, 20 minutes in line for ribs, another line for drinks and the time to “enjoy” our ribs, we returned to the car greeted by a $10 expired meter citation.

If Lincoln wants to have downtown events patronized, Lincoln needs to address the shortage of downtown parking!

Barb Ballard, Raymond


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Ramone wrote on August 17, 2008 7:30 am:
" Two responses ... Barb, you knew the risk of getting a ticket and you now have to pay the price. Quit whining and deal with it. At least you could afford to go to Ribfest. Christy, how about those of us who don't use the r-word, are quite aware it is inapropriate to use and still want to see a movie which (quite likely) has several other funny moments outside of this non-PC issue? Can we still go see the movie? Is that okay? "

 Pro Freedom wrote on August 17, 2008 8:33 am:
" Barb, there is lots of event parking. Parking garages are abundant downtown in this area and they don't cost as much as many think. There is only as much on street parking as a block is long. :) "

 Hey Christy wrote on August 17, 2008 8:44 am:
" unless a person goes through any trauma or deals with a disability on a daily basis, they have no clue. I have been denied by the insurance company for the last 4 years to get back what cancer took from me. I had head/neck cancer and although I am use to the stares I get from the ignorant, it affects my health daily, my energy and my stamina because I cannot eat properly. As long as we have non-compassionate people running our system, in our insurance company's and as CEO's, anyone with a disability is out of luck receiving help from anyone. You know that ole saying "walk a mile in my shoes"...some of you ignorant ones need to start walking. As far as who to vote for, I don't trust either candidate. I am writing in my vote. Unl, parking meters, blah blah blah, UNL will get what it wants because it all has to do with money and whose pocket they happen to be in. They are not neighbor friendly. Lets send UNL to G.I instead of the fair. "

 CS wrote on August 17, 2008 9:21 am:
" As an out of town resident, you can contest the ticket based on that alone-it says so on the back of the ticket, IIRC. You could have parked in a garage and walked as well. We, who live here, do it all the time. In the City, you pay for parking. Thats the way it works. In some you might not, but here we do-that's just the way it is. There is no shortage of downtown parking, there are are at least 3 huge parking garages withing 5 blocks of each other-there is just a overage of people that think all that space around Lincoln is free and want to park whereever they want to with little regard for people that already live here. "

 Parking wrote on August 17, 2008 9:42 am:
" Aren't there at least 3 public parking garages with a 3 block radius of Pershing? I can think of 2 surface lots a block away and a garage on the same lot. There's also the garage next to the Cornhusker (which is about 2 blocks away) and across the street from the Cornhusker. Barb, you mean each one of these garages were full? Or were you just looking for a lucky meter? How can the city increase meters?

The truth be told the parking in Lincoln is only bad for those who can't walk a bit. "

 Free speech bandit wrote on August 17, 2008 11:17 am:
" If you didn't want people to see this movie, you should have never written a letter to the editor. The more complaints, the more people will go to see it and the more money Hollywood makes. Sometimes it is best to ignore it. If people don't go to it, they won't make movies like this.

BTW, did you see the movie? I did. Robert Downey Jr. referred to HOW Ben Stiller PLAYED the character as r_______. He criticized his performance by saying he went "full r_____" as opposed to Tom Hanks portrayal of Forrest Gump that was only partial. The characters didn't spend a lot, if any time referring to "Simple Jack" as r_______. It was focussed on the fact that "Simple Jack" was so over the top that he didn't seem real. That was Downey's criticism: he went "full r_____."

In the year 2008, I think the word r_____ no longer refers to people with mental disabilities. I think it is a bigger than life, over-the-top caricature of an extremely clown-like, stupid person. Much the same way that it was played in the movie. R_____ use to be a clinical term, then it became an offensive insult, and now it has morphed into a meaningless, benign, comical word. I don't even THINK of mentally challenged people when I hear "r_____". I think idiot or clown. "

 Murf wrote on August 17, 2008 12:18 pm:
" Christy - All humor is based on pain. Laugh life off, or cry yourself to sleep every night. Good luck.

Sitaram - Very dramatic numbers, but probably a bit exaggerated. Besides, I prefer a fight every now and then.

Shirley - Yup, it's a very important vote this fall. Make sure you choose the candidates and issues which best support and represent your views, whatever they may be, and good luck!

Barb - They're called parking garages. They're quite useful, and looking around it seems like a lot of Nebraskans could benefit from walking a little further each day. Better yet, ride a bicycle! "

 get over it wrote on August 17, 2008 12:37 pm:
" I am totally going to go see the tropic thunder movie. So what if they use the "r-word" i am so tired of having to be politically correct for the sake of not hurting peoples feelings. Pretty soon we as a society are not going to be able to say anything and we will just have to walk around and nod at people. My friend works with mentally handicapped people and they are some of the most unique individuals I have ever met but hearing people use the r-word does not phaze me because for the most part its all in good fun and I personally know they are better than that. "If it takes a word to ruin ya then you should have already heard that your finished through and through"-311 "

 dish wrote on August 17, 2008 1:05 pm:
" barb... you should have had your hand stamped, left ribfest, and plugged the meter. I know it is "supposed" to be illegal but everyone does it. it would have saved you ten bucks. wait, you don't even have to pay that since you are from out of town. why is it that you are complaining? "

 Laurie wrote on August 17, 2008 1:20 pm:
" Having your child hear a vulgar and negative word is disheartening, to be sure. But comparing your hurt feelings to RACISM? Now THAT'S offensive. "

 A rose by any other name wrote on August 17, 2008 1:46 pm:
" Christy, do you really think that taking away a word will remove the idea? The accompanying op piece in the print edition seemed to show up serendipitously today. Just because you ban a word doesn't mean the idea will go away. Many of us have disabilities, whether they are physical or mental. I don't care if people call me baldy, which is derisive of a condition I can't help. Should we ban four-eyes too? How about fatty? shorty? When do we stop the banning or the disrespect? And, why did no one (including you) complain when Jimmy Fallon used the word in question--derisively I might add--during SNL skits? "

 Lindsay wrote on August 17, 2008 2:03 pm:
" I'll reserve judgment of the movie until I see it. There is a lot to be said about what context a certain word is used in. "

 deal with it wrote on August 17, 2008 3:06 pm:
" Tropic Thunder is a comedy. I am tired of having to walk on egg shells for every little thing that could offend someone. "

 connie wrote on August 17, 2008 3:31 pm:
" Main Entry: 1re·tard
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtärd\
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- + tardus slow
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to slow up especially by preventing or hindering advance or accomplishment : impede
2 : to delay academic progress by failure to promote
intransitive verb
: to undergo retardation
synonyms see delay



I don't see the problem. Aren't these people delayed, just as the word means? Sorry, SICK TO DEATH of not knowing which perfectly good words can no longer be uttered because they're not 'PC'.
Nobody connected with the movie you mention intended any insult to you daughter or anyone like her. jeez "

 Brian wrote on August 17, 2008 4:16 pm:
" So christy, adults can only go see movies that are deemed "acceptable" by the hundreds of individual special interest groups in this country. Sorry, this is America and we have every right to go see a movie that has what you think is an offensive word in it. Not only that we can say that "offensive" word anytime we want (unless of course you are trying to post a comment on a newspaper forum) You don't like it don't say it, don't go to the movie, but never tell me what I should or shouldn't watch as an adult. I am perfectly able to determine what I find offensive, I don't need your help. "

 klecser wrote on August 17, 2008 6:12 pm:
" Hate speech has taken on so many forms over the course of the last thousand years. You can find a word that describes virtually any group. We have legislation on the books that supposedly prevents hate speech. Utter the "n" word once, and people cry foul. I agree with them. Utter the "r" word any number of times and no one cares. I take big issue here.

It is this hypocrisy of morality that will continue to haunt us with hate. The "r" word is hate. Many of you would love to gloss over the hateful nature of the word simply because it is part of your everyday slang. It doesn't seem to affect you, and it doesn't seem to affect anyone you love, so it is ok to spread the hate.

People that defend the use of hurtful speech in the name of free speech are not pariahs of civil liberties. They are hate apologists in disguise. Shame on you. This country is far from tolerant of people that are different and it shows. "

 Ray wrote on August 17, 2008 7:31 pm:
" Jaswal,
You forgot to mention the peaceful rebuilding currently taking place in Iraq, witnessed by none other than the great Obama, who stated that even though the troop surge has proved to be a success that he would have still voted against this move which has brought stability to that nation.
And you forgot to mention the Iraqi people who are returning to that nation by the thousands.
And you forgot to mention that anyone who was exposed to an IED, whether injured or not is now given disability from the VA, which classifies them as wounded.
And you forgot to mention that Iraq will soon begin repaying those nations that have helped with their liberation with the revenues from their oil fields which are only awaiting inspection in order to begin production.
But you did write a true to form Bush hating, now McCain hating letter. "

 mitchy_v wrote on August 17, 2008 7:33 pm:
" The "r" word is hate only if used in a hateful manner. There are many words in today's society that have multiple meanings. Some women take offence to being call "woman". Does that mean we can use that word in its other forms? "

 MarkyMark wrote on August 17, 2008 10:38 pm:
" It's a movie!! Haven't you ever noticed that most of the things that happen in a movie are unacceptable in real life? "

 Truth wrote on August 18, 2008 12:16 am:
" Steve, you chastise Jaswal for his letter, but don't dispute a single word. And please stop whining about Bush haters. It's not Bush, it's his job performance that is hated from coast to coast. "

 Just a movie wrote on August 18, 2008 12:55 am:
" Whether we (the public) like it or not, we are at some point have a label attached to us. Older people are called seniors. Drop out is the usual label for people that have quit school. People are classified by their ethnicity, religious affiliation, organizational affiliation (such as a Mason, Kiwanis, etc.), sex, sexual preference, where we live (such as home owner, apartment, etc.) & the list goes on. The bottom line is that people are also referred to as nerds, jocks, etc. & these labels are based upon their interests or personalities. This is just a movie & I think some people taking it way too seriously. Instead of worrying about a movie, channel energies regarding people with disabilities into more constructive pursuits such as better accessibility to public places, more funding for education & vocational training, better staff training for people that work with the disabled, more resources for people with disabilities that have children, better residences/group homes for them, more funding to provide the extras that Medicaid doesn't cover, better medical services, etc. I'd rather focus on these areas than worry about a movie that uses the word retard. The movie probably would've just faded away into obscurity like all the other Ben Stiller movies. People that protest it are just making a bigger deal out of it so it makes it more popular. I had no intention of seeing the movie. Now, my mind is changed because I want to see what all the controversy is about. "

 Carol wrote on August 18, 2008 9:07 am:
" Barb - Downtown Lincoln has over 20,000 parking spots. Next time, PARK IN A GARAGE like you are supposed to and you won't get a ticket. "

 michelle wrote on August 18, 2008 10:13 am:
" Christy, while I agree with you 100% about the R-word, i wont let my kids say it. If i hear kids saying it the manner of "dont be a r-word" I will say something about it. But boycotting this movie isnt going to change anything. Hollywood will continue to make movies that offends at least one group of people, and from what I have heard about it, many groups of people are already offended by it. I wont go and see it.

Barb, didnt you notice the many parking garages that downtown has to offer? It may have cost you 5.00 to park, but at least you wouldnt have got a ticket. Personally I dont think on weekends anyone should have to pay to park at the meters, but then if they didnt charge we wouldnt have nice clean streets down here either. "

 BOB wrote on August 18, 2008 12:10 pm:
" Why do we refer to offensive words by their first letter and us that as if that makes it ok? Is saying "r-word" really that much less offensive than the actual word "retard"? The meaning and intent the user gives it are what causes the problem. Not the word itself. It's as if not using the word will make everything better. Now we have the r-word, the n-word, the c-word, and the f-word. What happens when we run out of letters? "

 MarkyMark wrote on August 18, 2008 12:56 pm:
" To Barb,

Since you found a spot Barb there was no shortage of spots. If you need to walk a little further it wont kill you. If anything Lincoln needs to eliminate street parking to make decent bike lanes like other cities. Then they need to build parking garages more than two levels high. The $10 ticket is still cheaper than what it cost to park legally in other cities. "

 MID wrote on August 18, 2008 1:40 pm:
" I am pretty sure that Ray has his facts wrong. Not everyone exposed to an IED is recieving VA disability. they all recieve a Combat Action Badge/Combat Infantry Badge/Combat Medical Badge, but not everyone recieves a purple heart. I would like to know where you get your facts. "

 Ray wrote on August 18, 2008 3:47 pm:
" I never said they get a Purple Heart. They receive disability from the VA for PTSD, even if they show NO signs of PTSD. Try reading the post instead of interpreting it. "

 Captain Logic wrote on August 18, 2008 3:51 pm:
" Connie, your dictionary entry doesn't work here. Those are fine definitions of the verb, but this conversation is about the slang noun form not listed in your dictionary. "

 Thank You wrote on August 18, 2008 4:10 pm:
" Thank you, Captin Logic! I had sent through a similar comment (although much longer, I'll admit). The verb and noun usage of the same word are two entirely different things, indeed. I wonder if it was flagged and not posted because I used "the word." Ah, the irony! "

 get over it wrote on August 18, 2008 4:11 pm:
" the r-word may not even be referring to said group of people. As the english language develops new words with emerge and existing words will take on new meaning and become slang terms.

ever heard the term "I got canned"? that person does not mean that they were stuffed in a can and sealed inside. they mean something entirely different. Just like when you hear songs on the radio that use the r-word they don't mean the exact definition of the r-word, but something entirely different. "

 Kristine wrote on August 18, 2008 4:44 pm:
" I can understand someone being offended by hearing 'retard' used in a derrogatory manor. I think we all can. But people are always missing the point when it comes to movies and theatre. A character is a portrayal. That character is one who uses the 'r-word', and that says something about him. You can sensor bad language out of things, but there's a reason that the character is portrayed using bad language: that's who and what and how the character is. That is the point in this movie. It is a work of fiction. Satire (and I admit, I haven't seen the movie yet--but Ben Stiller is quite brilliant and well-respected as being an intelligent man) is misunderstood and misinterpreted by the less 'sophisticated'. MOst everything Ben Stiller does is a point about people being idiots and not knowing that they're idiots. He portrayed a 'dumb model' in Zoolander, yet nobody was offended by that! (Probably because so many people were not smart enough to get THAT, either!) "

 Tropic Thunder wrote on August 18, 2008 5:18 pm:
" is a movie that mocks Hollywood, and all the people that inhabit it. Using this word only makes them seem more ridiculous. It only makes another point. "

 MID wrote on August 19, 2008 8:32 am:
" Actually, Not every Soldier recieve's disability. You can recieve free counseling for PTSD, but that does not mean that you get disability payments. If you are considered "wounded" by military standards you will recieve a purple heart if the injury is due to enemy action. Also the VA, and the military are 2 seperate entities. I still would like to know where you get your "facts"? "

 momofdisabled wrote on August 21, 2008 4:01 am:
" I agree with Christy, this movie wants us to believe that entertainment is making fun of disabled people. What if it was your loved one that struggled all day every day only for some uneducated person to call them a retard? What if someone called you a name based on your ability, color, religion or other difference? It is not funny, it is a disgrace. This is the reason so many agencies for the disabled have boycotted it. Ramone, if you want to see a funny movie, pick a better one, dont support this horrid one. "

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