tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post9059254810575704933..comments2024-03-29T03:43:45.977-04:00Comments on Of Battered Aspect: R RatedDave Hingsburgerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11918601687946534172noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-87062892542296662172008-09-04T08:03:00.000-04:002008-09-04T08:03:00.000-04:00I agree with you Dave. It offends me how people ca...I agree with you Dave. It offends me how people can be so cruel against the disabled. I have no plans on seeing this movie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-33237026372200147802008-08-22T11:13:00.000-04:002008-08-22T11:13:00.000-04:00This comment is mostly for BEN and a couple of peo...This comment is mostly for BEN and a couple of people who have been to afraid to sign their post: <BR/><BR/>While I completely agree that the movie and its producers may not have intended for their words to be taken out of context. I can also see that you and I are able to look at the movie and the words and make educated conclusions in regards to the level that they do or do not hurt us. However my 3 year old cannot come to those same conculsions. <BR/><BR/>He has a moderate speech disorder and is well above the growth charts (looks about 5) he experiences being shut out from kids his age at the playground, tee ball teams, on the soccer field and at parties because it is harder to understand him than it is others. The r word has been repeated several times. I have had adults ignore his repeated attempts to communicate and ask "how old is he?" with a look on their face that I am sure many parents here could relate to. He does take note of these slights in his everyday life and sometimes it is very hard for him, you can see how it impacts his attitude.<BR/><BR/>We as parents in this culture do have to teach our children to deal with mean and some times hateful people, but that alone is enough without it being added to by hollywood. The point I'm trying to make here is that although I may choose to not use or give power to the r word I cannot make that choice for MY CHILD or anybody elses. I cannot dictate to YOU how to feel about this word and YOU cannot take away the hurt it causes other in overhearing it or using it directly. I also cannot keep that word from CRUSHING my son as he attempts to make friends. And that is truly what the whole debate is all about, how the word IMPACTS those who it is used against. Bottom line is the word is not funny and as a parent I have fought the school district for the right services for my child, worked with doctors to determine the proper diagnoses and I will continue to do what is right for my child. But I do not (nor does my child) need this type of entertainment that will be misunderstood by 1000s upon 1000s of people, making our lives that much harder. <BR/><BR/>Hopefully BEN you live on a dead end street with these other anonymous folks and the only impact you will have on this whole debate (and the world) are these posts.<BR/><BR/>And Gaina I hope that I will be able to instill in my son some of the same characteristics I see in your posts and that he will develop the self confidence to deal with mean and hateful people.<BR/><BR/>I do not have a goggle/blogger account but I am available at i_need_mtdew@yahoo.com and I am not afraid to stand by my child.<BR/>ShelleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-31297347956168271702008-08-21T17:25:00.000-04:002008-08-21T17:25:00.000-04:00From BarbaraLKThank you for this letter. It hits t...From BarbaraLK<BR/><BR/>Thank you for this letter. It hits the nail on the head<BR/><BR/>To Gaina,<BR/><BR/>As a person with a disability, you need to learn that person first language (person with a disability as opposed to "disabled person") has been the politically correct terminology in our community (I too am an individual with a disability) since we fought for it as part of the battle to pass the ADA. You also need to know that the term "handicapped" is considered an offensive word NOT used by individuals with disabilities because it comes from the term "cap in hand" when individuals with disabilities begged in the streets with their "cap in hand." <BR/>As a person with a disability, maybe you just need to learn more about your own culture and you will understand why words matter and why this film is so offensive. Intent is not the issue. The outcome is the problem. This film will cause more bullying and it hurts peopleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-23143188743494096422008-08-14T13:13:00.000-04:002008-08-14T13:13:00.000-04:00Because our names will matter? Want our addresses ...Because our names will matter? Want our addresses too so you can personally write angry letters? Names really matter that much to the faceless masses of the internet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-22848052042812490432008-08-14T11:44:00.000-04:002008-08-14T11:44:00.000-04:00Wow, so many brave people with such definite opini...Wow, so many brave people with such definite opinions....yet strangely too weak to put a name to your thoughts? I guess this is what happens when it rains during the school holidays ;-).<BR/><BR/>I <B>do</B> however like what this person had to say:<BR/><BR/><B>'But this is just a repackaged version of gaina's suggestion-- these politics are judo for the mind'</B>.<BR/><BR/>Judo for the mind, what an interesting idea. You can come read my blog any time. Hehe<BR/><BR/>Interestingly enough, the TT Myspace profile has every clip up <I>but</I> the 'offending'. One....of course I had to ask the question 'if you thought this was so witty, why isn't the trailer on your profile?'. I'm still awaiting a reply :D.Gainahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08495953058626656188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-8800115944573973112008-08-14T11:09:00.000-04:002008-08-14T11:09:00.000-04:00Ben:.... you are a discusting foul human being. B...Ben:.... you are a discusting foul human being. Besides that.. you are also wildly mis-informed and obviously under educated. Please attemt to actually learn atleast a bare minimum before you speak about somthing that you obviously are quite ignorant about!.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-37016492385771556812008-08-14T09:54:00.000-04:002008-08-14T09:54:00.000-04:00I mean, I will now proceed to see the film because...I mean, I will now proceed to see the film because of this article.XDAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-81223252158504882122008-08-14T09:53:00.000-04:002008-08-14T09:53:00.000-04:00I didn't even realize this line was in the movie u...I didn't even realize this line was in the movie until the lot of you said something. So therefore, you are in fact helping him promote it. I will not proceed to go see the movie just because I want to see what the hullabaloo is about. Thank you for opening my eyes to this serious issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-57872644428025525142008-08-14T09:38:00.000-04:002008-08-14T09:38:00.000-04:00Ben,Look at that! no one deleted your big bad comm...Ben,<BR/>Look at that! no one deleted your big bad comment...but I should warn you...no one is listening to it either.<BR/>:) have a nice life!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-66936083837355225002008-08-14T09:25:00.000-04:002008-08-14T09:25:00.000-04:00"Vow never to use the word again. Have your celebr..."Vow never to use the word again. Have your celebrity pals do the same."<BR/><BR/>"started an online petition 3 days ago, requesting the ban on the "r" word and "Tropic Thunder"."<BR/><BR/>Fuck censorship and fuck anybody who thinks censorship is ever, EVER acceptable.<BR/><BR/>I used to think the parents of mentally retarded youngsters were good people. Sure, all of them seemed to be a little bit "off," but their hearts were always in the right place. Now I see how wrong I was. You people won't be happy until the whole world revolves around the spawn of your fucking poisoned wombs and seed.<BR/><BR/>The funniest part is, if this comment gets deleted, it will only prove my whole point.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142642167530146174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-79261994224048559352008-08-14T02:40:00.000-04:002008-08-14T02:40:00.000-04:00Since you signed my petition, I will share my "Mr....Since you signed my petition, I will share my "Mr. Stiller" letter with you.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Dear Mr. Stiller,<BR/><BR/>I haven't slept in 5 nights, and it is your fault. Here I sit, at 1:08 in the morning. I was in bed, but my mind has been racing, and I needed to come and write you a letter. You see, 5 days ago, I learned about your new movie. I also learned about one particular scene in that movie. And that is why I am awake. I need to get some things off of my chest.<BR/><BR/>A little background. In November of 2002, my husband and I welcomed our third child into this world. The morning after he was born, we learned that he had Down syndrome. Our lives were turned upside-down. We were thrust into a new world, which was scary and full of the unknowns. <BR/><BR/>Our new son had several challenges in his first few years of life. We had a few ambulance rides to the hospital. We had to learn all knew medical terminology because our son needed a cardiologist, an ENT, and an orthopedic surgeon, to name a few. He needed to have an occupational therapist, a physical therapist and a speech therapist (still does). He needs glasses, he has ankle braces. He has had 5 surgeries to put tubes in his ears. He had his tonsils and adenoids out. He's had swallow studies and sleep studies. He's had EKG's. He's been through a lot, and he's only 5.<BR/><BR/>We've met a lot of families like ours along the way. Some have children who have been very sick, and almost died. Some have had children who have been very sick and have died. Some of these kids have gone through more in their short lives than most adults ever will. They're fighters. Their parents are fighters. <BR/><BR/>It is my job to protect my son, to love and nurture him. I keep him safe while he's in our home. I can monitor what he sees, and what he hears. Nobody here will make fun of him. No one will call him names. He will never feel like less of a person when he is home. He has brought us all such joy, we cannot imagine not having him in our lives. He is very smart, and has the best sense of humor. He really loves everyone, and they love him in return.<BR/><BR/>Now, here is where you come in. <BR/><BR/>You felt the need to put a character in your new movie. A "special" character, mocking people with disabilities. You also felt the need to push the envelope a bit further. You threw the "r" word in there, too. And not just once. Many, many times. And you think that it's o.k. "in context" and it's really making fun of actors in Hollywood. Well, when people leave the movie, I'm willing to bet that quite a few are going to take your new tag line out of context and will be using it quite frequently. I have already seen the shirts on EBay, and the movie just opened today. Now, how am I supposed to protect my son from that? And, you say its rated R, so younger children and teens won't see it. You and I both know that these kids are going to watch the movie, in the theatres, on DVD, on Pay-per-view and are going to come away thinking it's funny to use the word "retard". They're going to see the "Never go full retard" t-shirts. You did this. <BR/><BR/>My son is going out there in the real world next month; he's starting kindergarten in public school. Our schools have a "No bullying" policy, and our superintendent has already been sent a letter warning him about the t-shirts, and they will not be acceptable. So, my question to you is, how do I get them off of the streets? How do we get the kids not to call their friends "retards"? Why did you feel the need to make my son the punch line of your joke?<BR/><BR/>Now is your opportunity to be a bigger man. Step up and apologize to the four million Americans with disabilities. Admit that you made a mistake; you THOUGHT that it would be o.k. in context. You didn't think ahead. You were wrong. Take some of your "Tropic Thunder" profits and start a Words Hurt campaign. Vow never to use the word again. Have your celebrity pals do the same. Maybe you'd gain back some respect. My husband and I have seen every movie you've been in; you've always been a favorite of ours. Our 10 and 8 year-olds loved Jack Black. We've all been crushed to learn how uncaring you both truly are. <BR/><BR/>I started an online petition 3 days ago, requesting the ban on the "r" word and "Tropic Thunder". I have close to 2,300 signatures already. You should really take the time to read some of the comments posted by the families. They'll break your heart (if you have one). http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopTropicThunder/ <BR/><BR/>Well, I could go on and on, but I won't. I am going to attempt to clear my head and climb into bed. I can rest a bit easier knowing that I am fighting for my son. I won't give up. He deserves to be respected. He deserves to be treated with dignity. <BR/><BR/>Hopefully the next time I see you on "Nightline", you won't be patting yourself on the back, you'll be issuing an apology.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Mom to Garrett and 3 other wonderful, caring, compassionate children who will NEVER use the "R" word.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-23957286520341958662008-08-14T01:06:00.000-04:002008-08-14T01:06:00.000-04:00this article HAS to be a jokethis article HAS to be a jokeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-13414934941488237952008-08-14T00:59:00.000-04:002008-08-14T00:59:00.000-04:00This article blows dick, stop crying you faggotThis article blows dick, stop crying you faggotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-68304087439153398152008-08-14T00:31:00.000-04:002008-08-14T00:31:00.000-04:00*sigh*People, people please. You're all throwing h...*sigh*<BR/><BR/>People, people please. You're all throwing hissy fits because people use the word "retard" like its something sacred that can only be used to describe the people with mental disabilities. Which is wrong, because it is a word, sounds which come out of our mouths which can't be copyrighted, protected, anything like that, same with the word nigger.<BR/><BR/>I hate to break the news to you, but if you have Downs Syndrome, then you are RETARDED. So I dont understand why one should take so much offense to other people using the word. If you're retarded, you're retarded. So what? Why should it hurt your feelings if someone else is using the word retard to banter and joke with yet another person? It'd be the same as if I got offended if someone used the word "whitey" or something. It's just a word. I know I'm white, why can't you tell that you are retarded?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-72846107841875255902008-08-14T00:20:00.000-04:002008-08-14T00:20:00.000-04:00How about this:You're a fucking cunt. Grow some f...How about this:<BR/><BR/>You're a fucking cunt. Grow some fucking balls you spineless faggot. You're out of touch. Someone makes a joke that mocks the handicapped and you write him a fucking letter holding him responsible? He doesn't give a fuck. And he rightfully shouldn't. You're the reason there are school-shootings. Pussy fucks like you raising your children to be passive snot-nosed shitlickers that will eventually snap and then pull a gun on their classmates because losers like you never taught them that sometimes they just have to ignore stupid people.<BR/><BR/>Fuck you, and fuck everything you stand for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-14780863365598838952008-08-14T00:12:00.000-04:002008-08-14T00:12:00.000-04:00go baww somewhere else you butthurt neckbeardgo baww somewhere else you butthurt neckbeardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-4607003451962142962008-08-14T00:05:00.000-04:002008-08-14T00:05:00.000-04:00You know what really grinds my gears? When people ...You know what really grinds my gears? When people use the word 'retarded' to describe something that they just don't like, when there are many better words available in the English language. I personally never use the word in that way.<BR/><BR/>You know what else really grinds my gears, though? When people try to get a word censored. Censorship really grinds my gears, even moreso than stupidity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-78673649677818102562008-08-13T23:27:00.000-04:002008-08-13T23:27:00.000-04:00I think reclaiming the term is the most constructi...I think reclaiming the term is the most constructive way to deal with the situation. Activist gay politics allowed the homosexual community to reclaim "queer" and challenge heteronormativity.<BR/><BR/>Those within the learning disabled community need to take the same approach. Writing letters to Ben Stiller for his use of language is a passive and weak approach. Deconstructing the assumptive notions of "retardation" as something non-normal and therefore negative generates new ways of thinking about language. Attacking the language itself will do nothing; attacking the representations of the language is the best alternative.<BR/><BR/>But this is just a repackaged version of gaina's suggestion-- these politics are judo for the mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-38159787525214278842008-08-13T23:06:00.000-04:002008-08-13T23:06:00.000-04:00This is just silly. People like you are only looki...This is just silly. People like you are only looking on the surface of things, looking to be offended. People like you are why we can't move past such discriminations.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-52043731683354746492008-08-13T23:01:00.000-04:002008-08-13T23:01:00.000-04:00XFD. Butt hurt neckbeard.XFD. Butt hurt neckbeard.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-41229336496009717572008-08-12T13:18:00.000-04:002008-08-12T13:18:00.000-04:00And this was from movie promos and trailers alone....And this was from movie promos and trailers alone...just imagine after the movie opens in all theaters...<BR/><BR/>Thank you for posting. It does make a difference.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-59365178448694175372008-08-12T00:48:00.000-04:002008-08-12T00:48:00.000-04:00Cheryl, I think that WAS her point -- people who t...Cheryl, I think that WAS her point -- people who throw stones even though they live in glass houses -- that they would be hurt themselves if the shoe were on the other foot and they were being called these (accurate) wordsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-65749570825640470422008-08-11T19:58:00.000-04:002008-08-11T19:58:00.000-04:00Hi,Great letter that I will try to pass on to Ben ...Hi,<BR/><BR/>Great letter that I will try to pass on to Ben Stiller as well!<BR/><BR/>But please examine your own used of words - you described people as "skinny", "chunky" and "geeky" - don't you see how those words can hurt just as much to some as "retard" does to you?<BR/><BR/>Sincerely, <BR/>CherylAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-20435698375484856372008-08-11T16:52:00.000-04:002008-08-11T16:52:00.000-04:00If you would like to reach anyone of the people at...If you would like to reach anyone of the people at DreamWorks, Paramount/Vantage or Ben Stiller with your concerns, their names are above and below are the main contacts for them:<BR/><BR/>DreamWorks<BR/>100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg. 5121, Universal City, CA 91608<BR/>818-733-7000<BR/><BR/>Paramount/Vantage<BR/>5555 Melrose Ave., Ball/Lasky Bldgs., Los Angeles, CA 90038<BR/>323-956-2000<BR/><BR/>Ben Stiller, Writer/Director/Producer<BR/>Read Hour Films, 629 N. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036<BR/>323-602-5000Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35743239.post-63155807626836090512008-08-11T16:31:00.000-04:002008-08-11T16:31:00.000-04:00It is time to take the "r" word out of circulation...It is time to take the "r" word out of circulation.<BR/><BR/>I've written a blog post, <A HREF="http://lizditz.typepad.com/i_speak_of_dreams/2008/08/words-hurt.html" REL="nofollow">Words Hurt: The "r" Word</A>, on Wanda and Rick Felty's campaign to "Ban the R Word", and Jenna Glatzer's pledge campaign, as well as the "Tropic Thunder" controversy. I've included a link to your blog.Liz Ditzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03455722013211350247noreply@blogger.com