The Scouts used it as a long service badge

Heck

as long as there are nazis around

Longer, much longer

Does anyone else want to expose them to the wrath of an organised consumer boycott?

See above and previous page...

It sounds phony.

I much prefer Homai Blind School which is what it was originally called for a very long time. I'm sure donations were more forthcoming when it was called that.

I'm sure if Key called Goff a retard or…

All kinds of gangs, not just Polynesian ones, have used Nazi symbols because they communicate being anti-social.

Still wierd, given that Hitler considered everyone not North European to be an untermensch, with a bit of a free pass for allies, like Franco and Mussolini. Oh, and himself.

I only raise…

Can we now look forward to "retarded" finding its way into editorial copy for other news/current affairs shows on TVNZ?

And if, for the sake of argument, John Key stood up in the…

Part of the reason why Henry is getting served over this now is a maturity of belonging and politics where the people he is demeaning and their associates are ready to say it's not ok.

That's right Sacha. Explains why, for the first time, there was some mainstream media coverage…

Brutus is an honourable man

Doubly relevent because the (rhetorical) irony arises from him technically honouring restrictions placed on his speech.

I've daydreamed about offending the privileges committee and making an apology along those lines. Somehow I doubt either of those things would actually happen.

I am still uneasy about residential special schools, especially impairment specific…

We all have different depths and angles of understanding, and only some of us have the luxury of specialist interest and/or…

No idea what the 'education centre' refers to, Andrew – maybe Homai?

They are now the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind – an ownership thing

I think the use of the word retarded is fine but retard is derogatory .

I really don't see the difference (other than adjective/noun) when they are applied in a way meant to insult and disparage.

There's a post at FWD/Forward that discusses why "retard" / "retarded" is problematic: [[http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/10/16/ableist-word-profile-retarded/|Ableist…

Are you talking about ANZ organisations? Or something far, far ,away?

If intimidation doesn't do the trick, making the little bastard blush just has to do.

you evil evil man.

I was quite interested to read today that P Henry suffers from another form of terardation. I feel it explains somewhat.

(Koko actually tried to teach one of her kittens to sign- who knows what exasperated swearing could've eventuated?)

I remember when the Black Eyed Peas had a hit with the song "Lets get retarded…

Ur, I thought Craig was showing a photo of his father and referring to young impertinent one as 'be-atch'?

And watch various women of my acquaintance sharpening their second best stilettos in anticipation of some Single White Female-style re-education if I open my trap any wider. :)

Perhaps Caliban spoke…

Ur, I thought Craig was showing a photo of his father and referring to young impertinent one as 'be-atch'?

Yeah, I kind of regret saying anything now. At the time…

Does anyone know the status of 'nigger' the dog in the remake of The Dambuster's movie?

Renamed African American in the last shooting script I saw.

should call it snoop

Ah, do other people not carry around pics of their parents? Isn't that what that bit in the wallet is for?

Sure people do , but badasses carry around photos of their be-atches.

Gotta love a badass who carries around a picture of his father.

Ah, do other people not carry around pics of their parents? Isn't that what that bit in the wallet is for?

Although somehow I doubt me flashing a cute pic of my dad cuddling my son is going…

Does anyone know the status of 'nigger' the dog in the remake of The Dambuster's movie?

Renamed African American in the last shooting script I saw.

"Brutus is an honourable man."

Oh Steve, bless you. That was one of my Honours essays: "All Honourable Men: Values and Truth in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar", and you're dead right. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to nerd right up there.

Slightly relatedly, I'm kind of tired of…

NatRad was still going on about the Adagio fiasco on Midday Report. There were gasps, apparently, from members of the audience, when the offending words were spoken and the offending orgasm faked.

In other news, pantomime audiences were heard to say "ooh" in response to innuendo spoken by men dressed…

Is that similar to the use of swastikas by members of largely Polynesian gangs?

Depends on what parallel you're trying to draw. All kinds of gangs, not just Polynesian ones, have used Nazi symbols because they communicate being anti-social. You don't shout sieg fucken heil because you're a Nazi, but…

Is that similar to the use of swastikas by members of largely Polynesian gangs?

so polys arent allowed to be anti semitic ?...thats racialist:)

and i'm way partial to calling people fucktards.

OTOH, I have gay friends who might refer to themselves as "faggots". It's all about context.

By analogy, perhaps a person with learning difficulties referring to herself as 'retarded' is one thing, but another person using the word 'retarded' in reference to her is another.

It's different again — these kids are identifying with niggaz, because they are taking cultural cues from hip hop music.

Is that similar to the use of swastikas by members of largely Polynesian gangs?

That's my context, be-atch. Deal.

Word.

On the other hand, "nigger" didn't use to be such a bad word ...

Damn, do I have to get out my offence taking pants with the special panty waist...

And we're not even getting to white kids from the North Shore who greet each other with "Yo, mah nigga!"

…

You're not twisting far enough. Imagine you and a blind person entering a darkened room. Whose relationship with the light switch is "special"?

Ahaa! But who is more likely to have a torch.
;-)

And there is the difference "combination of words" as opposed to just words.

That would depend what language you're using, and the formal rules for distinguishing words, if words and morphemes are in fact distinct. Does this ruling apply only in…

Whatever the name, young people whose parents get the Child Disability Allowance (and…

it derived from "Special Needs" which, to a point, is a good way of describing someone who needs a bit of help, more so than "Others" (excuse the deliberate logical twist).

You're not twisting far enough. Imagine you and a blind person entering a darkened room. Whose relationship with the…

"Homophobia is Gay"

Jimbo: "You kissed a girl? That's so gay!"

Using only complimentary words to get someone condemned---not quite what was asked for above, but nice all the same. A good example of causing offence using only compliments?

Certainly good telly!

regardless of whether any information is conveyed to anyone or not

Huh? I would think most of the legal test you're think of are in precisely those terms.

Cued into the tone perfectly, despite missing the actual meaning?

Exactly. I think Salinger was trying to show how the intention behind a derogatory term is much more powerful and easy to interpret than the term itself.

It does pass.

Good to hear. It passed quickly for us, perhaps because the cause of his disability is known, a stroke. Makes it a pretty easy sell that he's not 'normal' in every way.

Dyan

The boy is so upset that he disappears and is finally found crying inconsolably

…

head to your nearest printers, print and distribute names of name suppressed entertainer.

There are no words banned there, Information is suppressed. Banning isn't really an idea that can be applied to information, it's just there.

The words themselves are not intrinsically related to the restriction. The aspect that is…

(Okay, 'Pi', which was the name of a fantail, but that's what it sounded like.)

So every term that could ever be come up with will be used in a derogatory way eventually. It's mostly in how it's done, rather than the words used. Tone, non-verbals etc.

Exactly what Ben said.

JD Salinger wrote a short story called Down at the Dingy portraying exactly that.…

It's different again — these kids are identifying with niggaz, because they are taking cultural cues from hip hop music.

yeah I hear you. just the correlation of location and colour blindness compelled me to mention it

My son has just come back from the Special Olympics national games in Palmerston North with several medals for swimming.

YAY!

Maybe it's something in the water, it reminds me of a 10 year old half Chinese boy I knew on the shore who used to complain about those gooks.

It's different again — these kids are identifying with niggaz, because they are taking cultural cues from hip hop music.

And we're not even getting to white kids from the North Shore who greet each other with "Yo, mah nigga!"

Maybe it's something in the water, it reminds me of a 10 year old half Chinese boy I knew on the shore who used to complain about those gooks, I'd…

I don't really have an acceptable lexicon for discussing my son's issues. Respectful people will cue off the words I use. I'm yet to meet anyone disrespectful.

That's insightful, Ben.

The trickiest is the people who want to say he's 'normal', and seek to find every behavior normal.

Oh yeah.…

I need to get hip to the scene clearly.

And we're not even getting to white kids from the North Shore who greet each other with "Yo, mah nigga!"

My son has just come back from the Special Olympics national games in Palmerston North with several medals for swimming.

Cool.

I fear Mr Talslov has faked an Organisation.

Heh.

I'd sincerely like to see someone try to get arrested intending offence using only compliments.

That would make excellent television.

I expect a fully developed script collaboration between Craig Renapia and Ian Dalzeal on my desk by the end of the week.

OTOH, I have gay friends who might refer to themselves as "faggots". It's all about context.

I need to get hip to the scene clearly.

Sir, both my former teachers and my Google dictionary search say you are mistaken.

Russell's original comment send me off to Wikipedia, where I found that Wikipedians apparently think some odd pairs of vowels identical.

And I think we both have misgivings about the name of the "invalid's benefit".

Would anybody really object if it were called "Cash for Cretins" or "Money for the Moronic"?
Yes, I suppose they would but it's better than nothing.
I suppose that people that complain, just want to be taken…

I'd sincerely like to see someone try to get arrested intending offence using only compliments.

That would make excellent television.

But which way are these trends going?

It's complex. Only 58% of viewers surveyed by the BSA this year were offended by the word "fuck", down from 70% in 2006. When Peter Jones declared to a radio reporter "I'm absolutely buggered," after the All Blacks' momentous 1956 win against the…

I can't remember the advertising...it must have worked.

Garden waterfalls..

I can't help hearing "invalid" as in "not valid".

I recommend deliberately pronouncing it that way. Especially when around those who had a chance to change its name but chose not to.

It is not the words, per se, but the intended offence.

Mark sat for a time pondering; cunt......stable, cunt....stable, cunt..stable. damn. :D

In the first case yes. The second it's most assuredly the words. I'd sincerely like to see someone try to get arrested intending offence using only compliments.

My son has just come back from the Special Olympics national games in Palmerston North with several medals for swimming.

Brilliant!

He's not retarded or mentally defective and he's not an imbecile or an idiot. However, all of these words have been used by policy people in the past to…

Why else would someone cough up ten grand toward a party for a bunch of internet geeks.

I can't remember the advertising...it must have worked. They were advertising Panadol? I felt strangely compelled towards it on Saturday.

We are not the right demographic and the advertisers know that.

ORLY, Paul? I'm going to be dragging my pointy headed elitist arse down to Wellington next February to squee all over Neil Gaiman among other things-- and have quite happily cancelled my booking at Heritage Hotels' otherwise perfectly agreeable…

I fear Mr Talslov has faked an Organisation. Unless, of course, you were referring to the FCC Mr. T

Mindfully approach your nearest police officer, try "you are a fucking cunt." or alternatively, head to your nearest printers, print and distribute names of name suppressed entertainer. You'll soon find out…

We are not the right demographic and the advertisers know that.

Yes, anyone who threatens that they will not buy something from an advertisement because of offense taken to some buffoonery in a show is probably in the 'too hard' basket. Advertising is meant to slip in under your consciousness,…

emotional provocation is what the audience has been trained to want

True. Though it might be nice if at least occasionally it came at the expense of rich white wankers instead of the usual targets.

He's not retarded or mentally defective and he's not an imbecile or an idiot. However, all of these words have been used by policy people in the past to label…

But some organization out there is banning words and combinations thereof.

I fear Mr Talslov has faked an Organisation. Unless, of course, you were referring to the FCC Mr. T
As celebrated by the inimitable Mr. Eric Idle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ajZ-5kTXk

That'd be the weather.

You saw it too! Mon dieu.

Much as I sympathise with the campaign of protest to advertisers, I doubt its effectiveness and I won't be…

An "unfortunate" side-effect of bleeping swearing is that it makes everything sound like 'fuck' if you can't see the lips, and if you can it's completely bloody pointless.

You mean like Jimmy Kimmel's Unnecessary Censorship?

Even that's changing fairly rapidly, when it comes to interviewees swearing. I've heard "shit" on the news several times

An "unfortunate" side-effect of bleeping swearing is that it makes everything sound like 'fuck' if you can't see the lips, and if you can it's completely bloody pointless.

Still, I did…

I heard them mention that fucker Tane

That'd be the weather.

News and other shows will often not use certain words. You probably haven't heard many swear words on the 6pm news, and if they're reporting on someone who said it they'll normally bleep it out.

Even that's changing fairly rapidly, when it comes to interviewees swearing. I've heard "shit" on…

I have seen Oliver Driver fake an orgasm

You're talking about "snakeskin" right? That was disturbing...

So even the "worst" word is acceptable in context.

Even these trends change however. When the 'bugger' ad came out the debate about that was on the news (can't remember if the newsreader said it or not). You wouldn't have had that on the news 20 years earlier (or on…

News and other shows will often not use certain words. You probably haven't heard many swear words on the 6pm news, and if they're reporting on someone who said it they'll normally bleep it out.

Indeed — and I don't think I'm the only person who thinks transmitting in prime…

Build a bridge and get over it!!

I believe the correct expression is "build a motorway overpass" and get over it.

But some organization out there is banning words and combinations thereof.

News and other shows will often not use certain words. You probably haven't heard many swear words on the 6pm news, and if they're reporting on someone who said it they'll normally bleep it out.

Even these trends change…

Really not sure I want to see Oliver Driver fake an orgasm

I have seen Oliver Driver fake an orgasm — it's the thought of anyone having a real one all over the hallowed boards of the Downstage that creeps me out. Just remember the wise advice of Mrs. Valerie…

Oh that's a simple one; if it impinges in any way whatsoever on white middle-class heterosexual married folk it is…

I'm not sure what my opinion would be if they faked orgasms,

Really not sure I want to see Oliver Driver fake an orgasm and absolutely certain I don't want to see PH try ... shudder

I was wondering if he had some slightly less catastrophic way of discovering 'marginal personalities', short of unleashing them in a bar or on national TV.

May I humbly suggest staff Christmas parties? If anything can reveal the "real person", it's half a litre of spiked eggnog and an unattended…

Implying that there's something wrong with people

I believe the word I used was retarded.

re·tard·ed (rĭ-tär'dĭd)
adj.

1.

Often Offensive Affected with mental retardation.
2.

Occurring or developing later than desired or expected; delayed.

The point I was making was entirely related to;

shifts in community standards.

I don't think it took any elaboration to figure out it was a polite euphemism for "their brains and mouths are not always on the best of terms", if not "they'd get beaten up in bars a lot if they weren't on radio".

I was wondering if he had some…

No, it isn't. As I said in the post, I used it on TV myself this year. The BSA doesn't "ban words".

Indeed — and sorry for not picking up on the point of the post. Guess I've gotten "desensitised" to the editorial board of the New Zealand Herald having…

NatRad was still going on about the Adagio fiasco on Midday Report. There were gasps, apparently, from members of the audience, when the offending words were spoken and the offending orgasm faked.

I was at least impressed they didn't just go to McCoskrie for an easy quote about how awful…

No, it isn't. As I said in the post, I used it on TV myself this year. The BSA doesn't "ban words".

But some organization out there is banning words and combinations thereof.

s. But there was a long post and an even longer discussion about the Prominent Entertainer case…

weren't you just discussing the use of the word cunt, and isn't that a banned word?

No, it isn't. As I said in the post, I used it on TV myself this year. The BSA doesn't "ban words".

Everything has something to do with everything else. the acceptability of language…

it just doesn't have anything to do with this issue.

What do you think this is? an internet thread or something?
Now, to get back on topic. I must go to Bunnings and buy a new spatula for my hotplate.

but it just doesn't have anything to do with this issue.

Everything has something to do with everything else. the acceptability of language useage is on the agenda today, wasn't it?

banned words

But the words in one case aren't banned, and the others are a name.

The story you linked to is interesting in a couple of ways, but it just doesn't have anything to do with this issue.

Sir, both my former teachers and my Google dictionary search say you are mistaken.

Mostly ...

They're slippery concepts, but I believe what I put up above is the standard explanation to English students. Sometimes you'll hear that alliteration is the repetition of the initial sound of words, regardless of…

I don't think it took any elaboration to figure out it was a polite euphemism for "their brains and mouths are not always on the best of terms", if not "they'd get beaten up in bars a lot if they weren't on radio".

That second one is rather good.

Nope, sorry. You're thinking of consonance vs. assonance. Alliteration includes both.

Sir, both my former teachers and my Google dictionary search say you are mistaken.

Mostly ...

Did he elaborate what he meant by marginal?

I don't think it took any elaboration to figure out it was a polite euphemism for "their brains and mouths are not always on the best of terms", if not "they'd get beaten up in bars a lot if they weren't on…

Why are we expected to spend breakfast looking at presenters?

You're not, you're fully entitled to turn off it and converse with the famille, do the crossword, or listen to the bird song outside the fenestra. You are expected to eat something.

Unfortunately, on camera, he is sometimes a mean-spirited…

Well to be really picky:

Heh. "Pendant" is an in-joke around these parts ...

Alliteration includes both.

Well, there you go. Looks like Russell's and my high school english teachers may have both been taught by the same ignorant oaf.

Pendant alert

The pedant dangled from the pendant

from Phil who never makes mistakes

There were gasps, apparently, from members of the audience, when the offending words were spoken and the offending orgasm faked.

Nah, they were faking offence.
If you ain't with em yer agin em!
Faking organisms in the ordiance.
That ain't alliteration that's just bad spelling.

Pendant alert: if I recall correctly, the headline in Jaquie Brown was itself an example of assonance, not alliteration.

Alliteration uses repeated consonant, assonance relies on repeated vowel sounds.

Nope, sorry. You're thinking of consonance vs. assonance. Alliteration includes both.

Having appeared on TV with Paul Henry many times, I can confirm the impression that in person he is often funny and charming. Unfortunately, on camera, he is sometimes a mean-spirited bully.

I'm not sure what your conclusion is Russell. Does that make it OK? Not OK? Not so bad?…

Pendant alert: if I recall correctly, the headline in Jaquie Brown was itself an example of assonance, not alliteration.

Alliteration uses repeated consonant, assonance relies on repeated vowel sounds.

Quite so, but as a satirical take on a certain Ak. newspaper, an incorrect headline is surely more approprite than a…

Unlike Laws, say, who works really hard at it.

In other news, pantomime audiences were heard to say "ooh" in response to innuendo spoken by men dressed…

Alliteration uses repeated consonants, assonance relies on repeated vowel sounds.

Despite the fact that 80% of Aucklanders abhor alliteration I have to say

Competition canters to Christchurch confabulist?

My poor attempt to say that Ian Dalziel had better redouble his efforts.

I'm minded of what Newstalk's Bill Francis said on Media7 recently about how those in his charge were often "marginal" personalities — the same thing that made them vulnerable to dreadful lapses of judgement was what made them work on talk radio.

Did he elaborate what he meant by marginal?

But, because it was CYF, the moral outrage that no one actually seems to be expressing is news all over this morning.

I woke up to this at 7 and found the whole report very confusing. If the reporter had wanted to make some kind of point, you'd think she…

I'm interested that there's been so little discussion of what I fancied were the main points of the post.

Those being, the Herald's writer's ignorance of how statutory Broadcasting Standards work, and related panic attack about "banned" words that aren't actually banned.

I guess most people see this sort of…

Generally the same ones who insist they're just doing their job when they do it ...

Yes, it goes hand in glove with the boot being on the other foot, as they say in places where people wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Mixed message mangling Monday, metaphorically.

So, watching your vicious blood chilling attacks on the hapless victims of Media7 is just an illusion?

I confess, some people whose work we've critiqued this year are convinced it's personal. Generally the same ones who insist they're just doing their job when they do it ...

Having appeared on TV with Paul Henry many times, I can confirm the impression that in person he is often funny and charming. Unfortunately, on camera, he is sometimes a mean-spirited bully.

You mean the camera lies, damn it, whooda thought.
So, watching your vicious blood chilling attacks on the…

I'm interested that there's been so little discussion of what I fancied were the main points of the post.
Those being, the Herald's writer's ignorance of how statutory Broadcasting Standards work, and related panic attack about "banned" words that aren't actually banned.

Dog bites man, I'm afraid.

Those being, the Herald's writer's ignorance of how statutory Broadcasting Standards work, and related panic attack about "banned" words that aren't actually banned.

Having appeared on TV with Paul Henry many…

I believe morally and emotionally stunted might be an acceptable phrase. For now.

Does 'try-hard' come to mind?

I'm having a hard time keeping up with when I should be shocked and outraged, and when I should be decrying the PC nanny state. Could someone help me out?

Why, I do believe I can, sir. For any particular issue, simply determine Ian Wishart's position on it, and take…

More than two decades in the limelight have ensured Henry's past has been well documented – from his emigration to England when he was 11, to his poverty as a teen, to his near death experiences as a foreign correspondent.

And that reminded me of this.…

Yeah, I can live with that.

So relaxed he's horizontal. :)

Tear in the eye at Robert Martin winning lifetime Hall of Fame recognition. They perhaps understated how significant his contribution has been…

and screw the ratings. i'd like to see a jello wrestling battle of the gay…

I imagine that it would be expensive to break Henry's contract

Given that he's on a warning since the last episode and there's now a new code of conduct, I wouldn't count on that.

Hence the crafted pr handjob in the Sunday News about that good bloke Paul. Note the…

I imagine that it would be expensive to break Henry's contract, and so TVNZ are stuck with defending him.

I certainly think that was the real reason why the BBC hasn't sacked Jonathan Ross and Chris Moyles. It's funny how much easier it is for the BBC to cap a…

I have been wracking my brainz trying to remember where I picked that one up.

Ohh, Jaquie

Snap

I have been wracking my brainz trying to remember where I picked that one up.

Here.

They I/V'd Bill Hasting for midday report who explained that (yay!) the only limit on a theatre performance is public indecency.

That was a particularly funny episode, I thought.

I have been wracking my brainz trying to remember where I picked that one up. It was an enormous and wonderful weekend preceded by a woefully wicked week.
Cheers to all who sailed in it, annat.
;-)

I don't even recall the swear word in An Adagio Christmas, and while there was a subtle sensual overtone to parts of it, there was nothing at all x-rated, r-rated or even pg-rated.

Kids will love the show. It is loads of fun.

If there really weren't any 4-letter words…

The larger question is why any of this is on television in the first place. Why are we expected to spend breakfast looking at presenters? Why not scientists or educators? Or a soap opera?

Precisamundo. The problem is not Paul Henry, loathsome as he is.

I imagine that it would be expensive to break Henry's contract, and so TVNZ are stuck with defending him.

They could put him on permanent gardening leave until his contract expires, and write it off as a teachable moment...

OTOH, I don't jump down my kid's throat if he uses…

Henry is a narrow minded right wing thug. But one that rates way higher than his colleagues at TV3.

80% of Aucklanders abhor alliteration

That was a particularly funny episode, I thought.

On the Paul Henry thingy, I've picked up on an idea from PAS's own Craig Ranapia, and got together some info on how people can pressure Breakfast's main advertisers. Please do give it a go

Done – thanks for providing the addresses and the template email, which I dressed up…

You did indeed and I liked that but you appeared on his show and you were gentle on him. David, I don't know you but you seem to exude kindliness and humanity. So does Pippa Wetzell. Why don't you people just tell him where to get off?

I'm sure David…

I don't use either term but I don't like the alternatives either. I wouldn't be able to say someone had a learning disability unless I knew what their learning experience actually was.

That has been covered in a great many stories though, and in the book that Henry was holding…

I imagine that it would be expensive to break Henry's contract, and so TVNZ are stuck with defending him.

TVNZ put a lot of effort into creating celebrities — now they have to wear the consequences. Maybe if they invested less in personality cults and more in, you know, journalism…

Yes, that is the official position. But you don't jump down your kids' throat for saying a computer interface is retarded; I'm guessing you would if he said the interface…

TVNZ put a lot of effort into creating celebrities — now they have to wear the consequences. Maybe if they invested less in personality cults and more in, you know, journalism…

I did make the argument that we should mock the powerful, not the vulnerable.

You did indeed and I liked that but you appeared on his show and you were gentle on him. David, I don't know you but you seem to exude kindliness and humanity. So does Pippa Wetzell.…

A user interface might be described as "retarded" — but never, so far as I can recall, an actual person.

I'm normally a big proponent of focussing on intent – I hate when people get worked up by a comment when clearly the intent they are inferring wasn't there.
But…

You do realise the only thing his employer cares about is ratings and he just guaranteed them a bigger audience.

Ummm... I would have thought this statement was implicit in my comment?

complete loss of moral compass by his employer

snort

You do realise the only thing his employer cares about is ratings and he just guaranteed them a bigger audience. he'll probably get a bonus.

And as for why the ladies on the show tolerate him – um they are paid…

One thing, though. It seems to be generally believed that he used the word 'retard'. In fact, I don't believe he did. He mocked the fact that Susan Boyle was 'mildly retarded'. Bad enough, you may well say, but I think we need to get the charge sheet right.

Fair…

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the Orcon Great Blend on Friday night (and I regard just turning up and having a good time as a contribution).

Thanks, yourself – and others, no doubt – for organising it.

Bad enough, you may well say

.

Actually, I think it's worse. Slinging the word "retard" around is one thing, actually pointing to someone who has problems and inviting people to laugh at those problems is just nasty. As my mother would have said, he is a nasty little man.

I was disappointed that a smiling David Slack appeared on the programme last week.

I'm disappointed if the impression I conveyed was that I didn't disapprove of what he'd said. I was trying to provide an opportunity for him to mend bridges. I did make the argument that we should…

He could use the most decorous language possible, but he'd still be a sneering eejit who goes for the cheap laughs — just less oafish and more polished.

It's as…

Kids will love the show. It is loads of fun.

I quite enjoy the dynamics of…

They interviewed the Director of CYS who'd…

Also, via Balloon Juice, here's another way people can make idiots of themselves. Mark my words, it's only a matter…