Comments on: Just the facts … about ‘Tropic Thunder’

By: Wendy

Wendy — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:18:57 +0000

I think that we have taken things way too far in our society today. We are a nation that is very easily offended. However, we are also a nation that doesn’t stop and think before we speak. I thank whoever put the information together regarding the content of this movie and I will be sure not to watch it.

I have the privilege to work with people with developmental disabilities and mental retardation and they are among the most caring, real, and loving people in my life. Why would anyone who knows anyone with these disabilities ever say anything that would hurt them? What people need to do is to stop and get to know one another and use words that are encouraging and uplifting and not hateful in any way. Thank you

By: threeboys

threeboys — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:00:35 +0000

First let me start by saying that I have not seen the movie. Our third son is five years old with Down Syndrome and he is the love of our lives. And by that I don’t only mean our families lives but everyone that knows him. I have never thought of him as a ‘retard’. Does he have different needs? Yes, but don’t we all sometimes?

A good friend of mine once, soon after he was born, apologized to me for saying her dog was retarded in front of me. She was so upset about it and soon after apologized all over the place to me. The funny thing is is that I didn’t even remember her saying it. As she was apologizing and crying, I explained to her that I never thought of him that way so it went right over my head.

I am not offended by the words ‘retard’ or ‘retarded’. I do however pity those who use it as a means to insult someone. Is that someone my son? Absolutely not!!!! He brings out the best in everyone that knows him and is a complete joy. That is something not many of us can say about ourselves.

By: Really

Really — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:42:00 +0000

Sheree…..For someone who is all about standing up for people, not saying things that might hurt someone elses feelings, etc. Telling someone that they need a psychologist for voicing their own opinion in a free country is just as bad. And as for this whole protest, I think you all just want to be noticed! I really don’t think that any of this has to do with the word “retard” as you all claim. It’s just an excuse for you all to annoy the rest of us who didn’t find this movie offensive in any way!

By: Sheree

Sheree — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:41:17 +0000

S-
What an uneducated statement! Yes, you can absolutely consider the “R” word a hate word. It absolutely CAN be catergorized with the word “nigger”!
Let me explain something to you, a little educational guidence.. Years ago when black people were slaves (Not all slaves came from Africa)and even after these people were freed from slavery, the US government refered to these individuals, in census reports as Negro’s. The word “Nigger” was derived from there. Fortuately the government has taken the word negro out of the catergories listed.
The Social Security Administration, has recently taken the words mental retardation out of the governmental terminology and categories. Mental retardation has been replaced with developemental disorders or cognitive deficits. So yes, the government recognizes the negative impact that both of these words have inflicted upon other people, both of race and abilities.
If you feel so strongly and oppose the word Nigger to the extent that you have indicated, by all means start your own campaign and rally against the use of this word! You state that this particular word is intended to “hurt and discredit black people” I agree with you in that aspect and I do not say that word or teach my children to be racists! If you have a spanish dictionary, why don’t you take a look at how the spanish speeking population pronounce the color black… I have no issues with people of different cultures, races or religion. However, I do find your “double standard” state of mind to be of interest and concern. You may want to look under the “P’s” in the yellow pages for a psychologist that may be able to help you with your issues! Good Luck!

By: S

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:35:13 +0000

I honestly think this is a huge over-reaction. A couple of points,

*Retard* isn’t hate speech, *Nigger* is.
Ben Stiller doesn’t hate people with disabilities because he uses it in the movie.

People use the word *nigger* when they want to hurt or discredit black people. (I don’t use the term African-American on purpose, it offends my friends from Jamaica who are black and aren’t African)

This is the definition of “retard”, and why it was used for disabled people
Retard (re tard)
–verb (used with object)
1. to make slow; delay the development or progress of (an action, process, etc.); hinder or impede.

The reason “retard” is now a bad connotation for people with disabilities is because it was associated with disabled people in the first place. When it was no longer acceptable to refer to someone as retarded, the proper term then became handicapped, which now is no longer acceptable either. In 5 years, disabled will no longer be accepted and a new term will come into play and all the people who are using disabled will be looked down on as ignorant and uncaring.

Let’s just call everyone with disabilities “super awesome cool people”, it will make everyone happy for about a year, until nobody wants to be called awesome anymore and it becomes a derogatory word that nobody uses.

I don’t think most of the people here really care about disabled people, if they did they would just ignore the movie. The movie would sell a couple tickets leave the theater in two weeks and disappear on the blockbuster comedy shelf next to “Ghost Dad”. Instead, you’ve all dedicated a huge amount of time tooting your self-righteous horn and look at how right I am. In the process you’ve given a mediocre movie tons of publicity and increased ticket sales.

At the end of the day all of you are forgetting about free speech. Sorry, but free speech includes things that you’re not always going to agree with.

At the end of the day, it’s just a movie, a very mediocre movie with bad jokes that’s meant to be funny. All of you would realize that if you weren’t retarded.

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:14:05 +0000

By the way,

“. . . [A]rt is valid for the warmth and love it carries within it, even if it be the lightest entertainment, or the bitterest satire, or the most shattering tragedy.” - Leonard Bernstein

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 19:59:11 +0000

The first time in recent history that I heard the r-word in the media was Matt Dillon’s character in “Something About Mary”. It was obvious, when he was callous toward Mary’s brother and his friends, we are supposed to be appalled with him - to see him as a clueless, selfish jerk.

Stiller should have been sophistacted enough to understand the character development when he appeared in that film.

The words we speak and the ideas we put forth define who we are. Character development doesn’t just happen in the movies, but in real life.

Eveidently, those who are responsible for this film want us to see them as cluless, selfish jerks - otherwise, they can’t be any good at what they do.

By: Yaremi P.

Yaremi P. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:40:01 +0000

Put me on the list for boycotting ‘Tropic Thunder’
thanks, Yaremi

By: TVDSA President

TVDSA President — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:09:18 +0000

After reading several of the comments here and elsewhere on this topic, I think the single biggest problem is that a lot of people are completely missing the point… Yes it is “just a movie” and yes the movie has wide ranging offensive commentary on a variety of areas. That is not really the primary concern.
I consider myself to be fairly “thick-skinned”, having been in the military and able to “cuss like a sailor” with the best of them. My point here is that I am not easily offended, However as a father of a 7 year old with Down syndrome this really hits home for me — and THAT is the point. If this, or anything else for that matter, is offensive to even ONE person, no one has the right to tell them to “get a life” or “give it a rest”. I submit that this IS my life and I choose to support change regarding the use of this and other hate speech as I see first hand how it affects me and my family as well as so many others around us every day. Some will say that it was not directed at anyone in particular or that they are “just acting”. Well, acting and movies do mirror our society and can affect changes for both good and bad - so given the opportunity, what would you choose? And in the end, that is really all this movie is - an opportunity. It does not matter if you like the movie, hate it or never see it — it simply gives us an opportunity to say no to words like “retard”, “retarded” and other similar hate speech, regardless of it’s origin, target or meaning — however benign.
The fact that some do not find it offensive at all gives me pause — How or when has the word “retard” or “retarded” ever been considered positive?
I hope that people will see the big picture here and regardless of the catalyst, seize the opportunity to say NO to this type of speech and support others in that cause.

By: Joe C

Joe C — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:13:38 +0000

It’s just a movie. It is rated R wich means only adults should watch it and they can also use their adult discretion. As far as children watching the movie, they shuld have been stopped by their parents and if their parents raised them right they would know that it is not a word you are supposed to use. I am gay and I have no rights at all! You don’t see me trying to boycott every movie that says fag. I think that mentally and physically challenged individuals should be happy that they have rights and the state even recognizes they exist