Colbert: ‘Palin is a f — ing retard. Get it?’
February 9th, 2010From Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report:
Following the logic of Sarah Palin’s defense of Rush Limbaugh, political humorist Stephen Colbert says Palin’s supporters should defend her by calling her a “f — ing retard.” Transcript follows.
| The Colbert Report | Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
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Colbert: … It reminds me to give Sarah Palin a big thumbs-up for standing up for the little guy. Rush Limbaugh. Last week, Sarah Palin rightfully demanded the resignation of White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel for calling liberal Democrats “f — ing retarded.”
Well, El Rushbo used the R-word himself when talking about liberal Democrats. Jim?
Video from Rush Limbaugh Show dated Feb. 3, 2010
Limbaugh: Our political correct society is acting like a giant insult has taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards. So now there’s going to be a meeting. There’s going to be a retard summit at the White House..
Colbert: But Sarah Palin explains to Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday why that’s okay.
Video from Fox News Sunday dated Feb. 7, 2010
Palin: Rush Limbaugh was using satire to bring attention to what this politically correct ..
Wallace: He used the R-word …
Palin: Used in satire … I didn’t hear Rush Limbaugh calling a group of people whom he did not agree with “f — ing retards.” And we did know that Rahm Emanuel, it’s been reported, did say that. There’s a big difference there.
Colbert: Thank you. Big difference. It was satire. Listen to Rush Limbaugh talk about the Democrats again.
Video from Rush Limbaugh Show dated Feb. 3, 2010
Limbaugh: Our political correct society is acting like a giant insult has taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards. So now there’s going to be a meeting. There’s going to be a retard summit at the White House..
Colbert: It’s so subtle, see. There’s so many layers. And Sarah Palin knows that it is okay to call someone a retard if, like Rush, you clearly don’t mean it. Which is why we should all come to her defense and say: Sarah Palin is a f–ing retard. Get it? You see? It’s satire.
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February 17th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Ok so you all seems to at least be having an honest discussion of this subject (at least compared to the blogosphere). I am not a person who has family members, or friends even, with mental disabilities. Recently this word has become the new social landmine and with good reason which I can respect. But while the word retard has become a slur against a group of people, it wasn’t originally that way. in natural science, that word literally means to slow and is a necessary part of scientific vocabulary.
Socially I cant help but remember a recent South Park episode: S13E12, in which the word fag is transferred from gay men to annoying inconsiderate people who ride motorcycles and interrupt an otherwise pleasant day. in the episode, the kids write all sorts of demeaning graffiti around town. when the gay residents see it they are obviously and reasonably upset. well, the kids man up to their act, but when asked why they think its ok to call gay people fags they respond, “Thats not cool, just because your gay doesn’t mean your a fag.” When you hyper-sensitize a word to have only a derogatory meaning, you ensure that there will always be a way to degrade and humiliate those you seek to protect. Instead wouldn’t it be better to let retard become the vernacular for a person who naturally is unhindered and yet acts in an obviously stupid way. the difference being that those with down syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, are born with these conditions and are not responsible for them. On the other hand someone who naturally is fully capable and acts with extreme stupidity is slowing humanity’s progress and is therefore a retard.
I will undoubtedly upset plenty of people here but this is an honest argument and I mean no harm, seriously
February 17th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
If you are offended by Stephen Colbert’s action, you missed the point. Sarah Palin takes offense to Emmanuel, but when Limbaugh uses the R-word it’s OK because Limbaugh was being satirical. (He was?) Colbert was pure satire on the use of the R-Word and on Mrs. Palin’s mind-numbing hypocrisy. It was one of the most clever bits of humour on TV in ages.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
The point is that they all do know better. Every single one of them. This satire argument is so over used. Every single person … Colbert, Palin, Emanuel, Limbaugh, Shriver are all doing the same exact thing. Using this and using us to get in the news.
They are all guilty of accusing others of doing exactly what they are doing. I personally am so sick of all of them.
… John Mayer cried this week because he was called out for using the N word. The African American community has worked tirelessly and still gets this ignorance but at least they call it out in a big way.
The reason this has become what it is is today is because we haven’t called it out … We have to stop apologizing for people who are using this word by saying they don’t know better — yes they do! And if they don’t then it is our fault. Stop the satire and get to the point. It is wrong!
February 12th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I disagree, MJ. Watch the video again. Colbert is clearly smirking after calling Palin a f***ing ****** and though he tries, he can’t help but laugh at what he has just done. I think that suggests that Colbert thinks what he has just done is funny.
Would you call someone the N word and then laugh about it? Even if you thought you were being satirical?
I do, however, think you’re being satirical when you write that Colbert was being an advocate for the disabled. I admit that did make me laugh.
BTW, I’m no fan of Palin. I think is was silly to demand that Rahm be fired for what he said. I would never vote for Palin for any office. That said, Colbert owes her an apology.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Hannah,
I can understand that you have interpreted SC’s comments as joining in the fun. He wasn’t having fun with it. He was letting her know that we all see her for the hypocritical, ignorant, cowardly person that she is. If you watch it, you can see Colbert’s body language and facial expression speak his true feelings. He is being an advocate for the intellectually disabled. Mrs Palin, on the other hand, was being an opportunist to get attention and attack a high official in the White House.
mj
February 11th, 2010 at 3:54 am
Emanuel made a mistake and he apologized. Who will be the first to cast a stone? He did not direct it at anyone with learning limitations. Accept his apology and just get over it folks. Rush is correct, and I disagree with him on almost everything he says. He does not like “Political Correct” *** and neither do I. The moaning media make me sick. They are nothing more than poor examples of tabloid trash and an insult to the National Enquirer. At least they don’t pretend to be other than what they are.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
people have every right to use the word retard in anyway they see fit. the freedom of speech should not be sacraficed in order to spare people’s feelings. Either get thicker skin or move some place where they restrict what people can or can not say.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I think that as my grandmother taught me, sticks and stones…, but words can never hurt me. I personally can not let every time someone uses a word that may hurt me, define who I am. They are words. If it hurts to hear these types of words, maybe you need to look inside to see why. I do not mean that in a nasty way, but that it can be hard to accept these kind of issues so we may need help sometimes. Just because your child has down syndrome, does not mean that the “R” word defines them. You have to forgive people who use words like these as common language because they have no idea how it could make someone feel, or hurt them somehow. Although I would think someone like a former governor or a mother of a child who has down syndrome would be more sensitive, if not for herself, for others.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:35 am
Oprah needs to get Maria Shriver on her show and take on this issue.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:00 am
I agree Hannah. I think it will be a while before I can view Colbert again w/out thinking of what he said.
He likely high-fived his staff and patted himself on the back for his courage and wit. But he would never have the courage to call someone the N word.
He would never have the courage to call Obama that awful phrase he used for Palin.
I hope in time that Colbert realizes his error and apologizes.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
But that is the point.
Colbert is intentionally showing that it is wrong even when it is satire, that Palin and Limbaugh cannot hide behind that defense. They are political actors, and political speech, criticism and satire, are the most entitled to protection and freedom.
That being said, Sarah Palin doesn’t have the right to excuse anyone on behalf of others. And neither do I.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Reading these comments of anger against Mr. Emanuel I feel that maybe these are politically biased comments and not real outrage for the act. To say he targeted and insulted people with disabilities, in my opinion, is a lie. As disparaging as the R-word is, he was not directing it at people with disabilities but at people without disabilities choosing to ignore reason (although I disagree with his assessment and think he should understand the frustration of his base instead of insulting them).
February 9th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Colbert says something that is profound, funny and true, and people are finding fault. Palin being treated as a political player, only proves that old tale….You can fool some of the people ALL of the time.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
We need another word that does not demean people with a disablility but defines when someone who has no disability chooses to not use thier intelligence. I would never call someone with a mental disability the R-word but do not feel like it is directed at them when used to describe someone who chooses not to use thier capacities. But I can see how this could be insulting. So I propose a new word with no ties to disabilities. Any suggestions?
February 9th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I guess I should be encouraged that even the comedians get that the R-word is indefensible, but OWWWW.
I have watched for years as my friends who are self-advocates cringe and duck into themselves when someone throws an R-bomb around. As the mom of a child with Down syndrome, I feel the same way in my heart every time I hear it myself. Thouth they/I may not be the intended targets of the R-word, we get hit every time…
Because the “awful thing” you are calling the person you are mad at is them, is my daughter and nothing can ever change that. When you say the R-word we know that’s what you think of us (or it wouldn’t be insulting, would it?) and it hurts.
The truth is, of course, that having a cognitive disability is not an “awful thing” that should be devoid of respect. People with cognitive disabilities are people who, with respect and accommodation can make their way in the world… But we can’t even get around to that conversation because we live in a bombing zone where we have to hide and self-protect all the time.
Stop the R-bombing. Stop it now.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
i’ve been looking at some of the different websites that have commented on this laughable vicious circle that Palin started. It’s quite an eye opener to see how people have misinterpreted all the remarks, especially those on the conservative end of the spectrum. On sites such as NewsBusters, there’s a clear disconnect and misunderstanding of the subtlety of what Stephen Colbert is doing.
Because Palin does not understand the definition of satire, and because it was in actuality Emanuel who was using the term ironically (even if he meant to deride those on his team) and Limbaugh who used the term matter-of-factly, Colbert was handed a gem that he had to run with. He was able to paint Palin into a corner, as a satirist, in a way that she can’t refute, because it’s SATIRE!
Although using the word as a pejorative term to demean someone is sophomoric, it just seems that Colbert is as fed up with Palin as is all of us, and just used the gem she handed him.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I for one am personally sick of having to put out fires all day long from people who don’t get how painful the R word is. So disappointing that Stephen Colbert joined in the “fun.”