My point is that words evolve in meaning over in time. We don’t have to ban anything. Just use common sense. Think about context. Better yet, draw from your creative genius to make a point or to get a laugh. Don’t take the lazy way or resort to cheap shots or buy into old stereotypes to get a laugh.

Stiller is capable of comic genius. He has to learn how to tame the beast in his head. He’s out of control.

My point is that words evolve in meaning over in time. We don’t have to ban anything. Just use common sense. Think about context. Better yet, draw from your creative genius to make a point or to get a laugh. Don’t take the lazy way or resort to cheap shots or buy into old stereotypes to get a laugh.

Stiller is capable of comic genius. He has to learn how to tame the beast in his head. He’s out of control.

Now, more seriously. I can’t imagine a mechanism how to control the evolution of language. Or at least in a free society – living in Central Europe and having spent some years under communist dictature I still remember the government pigheads’ lame efforts to control it. Of course, it brought only bad fruit.

On the other hand, I can imagine how bad it can feel for the retarded people – in fact – BEING a slur. The problem is how (not where) to draw the line. IMHO the only firm lines in language can be drawn by no one, that is by all… But not after some debate and finding some conclusion. It can only “just happen”.

The social debate (or engineering) that tried to eradicate the word “nigger” has – like all those hip-hop-gangsta-niggas prove – failed. Language can’t be commanded.

Now, more seriously. I can’t imagine a mechanism how to control the evolution of language. Or at least in a free society – living in Central Europe and having spent some years under communist dictature I still remember the government pigheads’ lame efforts to control it. Of course, it brought only bad fruit.

On the other hand, I can imagine how bad it can feel for the retarded people – in fact – BEING a slur. The problem is how (not where) to draw the line. IMHO the only firm lines in language can be drawn by no one, that is by all… But not after some debate and finding some conclusion. It can only “just happen”.

The social debate (or engineering) that tried to eradicate the word “nigger” has – like all those hip-hop-gangsta-niggas prove – failed. Language can’t be commanded.

We’re also telling people that if they think it’s a spoof on action films, Apocalpse Now, Empire of the Sun, etc., & Hollywood industry be prepared for the “retard” gag and Simple Jack spoof because it will make you throw up especially if you have a kid like Jack. It will make you physically sick hearing people laughing at the way our kids act, the way they look, and the way people make fun of them.

I was so sick & so disappointed at Stiller. There was absolutely no need for Simple Jack or the “retard” thingy. The movie is solid and funny especially with nonsense between Downey, Jr. and Brandon Jackson’s character. That’s hysterical because Brandon calls Downey,Jr. on the carpet so many times.

Stiller made such a great statement in “All About Mary” about how most people can measure the degree of sincerity, honesty, humanity in a fellow human being from how people treat our family and friends with disability labels.

He was so right on track with exposing a lot of the patronizing we get in the industry, but then he does a complete 180 goes for the jugular.

There were other ways to expose the industry without compromising the integrity of our family and friends. He did it because he was ignorant and now that he has the information, he won’t do the right thing which proves what?

He’s a coward, too.

We’re also telling people that if they think it’s a spoof on action films, Apocalpse Now, Empire of the Sun, etc., & Hollywood industry be prepared for the “retard” gag and Simple Jack spoof because it will make you throw up especially if you have a kid like Jack. It will make you physically sick hearing people laughing at the way our kids act, the way they look, and the way people make fun of them.

I was so sick & so disappointed at Stiller. There was absolutely no need for Simple Jack or the “retard” thingy. The movie is solid and funny especially with nonsense between Downey, Jr. and Brandon Jackson’s character. That’s hysterical because Brandon calls Downey,Jr. on the carpet so many times.

Stiller made such a great statement in “All About Mary” about how most people can measure the degree of sincerity, honesty, humanity in a fellow human being from how people treat our family and friends with disability labels.

He was so right on track with exposing a lot of the patronizing we get in the industry, but then he does a complete 180 goes for the jugular.

There were other ways to expose the industry without compromising the integrity of our family and friends. He did it because he was ignorant and now that he has the information, he won’t do the right thing which proves what?

He’s a coward, too.

I honestly mean no disrespect, but they are being treated with the same respect as the rest of society. I cannot think of a faction of society that has not been made fun of in some way, shape or form. From race to religion to sexuality, everyone gets offended in some way. Granted people with a disability may not be able to defend themselves the same way as others, but that’s what the people around them can do. I’m all for you speaking out against the movie, voicing your concerns. But why am I not allowed to go and see this movie in it’s original form to formulate my own opinion? The general public is not as stupid as they are made out to be. We can think for ourselves. Who knows, I may go to the movie, see the entire thing in context and be offended… or laugh – which is my right.

I honestly mean no disrespect, but they are being treated with the same respect as the rest of society. I cannot think of a faction of society that has not been made fun of in some way, shape or form. From race to religion to sexuality, everyone gets offended in some way. Granted people with a disability may not be able to defend themselves the same way as others, but that’s what the people around them can do. I’m all for you speaking out against the movie, voicing your concerns. But why am I not allowed to go and see this movie in it’s original form to formulate my own opinion? The general public is not as stupid as they are made out to be. We can think for ourselves. Who knows, I may go to the movie, see the entire thing in context and be offended… or laugh – which is my right.

Perhaps the most important thing you mentioned is that offense is in the eye of the offended – even when it is unintentional.

While many critics of the film may give the impression that is sympathy that we seek, I believe it is actually dignity that we are searching for. I know that’s the case for me and my four-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome.

We don’t ask for your pity – just for her and others with cognitive disabilities to be treated with the same respect as the rest of society.

Perhaps the most important thing you mentioned is that offense is in the eye of the offended – even when it is unintentional.

While many critics of the film may give the impression that is sympathy that we seek, I believe it is actually dignity that we are searching for. I know that’s the case for me and my four-year-old daughter, who has Down syndrome.

We don’t ask for your pity – just for her and others with cognitive disabilities to be treated with the same respect as the rest of society.

Like FatRedneckVietnamVetRetard said, South Park has been offending people for years. Why have the groups that are going after Tropic Thunder not going after them? Maybe it’s because they are on cable? Or maybe they have but haven’t gotten anywhere so they have decided to go after an easire target. OK then, how about Family Guy? That is seen on FOX which I’m guessing most homes in North America have. I seem to remember an episode where Peter finds out he’s retarded. That was a full 30 minute show on the subject rather than just a 30 second clip. And I’m not sure about most people, but that show seems to provide myself and my friends with a lot of quotable lines. At least Tropic Thunder is rated R and kids can’t just turn on the TV and watch.

If you find it offensive, don’t watch it. Go ahead and picket the movie, but don’t force the studio to change things just so you don’t have to see or hear it. If the studio folds and meets the DEMANDS of the group, then studios will start to turn down borderline offensive comedy. What if because of this a studio passes on a possibly offensive movie that was destined to be the next Blazing Saddles? These groups are ruining it for the rest of us.

That’s my piece and I have said it.

* I don’t actually find the word FAT offensive, in fact I am FAT, but someone might, so I didn’t want to offend them

Like FatRedneckVietnamVetRetard said, South Park has been offending people for years. Why have the groups that are going after Tropic Thunder not going after them? Maybe it’s because they are on cable? Or maybe they have but haven’t gotten anywhere so they have decided to go after an easire target. OK then, how about Family Guy? That is seen on FOX which I’m guessing most homes in North America have. I seem to remember an episode where Peter finds out he’s retarded. That was a full 30 minute show on the subject rather than just a 30 second clip. And I’m not sure about most people, but that show seems to provide myself and my friends with a lot of quotable lines. At least Tropic Thunder is rated R and kids can’t just turn on the TV and watch.

If you find it offensive, don’t watch it. Go ahead and picket the movie, but don’t force the studio to change things just so you don’t have to see or hear it. If the studio folds and meets the DEMANDS of the group, then studios will start to turn down borderline offensive comedy. What if because of this a studio passes on a possibly offensive movie that was destined to be the next Blazing Saddles? These groups are ruining it for the rest of us.

That’s my piece and I have said it.

* I don’t actually find the word FAT offensive, in fact I am FAT, but someone might, so I didn’t want to offend them

“Is it ok to show it in one art form (drama) but not another (comedy)?”

Yes.

Vic

“Is it ok to show it in one art form (drama) but not another (comedy)?”

Yes.

Vic

I never said that the film is inappropriate, only that it has inappropriate elements.

But you raise a really important question that no one’s asked yet. How do we decide when a film is inappropriate? Who decides that?

Thanks for letting me continue to exist, my friend.

I never said that the film is inappropriate, only that it has inappropriate elements.

But you raise a really important question that no one’s asked yet. How do we decide when a film is inappropriate? Who decides that?

Thanks for letting me continue to exist, my friend.