Protesters picket movie

Boy, I've been busy since my last post!

But I wanted to comment on the people picketing in Salisbury, outside the Cinema 95, which is showing the new movie, Tropic Thunder. Read all about it here.

My recap:

In this movie, apparently, there is a scene in which the character played (in black face?) by Robert Downey, Jr., uses the word "retard" 21 times.

I have not seen the movie, so I don't know in what context the word is used. But I can imagine.

Members of the Merrimack Valley Self Advocates and Mass Advocates Standing Strong stood behind the guardrail at Route 110 and waved signs reading " 'R' Should Mean Respect" and "The R-Word Is Not Funny To Me" as motorists honked in approval ...

Haverhill resident Joe Canto spent years trying to change the name of the state's Department of Mental Retardation to the Department of Developmental Services. That switch finally happened this year, but Canto said the movie's use of the word is like a step backward, and undermines a system he works for.

As usual, there is a large complement of comments from readers (and no, VWJetta is not me).

This reminds me of people protesting the classic story "Huckleberry Finn" because Mark Twain used the N-WORD in his social commentary.

Nobody gets sarcasm, satire, or just your average mockery anymore. Macy Swain blogged about this here.

Satirizing someone who uses antiquated terms is not the same as saying it's OK to do it. That's why it's satire.

I suggest these people go home, fire up their DVD players, and watch Blazing Saddles for the rest of the day.

That being said, calling someone a "retard" is not nice at all.