mental retardation news stories on Newser

Tracy Morgan: Retarded Boys 'Strong Like Chimps'

Tim Karan — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:24:42 CDT

Maybe Tracy Morgan is pranking his publicist for a new bit on Scare Tactics . In his first live performance since his infamous anti-gay rant earlier this month, the comedian smoothed over the scandal, but instead took aim at the mentally disabled. "Don't ever mess with women who have retarded kids,...

Judge Bans Man From Sex Over Low IQ

Nick McMaster — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:45:34 CST

A UK judge has barred a man from continuing a sexual relationship with another man because of his extremely low IQ, the Telegraph reports. The 41-year-old lives in an assisted living facility, has an IQ of 48, and is "seriously challenged in all aspects of his mental functionality,” according to...

Aniston Slammed for Saying 'Retard'

Rob Quinn — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 04:18:54 CDT

The "R-word" isn't any more welcome on TV than the "N-word" is on radio, apparently. Jennifer Aniston has come under fire from disability groups after saying "retard" while being interviewed on Live with Regis and Kelly . "Yes, I play dress up!" Aniston said while discussing dressing up as Barbra Streisand...

NJ Bans the Word 'Retarded'

Kevin Spak — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:28:00 CDT

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a law today forbidding state laws or rules to use the term “mentally retarded” to refer to those with intellectual disabilities. “This is making sure each citizen in our state is treated with the respect they deserve,” Christie said. “It’s their government too.” The...

What's Wrong With 'Retard'

Nick McMaster — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:04:58 CST

In the wake of the furor over Rahm Emanuel and Rush Limbaugh's liberal use of the word "retard," Special Olympics CEO Tim Shriver reminds us why the word matters: it represents a damning and hurtful social stigma. Intellectual disabilities advocates aren't looking to ban the word "retard"—they want to...

Rush Is With Rahm on Lefty 'Retards'

Will McCahill — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:04:00 CST

In a rare move today, conservative megaphone Rush Limbaugh agreed with Rahm Emanuel on something—though the confluence might not please Sarah Palin. The former vice-presidential nominee wants the White House chief of staff fired for using “retarded” in derogatory fashion, but Limbaugh said on his radio show today that...

Palin Wants Emanuel Fired for Using the R-Word

Kevin Spak — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:22:12 CST

Sarah Palin wielded her Facebook page last night to call for the head of Rahm Emanuel, who reportedly called some liberal groups “fucking retarded” during a closed-door health care strategy meeting in August. Palin likens the chief of staff's comment to using the “N-word,” and urges President Obama, as he...

Judge Nixes New Trial for Man With 47 IQ

Kevin Spak — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:41:26 CDT

Witness after witness testified about the severity of Aaron Hart’s mental disabilities—his former special education teacher said he functions below a 1st-grade level—but Texas judge Eric Clifford ruled against giving the 18-year-old a new trial or sentencing hearing, the Chicago Tribune reports. Hart, whose IQ is 47, was...

How Thunder 's Joke Hurts the Disabled

Kate Rockwood — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 19:09:07 CDT

Patricia E. Bauer suffers every time her Downs syndrome daughter hears the word "retard." When Bauer saw ads for Tropic Thunder, which jokes about retardation, they echoed every insult that her blond, blue-eyed daughter had endured for 24 years . After weeks of debate, Bauer remains stunned by ads that feature...