I absolutely adore the Queen of Spain. She is one smart lady. She stands up for what she believes in and I admire that.

Truth be known, I’m not sure what my politics are these days.

I do however believe that action needs to be taken against the rampant negative use of the word retard.

It’s use is too common, too widespread, and used with too much insult and hurt.

Take for example movies like Tropic Thunder, and the many disgusting You Tube videos that get posted.

For way too many the use of the word retard is considered to be ‘cool’. You’re one of the ‘in’ crowd if your self-depreciating humor includes that word.

And I believe that by not saying anything, we are by our silence giving our support.

As long as others point to those with special needs as a definition of all that is dumb, clumsy and insulting, how exactly will persons with special needs be fully accepted into this society?

I’ve even had nurses stand outside of Parker’s hospital room and describe something that they just did as being ‘retarded.’

My point in all of this has always been respect. And I stand by that.