Re: W. Post~ Tropic Thunder movie ~

[Guest guest]

:This is an excellent article on the movie Tropic Thunder. Everyone needs to boycott this movie. Please forward to all you know. What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is FunnyBy ShriverMonday, August 11, 2008; A15I've been told to keep my sense of humor about the film "Tropic Thunder," which opens this week. Despite my requests, I have not been given the chance to see the movie. But I've seen previews, read about it and read excerpts of the script. By all accounts, it is an unchecked assault on the humanity of people with intellectual disabilities -- an affront to dignity, hope and respect.Consider this exchange:Ben Stiller's character: "There were times when I was doing Jack when I actually felt retarded. Like really retarded." Downey Jr.'s character: "Oh yeah. Damn."Stiller: "In a weird way, I had to sort of just free myself up to believe that it was okay to be stupid or dumb."Downey: "To be a moron."Stiller: "Yeah."At another point, about acting like a person with intellectual disabilities, they say:Stiller: "It's what we do, right?"Downey: "Everybody knows you never do a full retard."Stiller: "What do you mean?"Downey: "Check it out. Hoffman, 'Rain Man,' look retarded, act retarded, not retarded. Count toothpicks to your cards. Autistic, sure. Not retarded. You know Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump.' Slow, yes. Retarded, maybe. Braces on his legs. But he charmed the pants off Nixon and won a ping-pong competition. That ain't retarded. You went full retard, man. Never go full retard."I worked with the Farrelly brothers on a film on this topic. I know about edgy comedy. I'm also told that movies are equal-opportunity offenders.So here's an equal-opportunity response to the equal-opportunity offenders:People with intellectual disabilities are routinely abused, neglected, insulted, institutionalized and even killed around the world. Their parents are told to give up, that their children are worthless. Schools turn them away. Doctors refuse to treat them. Employers won't hire them. None of this is funny.For centuries, they have been the exception to the most basic spiritual principle: that we are each equal in spirit, capable of reflecting the goodness of the divine, carriers of love. But not people with intellectual disabilities. What's a word commonly applied to them? Hopeless.Let's consider where we are in 2008. Our politics are about overcoming division, our social movements are about ending intolerance, our great philanthropists promote ending poverty and disease among the world's poor. Are people with intellectual disabilities included in the mainstream of these movements? For the most part, no. Why? Because they're different. Their joy doesn't fit on magazine covers. Their spirituality doesn't come in self-help television. Their kind of wealth doesn't command political attention. (The best of the spirit never does.)Sadly, they're such an easy target that many people don't realize whom they are making fun of when they use the word "retard." Most people just think it's funny. "Stupid, idiot, moron, retard." Ha, ha, ha.I know: I could be too sensitive. But I was taught that mean isn't funny. And I've been to institutions where people with intellectual disabilities are tied to beds or lie on concrete floors, forgotten. I've heard doctors say they won't treat them. I know Gallup found that more than 60 percent of Americans don't want a person with an intellectual disability at their child's school.I've talked to people with intellectual disabilities who cry over being insulted on a bus. I've received too many e-mails from people who are devastated not by their child's disability but by the terror of being laughed at, excluded and economically devastated.It wasn't funny when Hollywood humiliated African Americans for a generation. It's never funny when good and decent human beings are humiliated. In fact, it is dangerous and disgusting.This film is all that and more. DreamWorks went so far as to create a mini-version of Simple Jack and posted it online. The studio has since pulled it down, realizing it had gone too far, even in an age of edgy, R-rated comedies.So, enough. Stop the hurtful jokes. Talk to your children about language that is bullying and mean. Ask your friends, your educators, your religious leaders to help us to end the stubborn myth that people with intellectual disabilities are hopeless. Ask Hollywood to get on the right side of dignity.I hope others will join me in shutting this movie out of our lives and our pocketbooks. We don't live in times when labeling and humiliating others is funny. And we should send that message far and wide.The writer is chairman of Special Olympics and a columnist for washingtonpost.washingtonpost.<WBR>com's On Fait

[Guest guest]

It makes me madder than H & %$, when I hear people speak so condensending towards those with mental disabilities!! I don't know why some people feel the need to take advantage of people with mental disabilities.

Who are they??? For an example...I bet Ben Stiller made some pretty stupid mistakes durining his life time or maybe someone took advantage of him at one point, but he is a "normal" person but he just shook it off with being a little pi@@ed off!! Or how about Downey Jr, years ago didn't his behavior and antics was notice, but what was his excuse??? Oooooo I am mad!! who are they to judge and caste their stones of perfection?!

Look at the Rant and Raves on craigslist!! It seems "OK" for people to post pics of retarded kids and making a comment that ranting is like running in the special olympic. They use children and others disabilities who can't help it due to birth(genetic defects) or injuries.

People, no matter who they are, can be so cruel and unthinking!!!!

For this Tropic Thunder "SHOULD" give some of the profit off the movie to benefit people with mental disabilities!!

Thank you

Debra

To: EOHarm From: blessingsx10@...Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:35:14 -0400Subject: Re: W. Post~ "Tropic Thunder" movie ~

:This is an excellent article on the movie Tropic Thunder. Everyone needs to boycott this movie. Please forward to all you know. What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is FunnyBy ShriverMonday, August 11, 2008; A15I've been told to keep my sense of humor about the film "Tropic Thunder," which opens this week. Despite my requests, I have not been given the chance to see the movie. But I've seen previews, read about it and read excerpts of the script. By all accounts, it is an unchecked assault on the humanity of people with intellectual disabilities -- an affront to dignity, hope and respect.Consider this exchange:Ben Stiller's character: "There were times when I was doing Jack when I actually felt retarded. Like really retarded." Downey Jr.'s character: "Oh yeah. Damn."Stiller: "In a weird way, I had to sort of just free myself up to believe that it was okay to be stupid or dumb."Downey: "To be a moron."Stiller: "Yeah."At another point, about acting like a person with intellectual disabilities, they say:Stiller: "It's what we do, right?"Downey: "Everybody knows you never do a full retard."Stiller: "What do you mean?"Downey: "Check it out. Hoffman, 'Rain Man,' look retarded, act retarded, not retarded. Count toothpicks to your cards. Autistic, sure. Not retarded. You know Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump.' Slow, yes. Retarded, maybe. Braces on his legs. But he charmed the pants off Nixon and won a ping-pong competition. That ain't retarded. You went full retard, man. Never go full retard."I worked with the Farrelly brothers on a film on this topic. I know about edgy comedy. I'm also told that movies are equal-opportunity offenders.So here's an equal-opportunity response to the equal-opportunity offenders:People with intellectual disabilities are routinely abused, neglected, insulted, institutionalized and even killed around the world. Their parents are told to give up, that their children are worthless. Schools turn them away. Doctors refuse to treat them. Employers won't hire them. None of this is funny.For centuries, they have been the exception to the most basic spiritual principle: that we are each equal in spirit, capable of reflecting the goodness of the divine, carriers of love. But not people with intellectual disabilities. What's a word commonly applied to them? Hopeless.Let's consider where we are in 2008. Our politics are about overcoming division, our social movements are about ending intolerance, our great philanthropists promote ending poverty and disease among the world's poor. Are people with intellectual disabilities included in the mainstream of these movements? For the most part, no. Why? Because they're different. Their joy doesn't fit on magazine covers. Their spirituality doesn't come in self-help television. Their kind of wealth doesn't command political attention. (The best of the spirit never does.)Sadly, they're such an easy target that many people don't realize whom they are making fun of when they use the word "retard." Most people just think it's funny. "Stupid, idiot, moron, retard." Ha, ha, ha.I know: I could be too sensitive. But I was taught that mean isn't funny. And I've been to institutions where people with intellectual disabilities are tied to beds or lie on concrete floors, forgotten. I've heard doctors say they won't treat them. I know Gallup found that more than 60 percent of Americans don't want a person with an intellectual disability at their child's school.I've talked to people with intellectual disabilities who cry over being insulted on a bus. I've received too many e-mails from people who are devastated not by their child's disability but by the terror of being laughed at, excluded and economically devastated.It wasn't funny when Hollywood humiliated African Americans for a generation. It's never funny when good and decent human beings are humiliated. In fact, it is dangerous and disgusting.This film is all that and more. DreamWorks went so far as to create a mini-version of Simple Jack and posted it online. The studio has since pulled it down, realizing it had gone too far, even in an age of edgy, R-rated comedies.So, enough. Stop the hurtful jokes. Talk to your children about language that is bullying and mean. Ask your friends, your educators, your religious leaders to help us to end the stubborn myth that people with intellectual disabilities are hopeless. Ask Hollywood to get on the right side of dignity.I hope others will join me in shutting this movie out of our lives and our pocketbooks. We don't live in times when labeling and humiliating others is funny. And we should send that message far and wide.The writer is chairman of Special Olympics and a columnist for washingtonpost.washingtonpost.<WBR>com's On Fait

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[Guest guest]

A little while ago, I came across something on one of our TV news shows, where the producers(?, not sure who they were exactly, since I didn't catch it from the beginning) were claiming that this movie is a "satire" or "parody", and that the groups who are getting upset are reading it wrong. Nooo! I haven't seen anything about the movie, but if there is disparaging of people with mental disabilities happening there, this should not be available for viewing, especially by kids, and it should not be happening, period, because it DOES do GREAT damage and allows negative stereotypes to flourish. At school, it has become a big challenge to try and give extra needed help to kids who could benefit from it, without these perceived negative stereotypes getting in the way, and it does no service for adults in our communities who have various challenges, either. It lowers ALL of us to even view stuff which denigrates or disrespects others (bear in mind, I

am saying this without having seen the movie, but I am as about as interested in seeing this flick as any other which purportedly does the same). We can't accept this and call it art/comedy/satire, because we also have too many folks amongst our midst (in society, in general) who may not understand the "satire" and come to other conclusions after viewing this film. This sort of negative behavior is not accepted in schools, or at least we are trying to put an end to it. Why are we promoting or endorsing it in society at large? How kids with no obvious challenges deal with the movie and the issues, after some discussion, is one thing, but this sort of movie can affect people with more obvious challenges to a greater degree, and negatively for the most part, unfortunately. A few years ago, we had some dolt here in Toronto who skinned a cat, live, and filmed the process, and tried to pass it

off as "art". I believe he was convicted, and I hope that he is still in jail, but doubt that very much knowing our lacadaisical justice system. However, his actions did perturb a lot of people and made us think of what is "OK" as art. In my mind, poking fun at people with disabilities or challenges is not OK and does not make for good 'art'. Unfortunately, it is easy to do, and gets a laugh out of some "ignoramuses" who do not seem to have a soul. Bringing out the humour, while still being respectful to people who encounter various challenges, is likely more difficult and time-consuming to do. But, it is possible! Tricia Regan managed that very well in bringing "Autism: The Musical" to us. Here was a movie which showed the shortcomings/challenges faced by her subjects, but also followed and celebrated their successes. This sort of movie adds a positive human element to disabilites and provides a sense of hope and encouragement, which is much needed by so many, disabled or

not. I guess we can all vote with our feet and pocketbooks. Avoid the crap, alert others to it, and invest in the more positive works, and share these as much as possible. Aasadebra smith wrote: It makes me madder than H & %$, when I hear people speak so condensending towards those with mental disabilities!! I don't know why some people feel the need to take advantage of people with mental disabilities. Who are they??? For an

example...I bet Ben Stiller made some pretty stupid mistakes durining his life time or maybe someone took advantage of him at one point, but he is a "normal" person but he just shook it off with being a little pi@@ed off!! Or how about Downey Jr, years ago didn't his behavior and antics was notice, but what was his excuse??? Oooooo I am mad!! who are they to judge and caste their stones of perfection?! Look at the Rant and Raves on craigslist!! It seems "OK" for people to post pics of retarded kids and making a comment that ranting is like running in the special olympic. They use children and others disabilities who can't help it due to birth(genetic defects) or injuries. People, no matter who they are, can be so cruel and unthinking!!!! For this Tropic Thunder "SHOULD" give some of the profit off the movie to benefit people with mental

disabilities!! Thank youDebra To: EOHarm From: blessingsx10aolDate: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:35:14 -0400Subject: Re: W. Post~ "Tropic Thunder" movie ~ :This is an excellent article on the movie Tropic Thunder. Everyone needs to boycott this movie. Please forward to all you know. What 'Tropic Thunder' Thinks Is FunnyBy ShriverMonday, August 11, 2008; A15I've been told to keep my sense of humor about the film "Tropic Thunder," which opens this week. Despite my requests, I have not been given the

chance to see the movie. But I've seen previews, read about it and read excerpts of the script. By all accounts, it is an unchecked assault on the humanity of people with intellectual disabilities -- an affront to dignity, hope and respect.Consider this exchange:Ben Stiller's character: "There were times when I was doing Jack when I actually felt retarded. Like really retarded." Downey Jr.'s character: "Oh yeah. Damn."Stiller: "In a weird way, I had to sort of just free myself up to believe that it was okay to be stupid or dumb."Downey: "To be a moron."Stiller: "Yeah."At another point, about acting like a person with intellectual disabilities, they say:Stiller: "It's what we do, right?"Downey: "Everybody knows you never do a full retard."Stiller: "What do you mean?"Downey: "Check it out. Hoffman, 'Rain Man,' look retarded, act retarded, not

retarded. Count toothpicks to your cards. Autistic, sure. Not retarded. You know Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump.' Slow, yes. Retarded, maybe. Braces on his legs. But he charmed the pants off Nixon and won a ping-pong competition. That ain't retarded. You went full retard, man. Never go full retard."I worked with the Farrelly brothers on a film on this topic. I know about edgy comedy. I'm also told that movies are equal-opportunity offenders.So here's an equal-opportunity response to the equal-opportunity offenders:People with intellectual disabilities are routinely abused, neglected, insulted, institutionalized and even killed around the world. Their parents are told to give up, that their children are worthless. Schools turn them away. Doctors refuse to treat them. Employers won't hire them. None of this is funny.For centuries, they have been the exception to the most basic spiritual principle: that

we are each equal in spirit, capable of reflecting the goodness of the divine, carriers of love. But not people with intellectual disabilities. What's a word commonly applied to them? Hopeless.Let's consider where we are in 2008. Our politics are about overcoming division, our social movements are about ending intolerance, our great philanthropists promote ending poverty and disease among the world's poor. Are people with intellectual disabilities included in the mainstream of these movements? For the most part, no. Why? Because they're different. Their joy doesn't fit on magazine covers. Their spirituality doesn't come in self-help television. Their kind of wealth doesn't command political attention. (The best of the spirit never does.)Sadly, they're such an easy target that many people don't realize whom they are making fun of when they use the word "retard." Most people just think it's funny.

"Stupid, idiot, moron, retard." Ha, ha, ha.I know: I could be too sensitive. But I was taught that mean isn't funny. And I've been to institutions where people with intellectual disabilities are tied to beds or lie on concrete floors, forgotten. I've heard doctors say they won't treat them. I know Gallup found that more than 60 percent of Americans don't want a person with an intellectual disability at their child's school.I've talked to people with intellectual disabilities who cry over being insulted on a bus. I've received too many e-mails from people who are devastated not by their child's disability but by the terror of being laughed at, excluded and economically devastated.It wasn't funny when Hollywood humiliated African Americans for a generation. It's never funny when good and decent human beings are humiliated. In fact, it is dangerous and disgusting.This film is all that and more.

DreamWorks went so far as to create a mini-version of Simple Jack and posted it online. The studio has since pulled it down, realizing it had gone too far, even in an age of edgy, R-rated comedies.So, enough. Stop the hurtful jokes. Talk to your children about language that is bullying and mean. Ask your friends, your educators, your religious leaders to help us to end the stubborn myth that people with intellectual disabilities are hopeless. Ask Hollywood to get on the right side of dignity.I hope others will join me in shutting this movie out of our lives and our pocketbooks. We don't live in times when labeling and humiliating others is funny. And we should send that message far and wide.The writer is chairman of Special Olympics and a columnist for washingtonpost.washingtonpost.<WBR>com's On Fait Reveal your inner athlete and share it with friends on Windows Live. Share now!