I don't want to be the speech police, but I do try to avoid using the "R-word" in my posts, but I'll use it here (and maybe even drive by Tim Walz's house and yell it out the window). My late in-laws' best friends were a couple who had a daughter with Down Syndrome. She had said never to use the R-word, and so I haven't out of respect for her. Plus, my cousins used to work at a facility for people with mental disabilities when I was growing up, and they used to bring "retards" to family get-togethers.
Retard used to be a pretty standard insult when I was growing up in the '70s and '80s, and I've noticed that it's been making a comeback. I'm seeing it more and more as I browse for stories on X. There's even an X account called "I Find Retards." I'm not sure why it's come back into the lexicon (or the word "slop," which I now see all the time). I've got to admit, I find most of the posts that use the word pretty funny.
Apparently, someone at The New York Times also noticed the reemergence of the word and, for some reason, decided to reach out to Townhall columnist Kurt Schlichter about it. He posted a column-length post about it, the main lesson being, never talk to the mainstream media.
So, I just got a call from a New York Times reporter this morning. She wanted to talk to me about the use of the word “retarded.” I’d maybe be focus on Iran or something important but whatever. Also not sure how I became a potential source, but again, whatever.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) January 15, 2026
I was not having…
… any of it.
When they call you up, they’re always very nice. And they always trash you in print. I remember when the Iraq War started, and I got a call because I was in the military and we were mobilizing troops for active duty. At that time, I spoke to the regime media. I explained that it was actually going very well and that we were taking care of our troops as we mobilized them. The very nice reporter asked me about people who were having problems. I said I didn’t know of any. Again, we were doing a pretty good job of helping these folks out. She cut off the call – she wasn’t interested in a success story. She had an agenda. She wanted to write about how reservists were getting screwed over by the military, and I didn’t fit that narrative. I didn’t make the cut in the final article, of course.
I did not cooperate this morning. Besides the fact that they have no integrity, the regime media is our enemy. And I told her so. I’m paraphrasing, because I was about to step into the shower and didn’t take notes, but I told her that the New York Times was garbage and that it had been garbage to me personally in the past and that I didn’t talk to the regime media, and she should go find another conservative source. Then I hung up.
I expect the point of the article is to pretend to defend the developmentally disabled, even though the modern usage of the word has nothing to do with the developmentally disabled and the staff of the New York Times is entirely committed to allowing these beautiful souls to be murdered in the womb, something I would ban. I’m sure I will make an appearance in this article as a designated villain. Whatever. The kind of people who read it already hate me.
I’m not going to help them.
It’s not an honor to talk to the regime media. The New York Times reporters are a bunch of mediocrities who hate your guts and will eagerly mischaracterize anything you say about anything.
They get nothing from me except contempt, and they should get nothing from you except contempt. Ever.
Wise words. Like Schlichter, I have no idea how he became a potential source. They'll probably include him in the piece anyway, just without any quotes and hewing toward their agenda. It's a valuable lesson, though. These people want nothing but to make you look bad, and they'll twist whatever you say to do it.
I’m offended I wasn’t asked!
— Will Chamberlain (@willchamberlain) January 15, 2026
This is the way.
— AwakenedOutlaw⚒️ (@AwakenedOutlaw) January 15, 2026
The best way to deal with the media is not to deal with the media.
— Michael Walsh (@TheAmanuensis) January 15, 2026
it's a hostile tactic, no surprise when your unwillingness to engage gets fashioned into a smear - proof you despise whatever and don't have the courage to stand in defense of whatever they claim is being harmed.
— The Greatest Degeneration (@1Aerosavant) January 15, 2026
Every GenX person knows what retarded means and it’s nothing to do with the mentally disabled.
— Chip (@ChipActual) January 15, 2026
It's kind of like "gay." My next-door neighbor is gay, and I'll even tell him when I think something is gay. He gets it.
If you can’t use “retarded” in the proper context, you’re gay
— CR Volcano (@BudeJim) January 15, 2026
You forgot to mention that everyone at the NY Times is retarded.
— John Seymour (@JLSeymour3) January 15, 2026
I use the word ‘retarded’ in my posts specifically to upset the appropriate people.
— Tr@ce (@TraceOutOfPlace) January 15, 2026
Actual developmentally disabled or challenged people I call by their names.
"You want to ask me about the use of the word retarded? I think everyone who works for the NYT is retarded. You can quote me on that." Then hang up.
— david does everything around here (@davidsaidwhat) January 15, 2026
It’s funny that they are doing a story on the use of the word retarded. I bet their sensitivities won’t allow them to actually print the whole word. They’ll just call it the R word. Like a bunch of retards.
— Lexi (@LexiLewley) January 15, 2026
As I said, they'll go ahead with the piece, mention that a Townhall columnist used the word, and report that he had no comment when contacted.
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