WASHINGTON – Disabilities advocates are applauding Congress for passing legislation that eliminates the term “mental retardation” from federal laws.
The measure, passed by the House by voice vote Wednesday night, changes the phrase “mentally retarded” to “an individual with an intellectual disability” in existing health, education and labor law.
Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, sponsor of the bill with Republican Sen Mike Enzi, of Wyoming, said it would make language in federal law consistent with that used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health arm of the United Nations and the White House.
“Rosa’s Law,” named after a Maryland girl with Down Syndrome, passed the Senate last month and now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
It’s good to see the “intellectually disabled” members of Congress finally do something useful.
Well, clearly, Senator Barbara Mikulski and Rep. Mike Enzi are mentally retarded.
Really? With all the pressing issues going on they had time to stop and deal with this?
Not to mention all the money that will be wasted on changing and printing new version of all the forms.
We spend far too much time in this country making people feel better about themselves.
This reminds me of when I joined the Navy and heard the term “Aircrew Station” was used instead of “Cockpit” because it was more politically correct. I thought it was a joke when I first heard it then I started seeing the term used in official publications. Until then, I never even considered the term “cockpit” to be a male reference. Oh well, if they don’t pass laws like this what would they do? Fix real problems?
So, What did this bullshit cost us?
I like brevity so how about changing “an individual with an intellectual disability” to “a tard”. I truly despise politicians.
Typical Congress – why say in 2 words what you can can say in 6 and introduce become even more vague in the process.
I don’t get it–the dems already had the retarded vote.
WOW, we got Health care and now the Mental retardation thing done.
Good work Congress!! Gee, I apologize, I thought Congress was just a bunch of worthless do nothing politicians. But I see now that is just not the case.
jescott418:
What health care thing got done?
I can not even get a quote from Cigna or Aetna for adult health care insurance in California. They both have quotes disabled on their websites by zipcode today.
So no legislation can mention liberals any more. Huh.
George Carlin weeps…
We are all looking for some future Democrats to eliminate “offensive” term “disability” from this definition and say the same, without it or any other non-PC word in few sentences. (“Retarded” have been introduced in the past to eliminate non-PC scientific terms such as idiot, moron,… deemed “offensive” at that moment).
an individual with an intellectual disability as opposed to an individual with an intellectual ability?
I am Wee Todd Ed
Sofa King
Wee Todd Ed
#3 Sorry dude but it isn’t that kind of male term. A cockpit was a small pit into which you released two cocks/roosters to fight.
Maybe a decade ago a fifth grade student told another fifth grade student not to refer to a hamster as stupid. He should refer to it as mentally challenged. Any term that doesn’t circumnavigate the world referring to smarts is not pc. I started to use all caps on not but that would no have been pc either.
Some of them also go into culture shock when I say computers are stupid, unintelligent objects and completely lacking the intelligence of mouse. With good programming they might do as well as cockroach at some things but that’s about it.
mentally retarded means you are slowed down. Intellectual disability means you can’t do something. Just like with handicapped, isn’t this worse?
I thought the plan was to abort all the retarded people.
Well, we can certainly describe members of the House as “individuals with intellectual disabilities.”
I think some of don’t understand the power of labels.
To give some one the label –Mental Retarded– first off tells them you expect very little of them and many would then think “why should I even try”. –An individual with an intellectual disability– just says their is an issue that needs to be worked around.
Having a label like Mental Retarded be institutionalized(probably not the best word to use there) in the laws of our country is a powerful injustice to those with a disability and a lazy way for many to think about any individual.
“It’s good to see the “intellectually disabled” members of Congress finally do something useful.”
Yes… >.>
dammit.
# 19 Kierkegaard was insecure said, “I think some of don’t understand the power of labels.”
Excuse me? Being labeled ‘mentally retarded’ is worse than being labeled ‘intellectually disabled’?
Rosa’s Law? To misquote Shakespeare:
“What’s in a name? A Rosa, by any other name would still be a retard.”
Happy to see Congress pass this simple legislation in supporting disabilities advocates. An opportunity for compassion and bipartisan support (well, at least one republican).
Naturally, the prude ‘pukes in here could find nothing good with this act of compassion.
How about “absence of intellect” for congress?
How would they ever know if someone was that way?
I would so much rather be called a retard than intellectually disabled.
One you can laugh off, the other is a clear, and educated insult.
“Oh look, there goes a handicapable post-traumatic stressed individual with an intellectual disability.”
Soon enough we’re going to need to compile a speech when referring to the state of Vietnam vets.
disability: Any impairment (physical or mental) which can make routine tasks more difficult or impossible.
intellect: the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills
(does not cover the power over emotion and will)
Can a person with a deficiency of will or emotion be considered ‘intellectually’ disabled? Is a very intelligent doctor (Jack) who can’t stop murdering prostitutes, intellectually disabled?
‘Mentally disabled’ covers all aspects in deficiencies of the brain including intellect and is a much better general term to use than “intellectually disabled” which defines a specific subcategory.
What ahh they – retahhhhded???
Oh, brother.
It is getting to the point where I could be arrested for saying any of the words we hear all of the time to refer to different races or groups.
I think the world has gone to fucking hell.
So what’s the short bus called now? Capacity Challenged?