@wonderwoahman: In your very first comment you mention that to you, "retarded" means "crazy", "messed up", and "bullshit".

@wonderwoahman: It has BECOME derogatory precisely because people like YOU use it as a synonym for CRAZY, MESSED UP, and BULLSHIT.

@wonderwoahman: Yeah, "That's gay" is just an expression too.

@wonderwoahman: We can absolutely say horrible things to each other. Use all the slurs you want, just own it instead of trying to explain it away as just the new vernacular of your region.

@wonderwoahman: No, I'm saying that the *new* definition of the word is exactly the problem. If "retarded" had somehow come to mean "good", no one would care. The fact that it has been so commonly used as an insult that people don't even think about it anymore and continue to use it is frightening and sad.

@wonderwoahman: You're right, neither word is inherently bad, but using either word in the way that you are using "retarded" IS incorrect and derogatory.

@wonderwoahman: Please explain to me how using the word "retarded" as a synonym for crazy/messed up/bullshit is ever a positive thing. How can you possibly dismiss this connection?

@wonderwoahman: No one's saying you can't say that word ever, just that it shouldn't be used as a synonym for something bad, and that just because you're used to hearing it that way doesn't make it right.

@GrummoreGrummersum: THIS exactly.

@wonderwoahman: It's the same thing, except that one has been more widespread than the other. Taking the word "retarded" and using it as a synonym for crazy, messed up, bullshit is no different than taking the word "gay" as an insult.

@la_peagoise: I did have my hedgehog with me at work once. Our vet appointment ran much longer than I anticipated and I didn't have time to take him home first. But, being a hedgehog, he was content to sleep in his carrier in the office the whole time.

@la_peagoise: I daydream about one day having a job where I can bring my dog to work with me. I have on occasion brought him to the theater I manage [not during business hours], and he just tears up and down the balcony steps, searches for missed popcorn, or has a makeout session with the projectionist.

Old Book Barn in Decatur Illinois has several cats, but some of them bite and would much prefer you leave them to their naps.

@wonderwoahman: I take it you also think it's perfectly acceptable to use "gay" as a synonym for "bad" too?

@TeaCats: I agree that society generally has a pretty poor idea of what women "should" look like, and a very narrow definition of what is attractive and that seeps into what we think of ourselves.

@TheyCallMeSwamper: Most of my purses also come from Target. The others, from Etsy.

@lucyjae: I've never seen her act except Traveling Pants and The Town, but I kind of love her look BECAUSE she's only "California Gorgeous". She seems girl-next-door gorgeous, and she actually bears a striking resemblance to one of my former coworkers, who is very smart and fun and easy going. I always associate her…

@EponaWearsBoots: I'm 27, and I don't go on dates in bars. There are zillions of places that people of all ages can go, so what if they choose coffee and ice cream?

@TeaCats: I feel like my breasts are too large and I'd like to get a reduction. I want them to be "proportionate to my body", yes. How is that getting out of saying "I want smaller boobs."?

@blameitonrio is gettin advanzed edumakashun!: I'm with you.