"It" offends me

About a week ago, several websites carried the news that Jennifer Aniston had dropped the R word. I was appalled. Not that she dropped such a horrible word, but that I didn't know what it was. What word starting with R could cause such a stir? It finally entered my slow-to-grasp-things brain to google it. What came back was a slew of sites having something to do with Special Olympics. Okay, I now know what the R word is. I just don't understand why it's a bad word.

Retarded means delayed development, while retard means one who has delayed development. It's a shame that people have chosen to use this harmless word in a derogatory manner.

Like bitch. A bitch is a female dog, and 99% of us love dogs. They're loyal and friendly, protective of their young. Dogs love without question or fault. Shouldn't bitch be a compliment rather than an insult?

And there are queer and gay. A person can't use either of these words without offending someone with a differing sexual preference. I like the word queer. Queer is a queer word. Gay is happy. I'm glad homosexuals are happy with their choice, but I want to be gay, too. Just not homosexual.

I can understand why whore is an insult, but it's better than being a slut. A whore knows she has worth and demands payment. Sluts are free.

Until the day these words lose their sting, I've decided to be offended by it.