Bill Maher's 2006 comments insulting to individuals with Down syndrome and their families, in a tirade against President Bush, have caused advocates to write letters of protest and to consider a boycott of HBO. The segment on HBO’s Real Time has been quoted throughout the internet.

Apparently Bill Maher heard the phrase during an interview several years ago and has used it perhaps whenever he feels too lazy or unimaginative to write something original. Mean spirited comedy does not hit its mark in politics or show business. I have second thoughts about voting for anyone Maher recommends or admires after learning about his disregard for families and individuals with developmental disabilities.

In 2001 families were shocked when Bill Maher stated that his two dogs were 'like retarded children' on his ABC talk show, Politically Correct. He then went on to defend his comments and further insult children with developmental disabilities.

The people who participated in the conversation with Bill Maher about his two dogs did call him on his offensive remarks. One woman defended her nine year old nephew who she described as a 'regular person' with a heart and soul.

Almost as disturbing as Maher's disrespect for people with developmental disabilities are the comments he made justifying his ridicule. His joke was that somewhere an angry Muslim man would feel compassion for a country whose leader is a 'dolt' or 'submental.'

Apparently Bill Maher is not aware that a young man with Down syndrome in Iraq was tricked into carrying a bomb in his backpack, and told to walk toward a polling place where the bomb would have killed dozens when it was detonated. Terrorists do not have compassion for people with developmental disabilities. They are cold hearted murderers who know right from wrong, and chose to do harm.

Characterizing conservative Republicans as belonging to 'an extra chromosome group' seems to be gaining in popularity among Democrats and other liberals. Maureen Dowd is often credited with keeping the phrase in play.

Why do they use this type of language to make themselves appear more clever than those who disagree with them? To many this is like using racial slurs to infer that the person using that language has a superior skin color or culture. As a political strategy, it backfires.

Remembering a speech given by a young woman with Down syndrome six years ago at the Republican National Convention, it's not surprising that they are seen to be the party that practices compassion and inclusion as well as providing opportunities to those who have something to offer to their communities, in spite of the prejudice and discrimination that are often greater challenges than a disability.

Nobody is perfect. Having a child with Down syndrome just opens a door to learning about tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. If liberals want us to vote for them because they have the best record for civil rights and human rights, they should be speaking out on this issue, and educating one another on the topic. Children with Down syndrome are born into all sorts of families, and no matter what our politics may be, we have long memories.

When leaders and policy makers assume that it's to just fine to communicate and operate from within a moral vacuum, they should not be surprised when they lose elections. They are so impressed with their own IQs, but they do not live up to their potential.

And look what the terrorists do with their potential. I am fairly certain that no one with Down syndrome is a member of Al Qaeda. There is no reason that individuals with DS should come under attack or be harrassed in any way. Belittling them certainly does not bring us any closer to peace and justice.

So far, only conservative websites and organizations that disagree with Maher's political views have spoken up on behalf of children with Down syndrome and their families, as if they consider us neighbors and voters. Liberal websites and organizations spread the Bill Maher comments as if we were neither.

The term was originally attributed to Republicans criticizing other members of their own party. When President Bush the elder used the term, he apologized publicly to the mother of a child with Down syndrome. Just a few years ago, Democrat Al Gore apologized publicly for using the phrase. At that time, our votes must have mattered to both parties.

I have brought this up at meetings with local and state elected officials and each time have heard individuals from both parties express surprise that this was happening, and apologies that families and individuals have to hear this type of remark.



L. A. Times UPI 1987
Bush Offers Apology for Remark About Extra Chromosome

NBC Apologizes to NDSS for Saturday Night Live Comment about Down Syndrome April 2007
http://www.ndss.org

Us and Them - by Mayer Shevin
http://shevin.org/articles-usthem.html

NewsBusters - Exposing and Combating Liberal Media Bias
Bill Maher Suggests President Bush Has Down's Syndrome September 9, 2006

Conservative National Debate Website
The National Debate - Maher Embraces Maureen Dowd Slur September 2004

Mocking Bush is My Patriotic Duty by Bill Maher

September 5, 2004 Amnesia in the Garden by Maureen Dowd The New York Times Opinion Op-Ed

CNN LARRY KING LIVE Interview with Bill Maher September 13, 2004

NOW Magazine - Everything Toronto Nov 11 - 17, 2004
Cover Article on Bill Maher - Four More Years

Unfriendly Fire - Slate article Available on NPR's Day to Day
Liar vs. Coward in the Vietnam Ad War

Discourage and Mark Out the N Word By Attorney Roy Miller August 1, 2006

Down Syndrome Awareness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art34845.asp

Thoughts From the Middle of the Night
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32533.asp

People First Language Sensitivity
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art14410.asp

People First Language Awareness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art33981.asp

Is Diversity Like A New Box of Crayons?
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art5144.asp

Friendship and Inclusion for Children with Special Needs
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art48700.asp

Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Benefits Classmates
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6157.asp

Disability Advocacy and Awareness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art35878.asp

Inclusive Education and the Culture of Down Syndrome
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art44827.asp

Advocating in Multicultural Communities
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11304.asp

Miss Conduct, Robin Abrahams
When Words Hurt
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2007/03/18/miss_conduct

Dear Abby on using the "R" word

Irritated in Missouri

Twice a Mother in South Daytona Beach

Dear Abby Search

Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Benefits Classmates