IMO the point is that the word retard was used as a noun as an insult for a general public audience. There may be some situations where you could use the word innocuously, but this clearly wasn't one of them. Stupid, idiot, and crazy have all evolved to be found less insulting in general. Some words lose their offensive connotations over time, and some gain them. Since the meanings of all words are contextual and exist in degrees, the onus is on both the speaker and the listener to consider the context and intent. IMHO Jon is being somewhat disingenuous, as are some of those responding regarding the degree to which they are offended.There isn't an aspect of our language out there that isn't going to be found insulting to someone. So long as those words are not being used to cause actual damage, who gives a fuck about the language you use?