monkey tailed skink

[Leigh]

I reckon they look more prehistoric than bts, like they're way behind on the evolutionary chain,almost puppet like.

[BlueyBoy]

PTS are some of the coolest animals ever!!!

[suez]

they do look very special to think that lovely animal is spending its life in the conditions i saw it in brings tears to my eyes however it also brought me the strength to report to authoroty and follow the progress and i will let you know how it goes
Suez

[Dragontears]

Such neat lizards; they're one of the only other reptiles I've ever had an interest in. I hope Renee' gets one sometime...

knowing my luck, I'd just be allergic to it.

You should get one.

[Zach]

[NomadOfTheHills]

Blotch - I have to say that I'm finding your non-PC language a bit offensive.

We get it - you think that they're ugly.

But using words like 'retarded' and comparing them to people with Down's Syndrome is very insensitive.

I can see how that is offensive, but come on. The disease has a certain look to it. He made a visual comparison.

I have a relative with down syndrome, and this doesn't offend me at all.

[mouseinamilkbottle]

Yes, people with Down's have a certain facial configuration. I wasn't denying that. But I didn't think the way he said it was appropriate. It was gratuitous and insensitive.

I think that once you're over the age of nine, most people realise that using words like 'retard' as an insult or derogatory slur isn't something you do in polite society.

I let the 'retarded' comment slide, it wasn't until he compounded it with the 'Down's Syndrome' comment that I voiced my opinion.

I think there are certain kinds of language that are as inappropriate as swearing. There are children that view these pages, and I would have had the same reaction if the comment had been a slur against some other minority group. If the comment had been something like "ugly like a [insert racist term here]" I think more people would have reacted, and possibly moderators would have gotten involved if it continued.

But people don't tend to think it's as bad somehow to use intellectual disability as a casual insult. I think that's wrong, and that's why I said what I did. My brother has Asperger's Syndrome. Is it right to refer to him as a retard? I have a friend whose younger brother has Down's Syndrome. She will and has physically and verbally attacked those who've thought it was okay to make fun of him just because of who and how he is.

I think the correct response to prejudice in any form, however subtle, is an objection. I tried to make my objection polite, and explain why I had a problem with what he said.

[NomadOfTheHills]

Good response, I stand corrected.

[Zach]

I agree 100% with Ruth (and to throw in my 2 cents just for you because you said something.....) Holly just graduated with a specialty in special education, just completed a program devoted entirely to Autism, and is in a research group studying Asperger's Syndrome. So many people throw that word around today (it seems to have resurged; I remember that term being used in grade school), and in schools here, it lands you detention immediately. It hurts the kids who actually have these disabilities. Kids don't know that when they throw the word around. You should talk to some of the parents of these children. It's completely changed my view and I do my best to explain it to every person who says it.

I'm the most carefree guy in the world and could care less about what people say (aside from this forum), cuss all you want, and be yourself. But man, I've sat and listened to the parents and children who have dealt with bullies and just hearing your average playground kid loosly smirk: "that's retarded". Again, my mind is changed. To sum up, I've learned a disability should not be used as a negative insult. When someone says: "That's retarded" they are saying something is stupid or ridiculous, which is, more or less, saying that a kid with mental retardation is stupid or ridiculous. When I saw a child's eyes swell up at a meeting talking about overhearing kids say retarded every day...I told myself I would never say it.

People just need to be educated on the topic. If people learned, like I did, we'd probably hear the term used a lot less.

Thanks for writing, Ruth! Sometimes people come back with so many arguments I don't even try.

[Blotch]

Fair call on the retard call - however, I stand by my down syndrome statement. I never said it WAS retarded - i said it looked retarded then clarified with the down syndrome statement.

I'd just like to state that as nomad stated - Down syndrome people do have a specific look to them. I was merely clarifying what i meant due to the use of the word "retard" being very generalised. My cousin has CP and refers to himself as a "retard". So I apologise for you being offended at the term.

I'd also like to share the dictionary definition of Retard:

Adjective: retarded ri'taa(r)did
***Relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development***
"providing a secure and sometimes happy life for the retarded"

Seeing as I clarified my statement with "Look at the head on the big one - looks like it has down syndrome or something." I figured it would have been obvious that I meant it in a purely visible aspect. Obviously not.

I am by no way Arguing that I am right or wrong - I'm clarifying my position. I don't wish to continue with this, I am just answering your remark about my "Politically Correct" terms. This is something I don't really wanna get started about as it will open a can of worms.

I see your point - I've apologized for you taking offence - let it be.

PS - my edits were spelling, phrasing and this last little bit here.

[Zach]

Fair enough.

[mouseinamilkbottle]

My cousin has CP and refers to himself as a "retard".

A lot of people from different ethnic groups and minorities have learnt the value of getting to the joke first. Also, what may be okay for someone to say about themselves or a group of friends to say to each other may not be okay to hear shouted at you in the street, or sniggered behind your back. For example, some African Americans say the "N" word to each other all the time. But if a white fella they'd never seen called it to them in their face, I'd imagine the reaction would be different.

I see your point - I've apologized for you taking offence - let it be.

Fair enough.

[Blotch]

*Rolls Eyes* Blah - time to get over it.

[Lucifer_Spades]

Oi let it go all-o-ya Blotch apologized mouse maade her point zach rallied for the game it's done I'm semi drunk and getting bored. (yes i see the points on all sides.)

[Blotch]

Oi let it go all-o-ya Blotch apologized mouse maade her point zach rallied for the game it's done I'm semi drunk and getting bored. (yes i see the points on all sides.)

Hahah you said "oi"!

Thanks.

[russman]

My brother has Asperger's Syndrome. Is it right to refer to him as a retard?

No, because Asperger's is a form of Autism, not mental retardation. Sorry, gettin technical.. i have no wish to be in on this.

[Leigh]

OI, was my old cats name coz we couldn't decide on another name, funny at night though, head out of door and shout OI, get in!!!, I reckon the next doors thought we were shouting at my daughter, hee hee

[mouseinamilkbottle]

My brother has Asperger's Syndrome. Is it right to refer to him as a retard?

No, because Asperger's is a form of Autism, not mental retardation. Sorry, gettin technical.. i have no wish to be in on this.

I know. But that doesn't mean someone wouldn't *call* him one because he can't read social cueing.

[russman]

Gotcha.. I'm about to be a first year elementary school teacher, so I'm sure I will be encountering all sorts of this kind of technicality.

[Leigh]

Gotcha.. I'm about to be a first year elementary school teacher, so I'm sure I will be encountering all sorts of this kind of technicality.

TOUCHE