A Post Apology

I wrote a piece making fun of the fact that a Trig Palin joke was given as the reason that Sarah Palin left office. I wrote jokes that were offensive but my intent was for them to be ironic and therefore not offensive. I was wrong. Within ten minutes of my post I received some emails from the loved ones of the retarded and I saw that my piece was hurtful. Therefore, I removed the post right after receiving the first 2 emails.

I removed it immediately because I saw that it did not come across as I intended. I apologize to all of those who were offended.

Comments

[Aphrodottie]

I accept your apology! Thank You!

[republican112]

Erik,
what you said was very mean. your apology was mean too.

[Doveed1968]

I love how Liberals ALWAYS complain about some labeling others, when once again, We see a classic case of liberal hypocrites, doing the exact same thing about Sarah Palin, and her family.

It just sickens me, how such a beautiful, strong, smart, and independent thinking woman, Like Sarah, has become such a hated individual, by those on the left of all groups.

Come on now libs, do women have the right to make there own choices, or not. you have joyfully preached this to people for years, and I agree with it. You however, are now seeing the other side of the coin. When ever anyone disagrees with the state run media, or the ideas of the state run media, they are destroyed, smeared, and "left for dead!"

What's the matter, want to shut the mouths of the opposition before they prove you wrong?

Bye the way, how is that President of yours doing? Last I heard, His approval ratings were dropping so low, the fish in the sea are swimming out of the way, while they are falling.

Don't like it, Well guess what you did to Bush in his first month of office, and on through his entire presidency.

[rebopine]

Beautiful, Strong, Smart (debatable) and independant thinking woman.....who couldn't take the pressures of the job she campaigned for.

Beautiful, Strong, Smart and Independant thinking does not a great politian make.

[atlanta1962]

Beautiful, Strong, Smart and Independant thinking does not a great politian make.

You must be talking about 0bama

[boilinabag]

palin is the one who makes the issue of the downs baby.... she drags it out when it suits her political purposes... and anything that gets billo in a snit is ok with me too.....

everyone got something to hide except for me and my monkey.............

[Doveed1968]

Well, actually, she brings it out when people make distasteful comments. What, conservatives can't defend our honor, and our families now without offending touchy folks like you?

Remember, Clintons family issues were no ones business, but his. If you recall that.

Time for you to start cussing me out, and hating me now. like all liberals do when you argue with them.

[HannigansWay]

Mr. Nelson,

It took your family to bring to light the fact that what you posted was offensive and hurtful?

It inspires more cogent, insightful persons to wonder why your "family" immediately took note of the fact that your commentary was extremely offensive what you might have been up to when 'Your Family' was instilling these values in one another.

I don't believe your 'Family' had anything to do with your retraction. I believe in fact you had a moment of clarity perhaps. A brief moment when you saw your career dissipation light blinking in the corner of your eye?

Your untimely retraction and subsequent apologies are/were to little, to late, as it's all over the Net, which of course was your intent. Sadly, for you it didn't prove to inspire the response you intended. In fact it proved to cast you in an very unfavorable light, along with those who think as you do. Amazing what a little light shown in the right place can accomplish, isn't it?

A curious thing about you 'New Democrats' is that you're ignorant of the facts. Tho you have firm control over the reigns, you are a minority within your own party. Most democrats occupy a centrist position within the party. When this majority takes the time to examine what's under 'the light' exposing the agenda of the 'New Democrats', the party might return to its role of serving the people as opposed to their own selfish self serving interests.

[girlygrandmamom]

normally I do not write commets on anything, this time I am so outraged I am sick to my stomach'
This guy has committed a crime by writing this article, stop attacking children, this guy should be doing more than this lame apology, this is discrimination in the worst way, why does he get a pass on discrimination and no one else does, he needs to meet with some families who have a child with DS and appology on TV with them, I have a 12 year old with DS and I am sick of the discrimination from the media and comedy shows, all children are off limits, maybe it is time for one of us to file a law suit against this

[rebopine]

What crime exaclty are you refering too? Which law says jokes about childen (Tasteful or not) are criminal? Also, in your pending lawsuit (which would be civil not criminal), what exaclty would you charge the writer of this column with? Bad Taste, Rudeness, insensitivity?

Just because someone writes something that upset's or offends you that doesn't mean it's criminal or that you have a right to sue over your hurt feelings (could everyone just GET this already!). Nor, does this constitute discrimination in any way, shape or form.

Maybe you should stick with not posting comments as your ignorance is louder than words.

[ccahill]

What is your major malfunction? Making fun of those with mental disabilities is in no way, shape, or form funny or cute. It's just morbid and wrong! Don't even think this apology, if it can so be called, makes things better! You were not even sincere! Your line, "I wrote jokes that were offensive but my intent was for them to be ironic and therefore not offensive. I was wrong. Within ten minutes of my post I received some emails from the loved ones of the retarded and I saw that my piece was hurtful." just confirms that you don't a damn thing with this "apology". And the typical cop-out, "to those who found this offensive", just confirms that your honestly don't give a rat's behind about any of this! I know you have your 1st Amendment rights, but in a public forum like this, you just need to leave these "jokes", as YOU call them, out. I sincerely hope that you are fired.

[perizade]

Dude- you say it wasn't your intent to offend but......what were you expecting the outcome to be, exactly? What response were you anticipating? Were you expecting a bunch of LOLs and maybe a call from the Daily Show with an offer to write, or something? Were you just trying to shock to get in the cable news? Well, it worked. And "retarded" is not an acceptable term anymore. Hope that helps. Oh, and look up the "ironic." As a writer you need to understand basic vocabulary.

[rembrandt8]

Erick,

I am a parent of a child with Down Syndrome and the term "retarded" is still offensive even if you are apologizing for your negative comments. If you would like to be politically correct, the term is "mentally challenged" you idiot!!!!

How dare you say such things and then apologize for them. The only reason you apologized is because you received emails from people who were hurt and angry from your nasty comments. In other words you got caught and had to say you were sorry! You are not sincere and I cannot believe that people are thanking you for saying you are sorry!

I bet a lot of us would like to see you in person and have you tell the parents or other family members of beautiful people with disabilities that they are retarded. We would kick your ass back to the "red state" in the deep south and we would not apologize for doing it!

[AmericanFirst1776]

I am amazed at the apology. I am even more amazed at some of the responses. I thought we had progressed to the point where we did not call people that have downs syndrome - retarded. The apoloy stated, "Within ten minutes of my post I received some emails from the loved ones of the retarded and I saw that my piece was hurtful." That is not really sincere. Let me help you. The term is people with Down’s Syndrome.

I also find it amazing that progressives, liberals, etc. who want to talk about Rep. King as being a racist can stoop so low as to attack a person with a disability. You probably got a kick out of tripping blind people also.

Just remember discrimination begins with just jokes!

He also stated, "I wrote jokes that were offensive but my intent was for them to be ironic and therefore not offensive." How many Klansmen have said, "My intent was for humor not to be offensive." It does not matter how you intended it. It only matters that it is offensive. Just check with any Equal Opportunity Representative. They will confirm this.

[Sue Osborn]

actually, mental retardation is the medical diagnosis given to anyone, under the age of 18, with an I.Q. under 70 deficits in two or more areas of adaptive behavior. it is not the accepted vernacular of those within the community, and is often replaced with other language medically. but, it is, technically, the correct term.

either way, developmental disabilities are no joking matter.

[KimMerriman]

By the looks of your picture you appear to be a spineless blob. I am the sibling of an adult with Down Syndrome. I can guarantee you one thing, you and the sick bastards on this blog would not be able to type or talk for quite sometime if you made that comment to me. If you ever get to Texas look me up I would love to be the one that makes you a "disabled American".

[jimmyjames1373]

Your comments are what give liberals a bad name buddy. From your head shot I can see you as a snide little creature whose only joy in life comes from tapping on a keyboard at his computer desk. I read your comments and to use the word ironic to describe them is an insult to the english language.
Irony: The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.
Your jokes were direct hits with no little twists. Come on guy. At least back away from your keyboard long enough to man up to your true intent.

[joeybb]

Guess you were just taking your cue from Obama and his "funny" special olympics joke

[KenFM]

Erik:
As a sibling of a down syndrome adult, I am incredubly insulted by your insensitivity. Apologizing is one thing, but shame is another emotion you should feel. I hope,by the way, that you shared your blog with your parents-I am sure they are quite proud of you for your original attempt at humor!

It might also help you to spend an afternoon or an evening in a group home sometime and find out that the people you make fun of are human beings too.

As one commentator noted, it is too bad that it takes someone on the outside to point out the errors of your ways and thoughts. Maybe you should employ an editor for your future communications.

I also encourage you to think before 'firing off' any cute remarks again.

[PhilipB]

I think your apology was the right thing to do.

[Ronald Smith]

Was using the word "retarded" in the apology the right thing to do?

[ToTheMax]

I'm yet another parent of a kid with special needs who was annoyed by your thoughtless post. And I'm not here to tell you just how much joy my little boy (who has cerebal palsy) brings to the world (although, yeah, he does). I'm glad you got some attention because every time another person makes blockheaded remarks like this, it makes people stand to attention and realize just what kind of crap people with special needs deal with.