PC Gone Overboard Again - "Crazy" bear pulled from shelves.

[UdoKier]

This is a view of the Vermont Teddy Bear's Website showing the Valentine's day bear called 'Crazy for You Bear'. The bear is in a strait jacket with commitment papers and is meant to convey out-of-control love. The executive director of the Vermont chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill says the bear is 'a tasteless use of marketing that stigmatizes persons with mental illness.' (AP Photo)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=8&u=/ap/20050203/ap_on_fe_st/teddy_bear


This is a cute, innocuous product, nothing more, nothing less. This is like banning posters who use the word "freeptard" because it may be injurious to the mentally retarded.

Of all the problems in the world and in this country, why do people focus their precious, limited energies and resources on stuff like this?

Are these people republicans masquerading as liberals to make us look silly? I don't get it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. What concerns me more are people complaining that the bear was pulled

as though THAT is any more an issue than people complaining that the bear was offensive.

I know ... i know...first they came for Crazy Bear and I said nothing because I wasn't a bear in a straightjacket.

[Maddy McCall]

9. LMFAO!!!

What a wonderful distortion on that old poem. :-)

[Misunderestimator]

15. OMG

Honey... you are on a ROLL today!! :D

[Pithlet]

35. The outrage over the outrage is just outragious.

:silly:

[Susang]

36. I, for one, am outraged at your outrage

Over the outrage at the outrage. :spank:

Untangle that sentence, I dare you! :P

[Pithlet]

39. How dare you

Be outraged at my outrage over the outrage of the outrage. I'm outraged!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

46. I'm offended by both of you crazy retards

[DulceDecorum]

60. Crazy retards?

Are you making fun of those who have
both a developmental disability as well as mental health issues?

nothingshocksmeanymore, you are the kind of person who was biologically conceived by two, opposite-sexed parents and don't bother denying it.

I notice that they used a BROWN bear and not a white one?
What's up with that?
What message were they trying to convey?
And why do they put Braille on the keypad on drive-up ATMs?

[tavalon]

68. About them thar ATMs

I've been asking people that same question for years!

[Not_Giving_Up]

2. They changed their minds?

The last I heard, they were leaving it on the market, despite the controversy.

Good grief, if you don't like it, don't buy it!!!!!!!

[Arkana]

3. Ok, after I wiped the Pepsi off my computer screen

I decided that you might be right--wingnuts masquerading as overly PC liberals to make us look stupid.

[Rockholm]

4. This "Teddy Bear" is HIGHLY offensive.

As a person who has a sister-in-law with a bipolar disorder, I find this toy and its accompanying paperwork highly offensive.
Target a few years ago had a costume during Halloween of a "crazy person." They thought is was funny and harmless. It wasn't.
Please educate yourself on the challenges that those with mental illness have in acceptance. Please check out the www.nami.org
Thanks for my 2 cents.

[UdoKier]

6. I expected comments like this.

But I respectfully disagree. Most of us have a person in our family with an emotional problem or mental disorder. We're well aware that the real thing is not funny.

We're able to separate the teddy bear from real, suffering people.

If you're going to get outraged, why not aim for "South Park" or "Drawn Together" - animated series that openly ridicule mentally handicapped people.

This bear isn't the least bit mean-spirited.

Again, I respectfully disagree.

[ThorsHammer]

29. Same here, doesn't bother me either (nt)

[Zuni]

43. Well said

people have to lighten up. A freakin bear in a straight jacket is not insulting to people with mental or emotional disorders
Anyone who is offended is simply too thin skinned

[tavalon]

70. Yeah, you said that better than I did n/t

[China_cat]

80. The nuts in my family tree

think this bear is a hoot. Even the institutionalized member.

[Rockholm]

84. Yeah, right.

[China_cat]

85. Just because you're crazy

it doesn't mean you necessarily lose your sense of humor.

[sendero]

25. I have bipolar disorder..

... a mild case to be sure, but I'm sorry this bear is NOT offensive.

There is a difference - maybe a subtle one but a difference nonetheless, between material that "stigmatizes" the mentally ill and material that does not.

How in the world anyone could take offense at this bear is beyond me - and it does nothing but give talk radio endless (and somewhat justified) fodder for ridiculing "liberals".

PC has got to end, it just has to it is killing us.

[Orsino]

40. Simply denying that the possibility of offense exists...

...will not help resolve matters.

As with various state flags and with euphemisms for melanin, I believe we should simply ask how many people *are* offended, and not try to tell them whether or not they should be.

We're undoubtedly more comfortable when we feel able to dismiss the inconvenient concerns of others as meaningless, but really--isn't it just a popularity contest? Is the n-word offensive merely because of the number of people who take umbrage at it?

Anyone wanting to analyze the issue--before judging it--ought to ask about the feelings the symbol generates in those who object to it.

[sendero]

50. We cannot prohibit...

... the words, phrases and ideas that offend somebody into infinity. There becomes a point to where it just becomes ridiculous.

This is such a point. The question is not, "is somebody offended?" The question is: "is there a remedy that is not a greater harm?".

The right of people to say what they want to say has some value also. Please try not to forget that. There are many many people who would be offended by the image in my signature. Do you suggest that I remove it?

[Orsino]

51. Nope.

* deserves a lot more than that rather cliched insult, because of his own actions.

It's true that any given idea will offend somebody. Here's an acid test: whom do you want to offend, and why? Do the makers of the stuffed bear really want to offend the mentally ill, or their loved ones, or are they beginning to acknowledge, unlike the original poster, that this toy is not completely innocuous?

[sendero]

54. They clearly never set out..

.. to offend anyone. But some people are just bound and determined to be offended, and they have the problem, not me and not "vermont teddy bear" incorporated. Do these folks really think that this teddy bear is going to effect a societal attitude change? Laughable is to kind a description of that idea.

I don't mind when a company has a policy that prohibits certain speech in the workplace, such as racist, sexist or sexual speech. This is necessary to have a work environment where everyone can perform without undue hostility.

But it is simply impossible to have a world where someone isn't indignantly certain that they are suffering at the words of others. It's really too bad, there are a lot more important places to expend one's time, energy and life force.

[Orsino]

55. I'd commend Vermont Teddy...

...for showing sensitivity (if a bit grudgingly or late), rather than decry these nameless people you are so certain only think they're offended.

[sendero]

56. I didn't say they..

.. think they are offended, I said they are too fucking sensitive. The world should not have to adapt to fucking cry babies, and the whole PC idea has been effectively used by the right to paint liberals as a bunch of nutcakes. In this one case, I agree with them.

Anyone who could be offended by that bear is LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO BE OFFENDED. Fuck that shit, twice.

[Orsino]

57. Too sensitive for whom?

And how would you suggest the solve the problem you say they have?

[sendero]

58. It is THEIR problem..

.... and I don't believe in a "societal" solution for every problem every person has.

This, to me, is a freedom issue. Forget the Bush** version of freedom. In my version, and in my opinion the founding fathers' version, people should be free to do or say whatever they want, so long as that action or speech does not infringe on the rights of others.

What right does anyone have to not be offended. A person cannot make a single opinionated point that does not offend someone. A company making teddy bears almost certainly meant no offense to anyone, but that doesn't stop the whiny segment of our society from complaining.

Once again, I ask you - do you think that the existence of this bear is going to have any meaningful effect on how persons with mental illness are treated? Really? Because I say "no freaking way". Let them have their bear, and let the offended learn to apply their energies toward something that might actually help somebody.

I'll let you have the last word if you wish, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels :)

[Orsino]

59. I'm still unclear as to what you believe the problem is.

You seem to be offended by the offense taken by people you've never met.

I won't say you're wrong to feel this way, as I'm unsure as to where you're getting your information.

[tavalon]

72. Except I've already been exposed to this bear

and I want one. Will Vermont Teddy sell me one or offend me with their PC run amok? Just wondering?

[tavalon]

71. In this specific case, there is

If the bear offends you, don't buy it.

[Melynn]

34. Thank you

Someone needed to say that.

What if someone sold a middle eastern teddy bear and called it "Rag head bear" or a female teddy bear and called it "Bitch bear"? I bet you would be offended, no? I can't see any difference.

[lazarus]

52. I'm a person with bipolar disorder

and I don't find it offensive at all.

Should we ban songs like "Crazy For You"? The group Madness? How far does this PC stuff go?

[tavalon]

69. Sorry, I don't agree

I have unipolar, my partner is bipolar and we just can't get our panties in a bunch over this. Straightjackets are in existence and are associated with "crazy" which BTW, has nothing to do with mental illness.

[Skittles]

79. I think it is highly offensive too

whether it should be pulled - I dunno. It does feed stereotypes but then so do many, many other things. It's too bad people have to think up stupid shit, insensitive shit like this but a good deal of America IS stupid and insensitive.

[ProfessorGAC]

86. As One Who. . .

. . .LIVED with someone with bipolar disorder, i can tell you that you are taking this FAR too seriously.
The Professor

[southpaw]

5. Don't know for sure where I stand on this...

But I'm crazy like that

[Beware the Beast Man]

7. I'm far from sensitive, and I'm far from "PC,"

but I can see why somebody would be offended by such a thing.

[ComerPerro]

8. Oh my God that is twisted

and, at the same time, hilarious.

[LoZoccolo]

10. Welcome to /Make Joan Baez Laugh/.

Gen-X points go to whoever can name the comedian who could finally do it.

[Susang]

23. Howie Mandel

Duh! :eyes:

Still don't think the psychotic teddy bear is funny. Or Howie Mandel for that matter. ;-)

[LoZoccolo]

26. WINNER! n/t

[Susang]

27. I know

I know everything. :D

[Maddy McCall]

11. I think the most disturbing thing about this thread is that DUers have...

bought into and are now using conservative lingo. "PC" or "politically correct" is a term invented by republicans to ridicule progressives who advocate tolerance and diversity.

[LoZoccolo]

12. No it isn't.

It's at least from the late 1700's, when Republicans were not even invented yet.

[Bluebear]

37. I don't care how old the term is

It is now the code-word for anything that is being made inconvenient for the Republicans to ignore/make fun of. IMHO.

[LoZoccolo]

41. It's also the code word for "frantic exercise in overboard."

IMNSHO

[Zuni]

45. Good point

some people find virtually everything somehow offensive to some group of people

[Misunderestimator]

81. And... some people find virtually nothing offensive and don't give a shit

about other people...

[southpaw]

13. Yep...

[LoZoccolo]

14. Also, certain Maoists used it positively. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

16. You /are/ correct on one point though.

Whenever the Republicans come up with something, it becomes completely theirs and we are forced to disagree with them in all cases and applications of that something and never use it ourselves.

_{NOTE: This post is sarcastic.}

[UdoKier]

17. This is beyond advocating tolerance and diversity.

It's advocating rigidity, hypersensitivity, and distraction from REAL problems.

I appreciate the intent of many "PC" proponents, and in many cases agree with them.

But sometimes they just go overboard. Pick your battles, folks, please.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. Go work in a mental health center or homeless shelter

and see if you feel the same about a tacky fucking bear in a straightjacket.
When the fuck did lack of empathy become so fucking unfashionable?

[UdoKier]

19. I'm pretty sure nobody is giving out these bears in mental health clinics.

And when did profanity in posts become so fashionable?

Some people might be offended by that. It might remind a battered wife of her abusive husband. How insensitive of you.


Context matters.

[Susang]

21. Well, how "PC" of you to complain

Isn't it ironic, don't you think? ;-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

22. but THAT'S different don't ya know?

;-)

[Susang]

24. Oh, I see!

It's crystal clear to me now! :eyes:

[LoZoccolo]

20. I laugh about things that affect me all the time.

I know that you got a job Miss Cheney but your husband's heart problem's complicating!

Now I think the audacity of this Eminem line is funny despite the fact that I was a 27 year-old heart disease victim (and wondered if I'd live to be 30 like I am now). The sense of humor is much more complex than ridiculing and hurting people. To deny that is akin to saying that people who don't repress their sexual feelings are down the road to adultery and rape.

[Rockholm]

63. Thank you for your post.

Some one gets it.

[tavalon]

73. Um, the bear has nothing to do with either

Sorry, but this is confused logic.

[Zuni]

44. but you must admit that sometimes PC is applicable

some people find virtually everything insulting and offensive and now we have to constantly make an effort not to offend some protected minority
I'm sorry---anyone who finds a fucking teddy bear offensive is way too over concious about offending some minority

[Misunderestimator]

82. You have to worry about offending some "protected" minority?!?

OMG you poor, poor, thing that you have to worry your little head about someone else.

Protected?!? Too funny.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

28. I'm not personally offended by it, but it's pretty damn insensitive

No one would even consider a bear in a wheelchair that said "Crippled with love for you". Or how about a really skinny bear in a shirt that says "Anorexic for you"?

Not so funny, hmm?

[bobbobbins]

31. I dunno, if done right it could be fairly funny

maybe a bear with an ear missing...van gogh style

[Zuni]

47. I have a sick sense of humor

I actually find that kind of amusing. It is so tasteless...

Please do not hate me. I am not trying to flame you, I am just being honest... O8)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

49. I understand what you're saying...

but in mass production of things like this, nobody would consider the tasteless toys that I mentioned. Why do manufacturers think that mental illness is acceptable to poke fun at when paralysis, blindness, cancer, etc are verboten?

I'm not suggesting that this is one of the most important issues facing us today. I'm just saying it's insensitive...like racial jokes are insensitive.

[tavalon]

74. Yeah, I have that tasteless disease too

I had a fantastic idea for a screaming Jesus clock but got dissuaded from pursuing it by a Muslim friend of mine.

Personally, I think Jesus would have gotten the joke and been amused. After all, he was Jewish and they invented the self deprecation joke.

[lazarus]

53. The difference is

that the phrase "crazy for you" has been used for decades.

the other phrases you quote aren't used at all.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

64. Straightjackets haven't been put on toy bears for decades.

The phrases "I'd kill for you" and "I'd die for you" have been used for ages too; but you won't find toy bears dressed up as hatchet murderers or with little nooses around their necks.

[lazarus]

65. meh

You'd likely see that, except that death is a bit more of a downer when graphically displayed like that.

I'm bipolar. I've been in an institution, although never in a straightjacket.

And I think the bear is cute.

Too many people try to protect other people's feelings, IMO.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

87. Glad you aren't offended

But I still think it's insensitive marketing. :)

[tavalon]

75. Wow, have you considered consulting in this field?

These are great ideas!

[CBGLuthier]

30. As a bipolar myself

I have no problem with this.

I don't really have a problem with some making fun of mental illness in a general way.

But when it is specific and makes fun of a particular person, then I am offended.

As an example I hated the part of Family Guy where they made fun of Margot Kidder. She is a real person who has a real disease.

On the other hand, I hate the word retard and all derivitaves of it. Unless I am adjusting the timing on my car. :-)

[Bunny]

32. Yeah, I'm a republican masquerading as a liberal just to make

YOU look silly. Because it's all about YOU, isn't it? Why should YOU have to give up your god-given right to be ignorant and insensitive? It's your RIGHT, goddammit! :eyes:

And don't even get me started on the "retard" stuff :grr:

[UdoKier]

33. I won't get you started on the "retard" stuff.

I don't use the various "tard" expressions because I find them distasteful.


But I don't dump all over the folks who do use it.

Again, a sense of perspective is key.


And I didn't say it was about ME, it's about making ALL liberal-leaning folks look silly.

I'm sure there are many well-intentioned folks like yourself out there, but I gotta wonder about some of these things that people make a fuss about.

[Bunny]

38. Well, when you have a child with mental retardation, maybe you'll

get a better feel for the "fuss". In the meantime, do keep your precious perspective.

[tavalon]

76. I have one of those

and while I don't use the phrase myself, I'm not going to dump on someone using it because when they use it, they aren't talking about a real retarded person, they are talking about someone acting in a stupid way.

[Bunny]

77. Which just continues to stigmatize the community of people

with mental retardation. There are dozens of other words to refer to people who are acting in a stupid way.

But this is still America, and people are still entitled to be ignorant, obnoxious, and insensitive. Just as I am entitled to be offended by it, and to tell them that. NO ONE decides what I'm allowed to be offended by.

[SoCalDem]

42. Uh-oh.. I bought a "Hula Monkey" the other day..

[Zuni]

48. You are worse than Hitler

[SemiCharmedQuark]

61. Did you get that from PetSmart???

I saw them there! I was going to get one for my Mila, but it was almost as big as she is.

[SoCalDem]

62. Yes..but I bought it for a human

I have a friend who collects monkeys...and I thought she would like it :)

[RadicalMom]

78. Tee Hee! Nice Coconuts, too!

[SmileyBoy]

66. Pick your battles people, because battles are all around you.

I have clinical depression, and I have been institutionalized myself, and I do not find that toy offensive, not one iota.

Bush is ruining this country and trying to ruin the world, and all you PC'ers can cry about is if some teddy bear is offending mentally ill people???

Um... Priorities???

[Misunderestimator]

83. Using a phrase like "all you PC'ers can cry about... " blah blah blah

doesn't go a long way to reaching a middle ground.

Don't tell me which battles to pick... I pick my own.

[tavalon]

67. Damn, I wonder if I can still get one?

That's cool!