Talk about teachable moments. No matter what our political persuasion, to think of a grown-up White House staffer referring to his fellow travelers as "F***ing retarded" should hit a nerve.

And if it doesn't, or if it's only the F-word and not the R-word that gives you the heebie-jeebies, we need to have a serious talk.

If you haven't realized that the R-word ranks right up there with the N-word in the no-no-not-evers for your children, then let me bring you up-to-speed.