Rahm Emanuel has now apologized about 40 times for saying, in a private meeting with Democrats over the summer, than an idea was "fucking retarded." After the quote was reported in the press recently, Sarah Palin, the mother of a child with Down syndrome, lashed out at Emanuel for his insensitivity and heartlessness. But then Rush Limbaugh, of all people, seemed to take Emanuel's side — or actually, since Emanuel has admitted he was wrong, the side of ... calling people retards. "Our politically correct society is acting like some giant insult has taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards," he said, adding, "There's going to be a retard summit at the White House." It's pretty clear to us, at least, that Limbaugh has committed the greater offense: Not only did he make his "retard" remark on his hugely popular radio show, but he did it as part of a spirited, almost gloating defense of using the word. In a world where justice was doled out in direct proportion to the crime committed, one would expect Palin to respond to Limbaugh even more harshly than she had to Emanuel. That world, clearly, does not exist. Let's break it down!

Did Palin Deliver a Personal Rebuke?:
Rahm: Yes. Palin devoted over 300 words to the task on her Facebook page. At a minimum, it's supposed to be her, though we do suspect from the syntax ("Rahm is known for his caustic, crude references about those with whom he disagrees") that the author was indeed Palin herself.
Rush: No. The only response to Rush's comments to date from Palin were provided via a spokeswoman to the Plum Line's Greg Sargent.

Did Palin Call Out the Offender by Name?:
Rahm: Yes. The title of her Facebook note was "Are You Capable of Decency, Rahm Emanuel?" She then referred to him by name seven times.
Rush: No. Though Sargent asked Palin's spokeswoman specifically about Limbaugh's comments, the response contained no mention of the talk-radio host, and seemed intentionally generic. It merely reads, in its entirety, "Governor Palin believes crude and demeaning name calling at the expense of others is disrespectful."

Did Palin Call for the Offender to Be Fired?
Rahm: Yes. "I would ask the president to show decency in this process by eliminating one member of that inner circle, Mr. Rahm Emanuel, and not allow Rahm’s continued indecent tactics to cloud efforts."
Rush: No.

This morning, the Palin camp tried to tone down their response to Rush even further, as relatively unscathing as it already was. According to Fox News, Team Palin claims they merely provided the Plum Line with "the same comment they have given reporters for a host of other instances where someone had used the 'r' word and they are not singling out Limbaugh." Got that, Rush? Go ahead and "slur on all God’s children" as much as you want to your millions of loyal listeners. The country's No. 1 "R"-word watchdog won't single you out.

Palin lacks a sense of humor, actress Andrea Fay Friedman who played 'Family Guy' character with Down syndrome says

The ex-governor of Alaska needs to chill out, says the actress whose character on "Family Guy" drew the wrath of Sarah Palin.

"I guess former Governor Palin does not have a sense of humor. I thought the line “I am the daughter of the former governor of Alaska” was very funny. I think the word is 'sarcasm,' Andrea Fay Friedman, who has Down syndrome, said in an email to the New York Times.

Gawker, a Web site covering the media industry, claims the report posted by the Times ommitted a line from Friedman's letter.

"My mother did not carry me around under her arm like a loaf of French bread the way former Governor Palin carries her son Trig around looking for sympathy and votes," the letter allegedly adds.

In an episode of Family Guy that aired last Sunday, Friedman provided the voice for a character with Down syndrome with whom another character becomes enamored.

"My mom's the former governor of Alaska," the character says when asked about her parents.