The title of the thread was confusing to me... "Dad loses job defending the use of the 'r word'" when in reality he lost his job defending his SON and saying he would not tolerate anyone using the word retarded.
I would guess that the girls (women?) who used the words, did so in such a way that it was demeaning. I'm so tired of some words getting a bad rap when retarded does have a legitimate meaning. It was also used quite often (as in mentally retarded) when I used to work in the social service field. Somehow somewhere it became 'negative' in a blanket way.
Doesn't excuse the Chili's franchise's workers behaviors though. Interesting way of 'firing' him too- "well leave then" then not putting him on the schedule dang that's cold. I hope that Chili's HQ makes it right.