I stand corrected (slightly)

Jason Linkins

'Family Guy' Actress Responds To Sarah Palin's Criticism

Andrea Fay Friedman, the voice actress who played the role of "Ellen" --the character depicted as having Down syndrome on the Valentine's Day episode of Family Guy, has responded to the criticism of sometime-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Of special significance, Friedman herself has Down syndrome. Palingates has Friedman's complete response:

My name is Andrea Fay Friedman. I was born with Down syndrome. I played the role of Ellen on the "Extra Large Medium" episode of Family Guy that was broadcast on Valentine's day. Although they gave me red hair on the show, I am really a blonde. I also wore a red wig for my role in " Smudge" but I was a blonde in "Life Goes On". 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".
In my family we think laughing is good. My parents raised me to have a sense of humor and to live a normal life. 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.

I have to say, that's a pretty good burn.

I have to agree with Jason.. BURRRRRRN! I have seen many different kinds and levels of disability among family and friends. Everyone handles these things in their own way. I love what Andrea said about the way her parents raised her. She's obviously talented, bright, and a mind of her own. I have a niece with a boy with Downs. She's a great mom and he plays with the rest of the kids with no special treatment. When I discovered the degree of OCD my children suffered from I wanted each of their teachers to understand exactly what was the triggers and what to expect. I even asked permissions for my youngest to leave the classroom without notice if her obsessive behavior took over. We've been open and we've taught them that we aren't crazy. Kids don't need more reasons NOT to fit in!

BRAVO Andrea!! You are great.

I need a break.. I'm going crazy.

I guess that isn't a stretch since it's the OCD blog that is MAKING me crazy.
I need a topic to vent on... Hmm, lemme check out HuffPo. I'll be back with something.

Ohhh I just remembered I have a few controversial opinions on matters I've seen in the news lately.
1. Yes. Obese people should be charged for 2 seats. I can take a child that weighs half as much as an adult and the weight and size of carry-on is an issue too. So unless my child pays for half of a seat but the fat dude next to me invades my personal and very small allotted space on an airplane it's not discrimination, it's a wake up call. We are a fat and unhealthy people. I know this because I am fatter and unhealthier lately.

 See? No brainer. Besides there's a weight limit that an airplane has to abide by. I do not want to become to become an episode of Lost because of some lunacy over discrimination.

2. Mitt Romney politely asked a passenger to move his airplane seat forward during take off (that's the rule, last time I flew). The stupid guy turned around and decked Romney. Our man Mitt (who is NOT my favorite politician on the planet and frankly I think this is out of character for him and yes I can site examples) did NOT physically retaliate. My favorite part? The Mittster was flying economy, not first class. Also a bit of character switcheroo, a politician that practices what he preaches. Classy, Mitt! Keep up the good work.

3. Sarah Palin's hissy over the barely veiled joke (and that is an understatement) on The Family Guy. I've never watched The Family Guy, but it sounds similar to my guilty pleasure Southpark which is equal opportunity in it's spoofing of things and the ones I'VE seen have usually had a weirdly touching moral. I think in this case Family Guy went too far. Sarah Palin has been on each side of the spectrum of what is tasteless. Her actions since her nomination for VP hopeful has been fraught with things that have been wrong and off base. She seems able to dish it, even trot the kids out to help her chances (I won't say she's pimped them but... Okay she's totally pimped them). I believe her stand against the Fox network was appropriate and an apology is in order. I would understand a complete boycott. Call them on the carpet for being a stupid, nasty, evil network. Have an anti-Fox tea party. I've always maintained that Fox is out of control! Go Sarah GO!!! What? You work for them? Spewing your brand of lies and fear mongering in hopes of drawing in the more paranoid, gullible, uneducated people in America? Ooooo! Can I just say AWKWARD! Yeah, Sarah, I agree that Family Guy crossed a line. Does it violate a personal conviction that you will stand by to show the world that you won't take this insensitivity? I'm guessing the paycheck will outweigh your feigned outrage.