There actually is an issue with the way the handicapped in the country feel about the "R" word. Of course, the crass Limbaugh was never called on it.

Take the pledge:

I pledge and support the elimination of the derogatory use of the r-word from everyday speech and promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities.

If one takes a look at the pledge, it states DEROGATORY use of the R-word. It is still used in some circles, no different than the word Negro on the 2010 census.

It is a generational word. While some might actually consider it a value word to use, others do not. Any generation thought does not find the derogatory use appropriate.