Don:

Respectfully, I don't think anyone is trying to remove existance of a word -- I think they are simply asking that the term not be used in a deragatory way against people (or about people) who cannot help the way they are.  Its a question of usage.

"Retard" or "retarded" depending on how its used can be a very hurtful word to special needs people and the for the people that love them.  When it is used to imply stupidity or used in a derogatory way I have problems with it. I will admit I am guilty of using the term, its one of my many flaws I am trying to correct.  

But the issue you raise is fair -- after all, as George Carlin pointed out, the word itself is a word.  It is neither good not evil.  It is how we use words that matter.  If the word "retard" is used as in "the legislation proposed by congress will retard the work of researchers throughout the nation" -- then its a different matter entirely -- I don't think you'd hear an outcry.  But in most cases when people object to the usage its because its being used to imply someone is stupid, or lesser than another. And knowing special needs people nothing could be further form the truth.  What I think makes it especially hurtful is that a great many special needs people cannot defend themselves.  I don't think they are overly sensitive. 

I must also confess that I have some very personal reasons (which I prefer not to divulge) for my view and which may make me "overly sensitive."  But I feel the use of the word "retard" can be as hurtful as using the term "nigger" or "fag."  So you could count me in as one of the overly sensitive.  Its not the word that hurts -- its the way its used.