I guess any issue that has vocal opponents and/or proponents can't help but get ugly. Those of us who are against the "Pennhust Asylum" have been called "morons," "PC assholes," "idiots," etc., and have been accused of "stupidity," "just trying to get some attention for [ourselves]" or our "name in the papers;" we are "pushing [our] guilt onto the new owners," "just trying to make [ourselves] feel better about the horrible things that happened at Pennhurst" and, oh, by the way, our "whole thought process is inconsistent." The illustration to the right shows the mindset of the "friends" on the Pennhurst Haunt Facebook page in response to an article in Metro International. The article quotes Jean Searle, co-president of the PM&PA and an outspoken self-advocate for those with disabilities. Searle spent many years in institutions and she is a member of the Pennhurst Plaintiff Class. In case you can't read it, the last response by Anna Parisi reads: "i don't think that mr searle should consider himself "disabled." last time i checked, stupidity wasn't a disability..." [sic] Paris incorrectly assumes Jean is a man. (Click on the Pennhurst Haunt link above for a larger version).This is what we are dealing with, folks.

On Sunday, an opinion piece by Gil Spencer in the Delaware County Times misquoted something from my web site and attributed it to me in an attempt to ridicule me for my closed mind and intolerant attitude towards horror films featuring mentally ill characters like Shutter Island (didn't see it—it got lousy reviews), Silence of the Lambs (loved it—a great thriller) and Psycho (classic Hitchcock horror). Emails to the writer and top editors at the paper to correct the mistake went unanswered. For the record, yet again, Pennhurst was not an "insane asylum," "mental institution" or "psychiatric hospital," all of which generally house the mentally ill. Pennhurst was a facility for the education and rehabililitation of those deemed at the time as "mentally retarded" and those with physical handicaps. There is a huge difference between those with mental illnesses and those with developmental and physical disabilities, although neither group should be singled out for ridicule.

Take a minute and read this thoughtful letter to the editor of the Daily Local News. Ms. Fabiani is right on the money.

Tomorrow there will be a rally and press conference in Philadelphia to protest the Pennhurst Asylum event. From the release: "Former residents of Pennhurst and activists from Liberty Resources, Philadelphia’s Center for Independent Living, Vision for Equality, an advocacy organization which empowers people with disabilities, and Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania will hold a press conference Friday, September 10th at 10AM in the Sovereign Building atrium at 714 Market Street in Philadelphia."

And don't forget to sign the petition.