National Rifle Association board member Ted Nugent shared an open letter “to all the braindead hippie logic-challenged dipshits in the media” that mocked individuals with mental disabilities with the line, “Not every retard can read, but look at you go, little buddy.”

In two weeks, Nugent will appear on Sarah Palin's Sportsman Channel show. Palin, who has a child with Down syndrome, has compared the use of the word “retard” to using racial slurs.

The National Down Syndrome Society "strongly condemns the use of the word 'retarded' in any derogatory context" because the term “is hurtful and suggests that people with disabilities are not competent.”

An image posted to Facebook by Nugent on January 14 contained other offensive comments, including, “Look at you smiling at your phone, you crayon eating motherfucker,” and suggested that a “retard” “lick[ed] windows” or “screw[ed] farm animals”:

The image shared by Nugent is an Internet meme that has previously caused controversy.

In addition to his high profile work with the NRA and his role as a columnist for conspiracy website WND, Nugent serves as a spokesman for the Outdoor Channel and makes regular appearances in specials aired on Sportsman Channel.

Sportsman Channel, home of the NRA's news program Cam & Company, is currently hyping season two of Amazing America with Sarah Palin by touting Nugent's appearance in an “unforgettable episode” airing January 29.

Palin, a Fox News contributor, has harshly condemned individuals who have used language similar to Nugent's and has compared the use of the word “retard” to saying “the 'N-word'” (a word that Nugent has also used on more than on occasion). The former vice presidential nominee, however, has also faced charges of hypocrisy for defending Rush Limbaugh after the conservative radio host called liberals who complained about the health care reform process “retards.”