Clinton!
Everyone! Calm down a moment, and take a good deep breath... OK?
Now. Everytime someone gets called out on something these days they talk about running off. Clinton, you will be missed, but, what should be missed are terms of racial and or gender bias, other than, as GeorgeH so aptly puts it, in the context of journalism.
Peg begins to give a good guage for the, should I say this? test, however, Peg, as we do not know where Clinton lives, forget going out on the street in your own neighborhood, try this...
I went to high school on 135th Street and Amsterdam Avenune in good old Harlem, New York City. There were many times I stood out for my Irish complexion, and yet, I can say, I was more than welcome in the neighborhood. However, I know that that welcome would have worn more than thin, if I called ANYONE, even my closest Black friend N____. True, some Black friends did call each other that, however, when I was in school, that was thought to be less than progressive among the Black community of my friends. Now, if you think that it is OK, to use such terms, I invite you to stand around some day, on the street in Harlem, or Bed Sty, or Oceanhill Brownsville, (all places I have worked and found great welcome)and greet folks with - Hey N___ Whatssup?! I predict that most people will just look at you with a sort of pittying stare, however, there are a few who might be a little less gentle. Now, I may point out, there are some militant Gay friends of mine, who might also be less kind if you used the F word as a pajoritive discription in their presence. The court generally allows for a modicom of violent responce to fighting words, like the N or F word. So maybe Lenny is right, but, I hope you are ready to live by the consiqences of your free speach, I think, it is easier for us all to just show a little respect.
Stick around, I enjoy much of what you have to say. But mind Peg and a few of us who may be lurking about with the big green bar of bad tasting soap.
I hope no bad feelings all round.
All the best
Lorcan (and dont call me Paddy) Otway