Personally, I'm not offended. GUEST's comments are unfortunate, but why should poor word choice and un-enlightened attitudes be offensive? That would be giving them power that I do not wish to give them. I'm not offended if a dog shits in the middle of the street. I just assume it doesn't know any better.      

Here are some things that I do find offensive: I am offended by a national media that makes cultural heroes out of pimps, drug dealers and violent angry rappers. (I am also offended by the way in which that same media has kow-towed to the current administration, but that's not really germane to this discussion.) I am offended by apparel manufacturers who market grossly overpriced products to those who can least afford them. I am offended by state governments that have legalized and institutionalized gambling, particularly state-run lotteries, knowing full well that those who will gamble the most are those who can afford it the least. I am offended by the cult of rampant consumerism and the desire for instant gratification that have made it look more important for young people to start accumulating new cars and wide-screen TV's now than to get an education.

I am offended by these things because they are, at least in part, reasons for the perceived phenomenon that GUEST describes.

Bruce