BS: Plastic Paddy slur

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 11:29 AM

And then there are those who delight in being offended by those who delight in being offended by those who feel offended ...

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 11:20 AM

And also those who have nothing worthwhile to say, so they just poke sharp sticks in the eyes of those who have, eh, meself?

Nicely put, Rifleman.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: meself
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 11:16 AM

And then there are those who delight in being offended by those who delight in being offended ...

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 11:12 AM

"For God's sake people, Bogle is lampooning pretension, presumption and smarmy artificiality- not Irish 'Heritage'"

EXACTLY Greg,
I do wonder, sometimes, as to where some people were hiding when the senses of humour (that's humor to our American friends, the ridiculous and irony were handed out.

I've always felt that one should learn from the past, but don't dwell there, that way only leads to madness.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 11:11 AM

Correct Greg. I said as much, way back in the thread, at least twice. But those who delight in being 'offended' seem determined to squeeze the last drop of 'offence' out of this (which is why I lost it a few posts ago!).

Kendall's quite right, this is indeed a place for free and open exchange of opinions. Mine is that it's an absolute, 110%, solid titanium, diamond-encrusted Non-Issue. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 10:10 AM

For God's sake people, Bogle is lampooning pretension, presumption and smarmy artificiality- not Irish 'Heritage'- as my grandparents and great-grandparents from Kilkenny and Cork would readily see.

RE" the current plague of "Heritage" that seems to be sweeping the globe, David Lowenthal's Possessed By The Past: The Heritage Crusade and the Spoils of History Free Press, 1996, is informative & instructive.

Best,

Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:51 AM

"it's not *my* culture to treat as trashily I want to, simply because I have some 'green' chromosomes."

I get your point, but it is based on a premiss that the leprechaun beards etc represent trashy treatment of Irish culture.

In fact they are a perfectly valid part of Irish culture, that those who do enjoy would probably love you to participate in.

Of course there is a time and place for everything, and Irish culture is made up of a myriad of other ingredients.

However, if your rationale is right - and as an outsider you are not qualified to make statements of Irishness that include wearing silly hats, beards and hamming up well known Irish songs - then by the same token, neither are you qualified to make value judgements regarding the authenticity of aspects of Irish culture that you see represented in your local O'Neills.

Which leaves you in a kind of self imposed stalemate.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 07:32 AM

"how can you judge with such scorn something that you admit you know nothing about"

No scorn Lox, you're seeing stuff that isn't there IMO - though my tongue might be in my cheek - and I recognise that doesn't carry on internet.
I do see football being somewhat like panto though. And though I don't have any interest in either, both are valid cultural expressions, that possess their own unique conventions.

I did go to a football match once about fifteen years ago - so though essentially I know nothing about football bar what gets flashed up on the news - I can remember that the chants of "You're Shit" were full on. Can't remember much about the match at all apart from that though, 'cos some bloke in a big red affro was standing in front of me...

Otherwise, as I mentioned uplist - as an English born person with Irish parentage (N.I. Catholic) I've been lately considering learning some Irish rebel songs myself - in memory of those I loved for whom such songs meant something to their personal experience - experiences (which meant I was born in England as a consequence of their emigration to escape the privations resultant from the troubles.)
So I don't think it's as cut and dried as you appear to think, I think it is.

I'm just loathe to lay full claim to a culture that I have *some* direct connections to. And I'm wary of indulging in cheapening things that might be worthy of respect. I'd never think "Well THEY do it, so why can't I?" - because, I'm not one of *them*. I'm not Irish, I'm English with Irish heritage. I see a difference, it's not *my* culture to treat as trashily I want to, simply because I have some 'green' chromosomes.

My feelings about my own immediate Irish family, people that were troubled, poetic, alcoholic, storytellers, gamblers, sometimes violent, extremely charming and very, very talkative - complicated 3D people with a history (much of it profound and tragic in equal measure), would make me feel uncomfortable about trivialising them by indulging in shallow and commercial Disneyesque stereotyping.

Other people with Irish connections may feel differently, but I find it very unappetising.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 06:35 AM

CS,

Generally, just so you know, Irish footie fans behave rather differently to English fans and as a result internatonal fixtures generally have something of a carnival atmosphere.

The point above is really just an indication of how the Irish have adopted stereotyped and cliche'd aspects of British culture with as much zeal as some brits have adopted Irish culture.

Just as have many Asians, Africans etc.

There are probably more "committed" Man U fans in India than in the rest of the world put together.

And the humourous pickings and parallels for the critical observer are plenty.

As for your comments regarding football and panto, there is no point me saying well you obviously know nothing about it because you have stated that yourself.

The question is, how can you judge with such scorn something that you admit you know nothing about - your impressions of footie culture confirming that fact.

I had earlier considered the possibility that the scorn poured on "plastic paddies" derives from a similar type of apparent class snobbery.

Footbal is a significant part of British and Irish culture, particularly at working class level, but also beyond that.

The reality is that I have endless numbers of Irish relatives aged 40 upwards who love danny boy etc and loads of all ages who love to sing along to Ride on etc and who don't see any need to refer to Plastic Paddies. They just enjoy having a good time to some old songs and they enjoy the singers. The more conservative ones like the johnny logan versions, and the others will happily get into a night of paddy mcginty's goat etc.

The youth go to football and rugby matches dressed in shamrocks, leprechaun beards and guinness hats. Afterwards they drink copious amoiunts of Guinness and sing Ole Ole Ole and the fields of Athenry.

All classic Plastic Paddy behaviour according to those with the required "insight" to tell the difference.

They get drunk, they live the cliches and they have a damn good time and they don't give a monkeys about terms like "plastic paddy" which have been imported.

The thing that attracts me to the Americans over the "plastic paddy" critics is there lack of judgementalism.

I'll bet those ageing Americans were like many of the Ageing Americans here.

I'll bet they aren't shallow or easily pigeonholed once you get to know them.

I'll bet they each had interesting experiences and perspectives on life that run much deeeper and resonate more powerfully than any cheap term like Plastic paddy ever could.

Folks on here are free to like or dislike the bawdy side of Irish culture, and they are free to like or dislike a song by Eric bogle.

But all this value judgement, pigeon holing and definition of terms on the subject of a nation of free individuals is quite frankly a load of bollox.

And as with all stereotypes and caricatures, it is a fabrication and represents noone.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 05:49 AM

Nothing of relevance here really other than to say football isn't at all big among my Irish family, it's always been the Horses... :)

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 05:25 AM

"... How many Irish Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal ... and these days Aston Villa fans are there.
Wearin' of the red ... singin' the songs ... remembering busby's babes ..."

I wouldn't know tbh Lox. - I don't partake of it or witness it except on news flash scenes. But I guess like the collectively understood conventions one might find in Panto, it's further examples of circus-style norms adopted by football fans within the sphere of
football culture.

Having no interest in either football or panto myself - I'm not inclined to paint my face and chant "you're shit, you're shit, you'reeee SHIT!" or cry "He's behind you!" in the supermarket, library, office, or when out having lunch with friends - or doing any of the other stuff in my everyday life that has likewise nothing to do with football culture, or panto.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 22 Jun 09 - 05:06 AM

On the subject of the Irish and football ...

... How many Irish Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal ... and these days Aston Villa fans are there.

Wearin' of the red ... singin' the songs ... remembering busby's babes ...

I look forward to explanations as to how this is utterly different.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Joybell
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 07:23 PM

Well that's swell. I could get myself some of those points. Where do I apply. I'm quite good at SELF parody.

However SELF parody is not what this song is about.

That's a whole different kettle of fish, a horse of a different colour, a red herring, a different ball game, a different end of a different stick.

Isn't it fun how far we ramble.
Cheers, Joy not-easily-outraged-and-not-outraged-now.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 06:33 PM

I met again today an archetypal Plastic Paddy. has a good irish accent, which he keeps fresh. Learned most of his irish songs sice moving to England because it makes a very good second living.

   Parodies himself.   His Tee shirt reads 'Sham-Rock'. Full points.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 05:15 PM

This may help: Spray

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 05:04 PM

Contraire. I have met up with some second cousins, having no cousins at all on my father's side and this was just in the last couple of years. One was in Ireland, by marriage. I missed meeting her husband. Yes, I do consider myself cousins with the Flynns in Chicago and Spelmans in Wisconsin and Deverys I hope to meet in the Portland area and DOnovans in California (who will be having a big family reunion in Spokane next year and I have been invited to it)and the Fitzgeralds in Ireland. Today I hope to maybe find a couple of Rex's in the Seattle area that might be second cousins. I am blessed with being related to Yusinovichs in Seattle and Williams and Cornwalls and Deckers in other parts of the US. And actually someone in Australia did track me down and provided me with information on the Devery Hotel near Ayres Rock and how respected they were by the traveling men there. I have talked to some second cousins in South Dakota and hope to someday make it to the Milwauke Irish fest where some cousins ten times removed yearly attend. Families became very fractured due to wars and poverty and diseases and why would anyone begrudge trying to build a few bridges to reunite them?    mg

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Crow Sister (off with the fairies)
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 04:13 PM

Mg: "I think what is saddest about this is that it is basically cousin against cousin, family against family."

Must say I find this melodramatic tawddle. You don't *seriously* consider yourself "cousin" with people that you shared a common ancestor with of several generations ago...? 'Family' isn't a few shared chromosomes, it's the people you are close to and share love and arguments with.

Say someone from Australia tracked me down after my great great Uncle emigrated in 1918, I'd think it jolly interesting. But only that - I sure wouldn't feel any kinship based on the fact that we shared a great great great granny that neither of us ever knew. And there wouldn't be any tearful reunion with lost "cousins" ten times removed.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 02:31 PM

All I can say is that I was brought up with a healthy suspicion against all forms of that 'Blut und Boden' malarkey. It has a history of bad experience.

If you like: at the end of the day we're all cousins and second cousins in one way or another and it should be far from anyone to tell another 'it's none of their business' for spurious reasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 02:09 PM

I think what is saddest about this is that it is basically cousin against cousin, family against family. Regardless of what has gone on culturally, some of these people have the exact same DNA as anyone in Killarney. So it is people turning on their own, which is a disgrace. And if it non-Irish calling out these names, then it is too stupid for words. It is none of their business. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: meself
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:56 PM

When a fiend visits, it's always best to humour him ... !

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:56 PM

It is fine that you didn't go in and it fine that the aging Americans found some innocent pleasure. It is fine that the accordeon player got a bit of money and the bar owner had 40 people spending money in his bar. Worked out for everyone. Hopefully the market would support something you would prefer, but we always have the option of singing privately with friends etc. Bar owners who have to make a living don't have to do it in a way that suits any of us. We are also free to set up a competing bar and see where the aging Americans prefer to go and/or the general populace and/or people who might come from afar to hear the specific kinds of music. And I will tell you something..probably unless they live in CHicago or Boston these aging Americans have never heard much in the way of live music. The only live music I heard growing up was in church or the local German oompah band.   Not even Scandinavian music in a place with a heavy Scandinavian population.   So don't begrudge them that small little bit of pleasure..not that it seems that you were...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Maryrrf
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:54 PM

I don't like the "Moggy" song but although I sing regularly in pubs and perform most of the songs Eric mentions, the "Plastic Paddy" song doesn't particularly bother me. I don't mind being spoofed and as opposed to the Moggy song there's nothing tragic that is made fun of (unless "murdering" Carrickfergus counts).

What's wrong with entertaining people by performing songs they want to hear? Some I like and enjoy singing, others I don't care for much. But if the audience enjoys themselves that's a reward in itself. I'm not a fan of "Galway Bay", but if it makes somebody's day to hear it then that's a good thing. I'd prefer to do an evening of Child Ballads but there isn't much of a market for that.   So we'll do some fun Clancy Brothers/Dubliners type stuff with guitar and banjo and maybe a fiddle, and everybody has a good time. I've even played at a pub called "The Blarney Stone".

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:53 PM

Hell, man, Disney's done it for the world. This is how we make the world safe for McDonald's, (so I guess the celts win after all after a fashion).

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:42 PM

A few years ago I had a fiend visiting. He wanted to see the area and, although I didn't really fancy it, liked to see O'Connor's in Doolin.
Not a bother, I descended into Doolin (I take the road from Liscannor over Doonagore bog and down by Doonagore castle) and had a walk around the amenities of Fisherstreet.

Eventually we stuck out head in the door of O'Connnor's, it was around three in the afternoon and inside was a tour-bus group of aging Americans being entertained by an accordeon player singing 'The Forty Shades of Green'.

We didn't go in.


Anyhow, I figure Bogle's song is about that sort of experience of traditional culture.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:31 PM

C

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:20 PM

Check out "Gaelic Song" by The Arrogant Worms and let me know if it leads you to a lawsuit. I think it's hilarious.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 01:18 PM

What happened to the free exchange of opinions on this forum?

Their opinions are every bit as valid as mine or anyones.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: meself
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 11:57 AM

Offended? You take yourself far too seriously, sir.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 11:52 AM

Well said, Dave. That's two of us with a sense of humour and a real sense of perspective (four including LH and Goatfell). The other miserable, moaning navel-gazing idiots need to get a fuckin' life and get offended by real issues that really matter.

IMHFO, and with every intention of offending miserable, moaning navel-gazing idiots.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 11:17 AM

There was an excellent comedian on the TV last night. Aussie bloke - looked a bit like Vin Garbutt in his younger days oddly enough - can't remember his name. Anyway he was on about people taking offence. Point was - let 'em. There is enough real pain without people taking offence at real or imagined slurs. You are all grown up people here. Remeber the old adage - sticks and stones can break my bones but names can never hurt me. Guess what. It's ture. Grow up and get over it. He put it far better of course.

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Little Hawk
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 11:12 AM

That about sums it up for me, Goatfell. ;-)

But remember....there are people in this world who spend their days searching for something, simply bloody anything, to get upset about. Really, anything at all will do. For those people, Eric Bogle's Plastic Paddy "slur" makes quite a stimulating excuse for generating a bit of outrage. Yesiree! Nothing like a bit of outrage with your tea and biscuits to start the day off right!

I think that all those people should go and picket the Australian consulate over this, don't you? (grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: goatfell
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 10:51 AM

for god sake its only a bloody song

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 09:26 AM

Time for some comic relief anyone?

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: kendall
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 09:17 AM

I used to sing Irish songs because I like them, even though there is no Irish in me. I do have a bit of "Scotch" in me at times.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Jun 09 - 05:25 AM

Joy

Re "a self-examination once again". I suspect Paul is thinking of The Wolfe Tones, one of whose party pieces (sic) was A Nation Once Again .

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 10:30 PM

I know what you mean, Joybell. I have worried for years that Eric will mention ME in one of his satirical songs! Fortunately, that hasn't happened.

Yet. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Joybell
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 10:18 PM

Joybell's trulov here: Let's start by getting a few things defined. The minute you take a cent for a performance or a song, you are a professional entertainer. however heartfelt our songs, or whatever their pretensions to social relevance, we are in show business. our supporters are not a folk community: they are a market. (and of course, we love them). for one of us to publicly denigrate one of the others is tacky and unprofessional, and always carries with it the suggestion of professional resentment or jealousy. of course, any one of us has a perfect right to do it, but it is self-demeaning. for people to support this kind of activity only demonstrates the smugness and clannishness in part of what is inaccurately called the "folk" scene.
i don't know Christy Moore personally. He is certainly a fine singer, but if anybody mentioned my name in a song like that, i would be mortified.
keep on truckin. h

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Joybell
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 09:24 PM

Cute metaphor but too cryptic for me. I'm usually rather bright too. However you've proved my point, Paul. You see how easy it is for you to fit this song into your own agenda. I'm familiar with catch-phrases and the way they can be appropriated. They are sticks with which I'm quite familiar.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 08:53 PM

"a self- examination once again"

I know that one ...

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Paul Burke
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 08:39 PM

I'm glad Eric found it within him to write a song that wouldn't curdle cream. He's spot on; just that the synthetic Celts sing Eric Bogle songs, or the like, as often as not. The real problem is the whinging selfcongratulation of much of what has passed for Irish folk in the last 30 or 40 years. The Troubles shrove them of the need for a self- examination once again. Sad that I haven't got WLD to argue the toss with on this one, Joybell you've got the wrong stick, never mind the wrong end.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Joybell
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 08:24 PM

I've always disliked this song. I know it's supposed to be satire but I don't believe it works that way. It's a mean and nasty comment about other performers. It gives people a chance to sneer. His comments are not private ones, they are made to be public and as such they give nastiness a legitimate voice in the name of satire. Once a song is out there it takes on a life of its own and the character, along with intentions, of the author become irrelevant.
I understand that in the whole scheme of things this discussion seems trivial but I'm out there singing for people where it's sometimes lonely. Many of us are. There's enough nastiness.

There I've said nasty three times.
Magic three times at the Solstice.
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 05:38 PM

I think we all have favorite phrases and some we have to give up. I have had to give up long ago such phrases as Japping out, Welching around, Indian Giver. I didn't really relate them at all to Indians or Japanese or Welsh people. But this is a deliberate, I'm better than they are type of insult, and I can't believe that respectful people would use it. It is meant to insult a supposedly lower than I class of people who know more than they do about their/our heritage. I admit, I knew/know next to nothing about my heritage. L here is what I knew...potato famine blah blah blah orphans blah blah blah railroad blah blah blah starvation blah blah blah Wearing of the Green blah blah blah St. Patrick blah blah blah snakes blah blah blah descended from kings blah blah blah ....not much to build on but not much to throw away on command/edict of my social superiors either. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: meself
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 04:19 PM

"Yes he's just a plastic paddy, singing plastic paddy songs"

Of course you're right, Ron - there's no mocking of the songs there.

"If you don't like Eric's song, don't applaud. You'll probably survive til the next song. Or you can always leave the concert in protest."

Calm down - and please quote from my posts to show where I said I didn't like the song.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: heric
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:38 PM

I was drinking one night in Ireland in the seventies. This old guy told me he likes American tourists just fine, just "not the ones who come here and wear green doubleknit pants and all that." I had to tell him "Man, you don't understand. They're Americans. They actually DO wear green doubleknit pants."

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: kendall
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:31 PM

Tempest in a tea cup

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 03:03 PM

Might I suggest "Exile's Son" by CARA. A wonderful tune which is devoted to the subject.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: MartinRyan
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 02:41 PM

Just think of it as Bogle's revenge for what the Irish did to his No Man's Land ;>)

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Ron Davies
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 02:34 PM

"...those songs mocked". Wrong. Eric portrays a singer who butchers everything he does.   As I noted before, he does not ridicule every song listed.

If you think he does, that's in your head. If you don't like Eric's song, don't applaud. You'll probably survive til the next song. Or you can always leave the concert in protest.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: meself
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 02:21 PM

I don't have any beef with the song (other than its implication that non-RC, non-IRA-supporters, are less authentically-Irish than RC, IRA supporters – how do the Irish feel about this?). However, it is the sort of thing that would have better remained as a musicians' in-joke. Like the private humour of medics, social workers, undertakers, and second-storey men, that of musicians and other show biz types is not always fully understood by the general public. This song should be taken as an expression of the frustration that many folkie/Irish-type musicians have felt and no doubt are still feeling at being required to perform the same handful of songs endlessly, night after night, year after year – or at being unable to get a well-paying gig because of their refusal to do so, and seeing lesser musicians get those gigs. There is no reason to expect the general public to relate to that frustration; the general public, inasmuch as they sit down in an "Irish" pub from time to time, apparently want to hear and sing along with that handful of songs. Having those songs, their singers, and the places where they are sung, mocked, is of course going to bewilder and even hurt those who are not part of the in-crowd. Eric should have saved this one for the after-party.

Subject: RE: BS: Plastic Paddy slur
From: Rifleman (inactive)
Date: 20 Jun 09 - 01:34 PM

Richard Thompson is on record as saying, in response to a slur against him by Shane MacGowan (something to do with Thompson being a has-been and being overated), that the last thing the world needed was another stage Irishman, no one, at the time (this was when The Pogues were at their height, they opened for RT), said a word. I'm wondering IF some people simply want to offended by perceieved racial slurs? Just asking.