My discussion of the words and phrases such as "Uncle Tom", "tar baby" etc, is also appropriate and germane if you simply go back and read the reason they came up. A poster brushed aside Easley's remark as having been an insult of an fictional characters. I then pointed out that "Uncle Tom" is a fictional character, yet the term is a potent slur even though it involves a fictional character.

You are missing the obvious counter point to your argument. Calling Rocky a homosexual makes absolutely no sense in that context. Likewise, the term Uncle Tom refers to a character in a novel whose name has become a slur. Last I checked, calling someone Rocky didn't imply any sort of slur. Also, while tar baby may have an acceptable use, I don't think anyone ever thinks of that. They automatically think of the racial slur.

You and other posters have argued that "pansy" has two meanings, one derogatory, one more or less benign. I disagree with this view, but offered "tar baby" as a term that has a negative and benign definition in return. Again, a germane point to the discussion at hand.

Unlike Pansy, tar baby as a slur has a wide cultural base. You will not find a single person who does not think tar baby is a slur. You will find many, probably more so, that view pansy as a benign word.

I have also pointed out to people claiming ignorance of the term's negative connotation that an overwhelming number of sources recognize it in the context I have put forth, including a major pop culture source.

The thing with slang, is that depending on the cultural and social groupings, words taken on entirely different meanings. If you don't believe me, just look up the word peanut butter on urban dictionary. It is also a selective usage of definitions. You can just as easily point to this definition: 5. pansy 91 up, 22 down

someone very pathetic and wimpy, generally used as an insult against both sexes. often confused with fag, sissyand other rather small-minded terms for a homosexual man.

but you don't because it works against your argument.

The question was asked whether Easley meant consciously this as a slam against gay people. I don't know, probably not, but it sounds like your typical Freudian slip to me. That aside, even in its secondary connotation, it loses an anti-gay meaning, but acquires an anti-female one.

Yes, because Governor Easley has this deep down fear and hatred of homosexuals. Likewise, the second definition isn't anti-female. Whether or not you want to accept it, society has a long established and developed idea of gender roles. Yes there are people that break those gender roles every day, but that does not mean those gender roles do not exist. Girls have Barbies and guys have GI Joes. Different is not deficient.

At the risk of being accused of using yet another example you don't approve of, imagine if Easley had referred to Clinton as "My nigga".

"Nigga" has two definitions, one benign ("My close friend"), the other highly offensive.

That word has been long established as a slur. Pansy, as evidence by many people not know about the homosexual aspect of it, does not.

As to my discussion of the German government (you, I believe were the first to use the term "Nazi", while I specifically chose the less emotionally-charged "German government"), this came about in reference to why I have a negative view of Easley, Clinton, and all other Dems espousing a "reach across the aisle" mentality, specifically, they are collaborating with the enemy and lending them legitimacy.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. Just becuase you didn't initial post Nazi, but instead German Government does not mean that the meaning is not there. One isn't going to automatically assume the Holy Roman Empire, especially in a discussion like this.

Oh, and god forbid people work together to get something accomplished. And calling people who have different political views as you "the enemy" is extremely childish and is the mentality that has been destroying politics. There are no goodies and badies. Just people who disagree.

Mr. poo poo head? :P

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

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