"Yet if this were a conservative forget about it!"
Conservatives too make reference to Indians and motels/gas stations/Apu all the time. Big deal. Just go to any large thread about India/Indians, you will see Apu comments(all light hearted)... and I don't see anyone(including Indian freepers) making big fuss about it.
We are talking about the double standard with which the media treats alleged public sensitivity transgressions by politicians based solely on their political affiliation.
For an example, compare and contrast the furor over Trent Lott complimenting Strom Thurmond at a private function to the non-furor that failed to erupt when former klansman Byrd referred to "white niggers" on national television.
The NY Times rarely comments on the unknown random person's private comments or internet postings, so those aren't really relevant to the debate.