It would be different if a racist word had been used. But "faggot" is a derogatory term for one who practices fudge-packing with same-sex pervs. It's not a race, creed, religion, color, etc. It's a nasty, anti-natural type of (mis)BEHAVIOR. And it should be criticized, at every level, and not held to some standard that elevates it above deviancy. And John Edwards certainly comes across as a faggot. If he's straight, I'd be shocked to learn it.