Posted on 03/16/2007 1:32:24 PM PDT by SmithL
Cedar Falls, Iowa (AP) -- Republican presidential contender John McCain on Friday used the term "tar baby," considered by some a racial epithet, and later said he regretted it.
Answering questions at a town hall meeting, the Arizona senator was discussing federal involvement in custody cases when he said, "For me to stand here and ... say I'm going to declare divorces invalid because of someone who feels they weren't treated fairly in court, we are getting into a tar baby of enormous proportions and I don't know how you get out of that."
After the event, McCain told reporters: "I don't think I should have used that word and I was wrong to do so."
The senator said he hoped it wouldn't be viewed as a racial remark. He argued that he was trying to say that it wouldn't make sense for him to have a role in something left to the courts.
Last summer, a top McCain rival, Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, apologized for referring to the troubled Big Dig construction project in Boston as a "tar baby" during a fundraiser in Ames, Iowa.
The term dates to the 19th century Uncle Remus stories, referring to a doll made of tar that traps Br'er Rabbit. It has become known as a way of describing a sticky mess and has been used as a derogatory term for a black person.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
In all my decades in Alabama, I've never once heard a Black person called a "tar baby."
Not once.
I bet that the reporters out wherever haven't, either.
Another Weak Willie.
I don't care for McCain.
But this PC language crap has got to stop! We have people mispronouncing the planet "Uranus", and "harassment". The word "Gender" has replaced "sex", although they mean different things and gender is usually incorrectly being used when this is done. People add "person" to everything or write using "he/she". Stop butchering our language!
Was'nt there a book"Briar Rabbit and Tar baby",or something like that,,seems I read it in 2nd grade...,,and they got into a mess of trouble or something..?..a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
That was great. You couldn't do that today.
In all my decades in Alabama, I've never once heard a Black person called a "tar baby."
Did'nt Happen in this part of Alabama..
Not politically correct: "Look at all them f'n Indians!!!".
I hate inappropriate apologies almost as much as I hate PC.
There was nothing inappropriate about his use of language, but wilting at the first charge of racism shows a lack of moral courage.
The DNC is the party of old-time race repression and modern race obsession. Thats their peculiar mania, and let them have it. Republicans have no reason to let themselves get dragged down into that slough, and they come off like fools everytime they do.
Oh well...
While we're on the subject, I propose the following PC "Man Person Law"
No individual who has laughed during a showing of the movie Blazing Saddles shall be elected President.
Man Law? um... Person Law?
I didn't care when Tony Snow said it and I don't care when John McCain said it. WHO F--KING CARES????
Of that, I have no doubt...
The MSM looks as PC as the neutron bomb of politics, it kills Republicans but leaves rats standing.
hahahahahaha I got a chuckle!
"A recent Gallup Poll of registered voters shows Senator John McCain at -3.7%... details at 11 pm..."
Ban the TB-word!
Get thou on an apology tour!!!!
Then, get thee to a rehab center!!!!
I don't know, but they would have been mine too.
If it was used that way it was in the Olden Days.®
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