What’s the big deal about the word faggot? OK, it’s not a kind thing to call someone, but neither is it kind to call the Conservative Political Action Conference — where Ann Coulter implied that John Edwards is a faggot — a hate fest. People of all political persuasions use unkind words every day. Can you count the times the left has used an unkind word in referring to Dick Cheney and Karl Rove?

Anyone that knows anything about Ann Coulter knows that stirring up controversy is her style; that speaking bluntly is her trademark. The furor over her remark is more about a chance to attack Coulter than about any real harm done to Edwards. How can being barked at by a right-wing attack dog harm a political candidate that spends his days trying to convince the Poor America (of his Two Americas) that he is their savior while living in a 29,000 square foot house?

While he does appear a bit effeminate, I’ve never had any reason to think Edwards is gay. I don’t think Coulter does either. This was just her rather colorful way of expressing her dislike of Edwards. I don’t like Edwards either; if I listen to him for a few minutes I start feeling nauseous. I’ve lived my whole life in the deep South but I have an unexplained distrust for anyone who talks like their mouth is full of grits — even though I love grits.
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I can live with not calling homosexuals bad names, but I confess that I can’t treat them just like everyone else. Good golly Miss Molly! THEY’RE NOT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE! I can’t take them seriously when I have that image in my mind of what they do when they’re alone together (at least it used to be when they’re alone together). I don’t treat women just like I treat men because they’re not just like men. If homosexuals insist on being different they shouldn’t be surprised to find that others will treat them as if they’re different.

I know I’m not a homophobe; I’m not the least bit afraid of homosexuals. If I need some work done I will hire the person that I think will provide the best value, regardless of sexual orientation. If I have a house to rent I will rent it to anyone that I think will take care of it and pay the rent on-time, regardless of sexual orientation. But if I’m choosing a new friend I’ll probably lean toward a straight person.

Perhaps it’s because I’m just too old to adapt. I don’t think young people with tattoos are attractive either.  Uh… I should have said ‘young women’, not ‘young people’.  I didn’t mean to imply that I think young men without tattoos are…  Well, you know what I meant.