[redwitch]

To me, being PC is not a group or person acting nor thinking they are morally superior, it is pointing out how hurtful and wrong some words are. That's why the N and K words are no longer socially acceptable. It took folks standing up and saying those words were wrong and would not be be said in their presence or in their homes. It took courage and fortitude. Today, PC has gone too far and can be absolutely ridiculous. So, I know longer go by what is considered PC. Instead, I stand by my rule that if a word or phrase will hurt another, I don't use it around that person. Doesn't mean I won't utter that word away from them, just not around them.

For example, I have a potty mouth, to put it mildly. I have some friends who never curse, damn being about as strong their language gets. I do my very best to not curse around them. If I slip, I immediately apologize. Psychology was my major. Retarded was and is a clinical term referring to individuals with an extremely low IQ, ditto moron. Today, retarded has become mentally challenged. To me, mentally challenged is a total misnomer. It says nothing about the degree of retardation. Regardless, I do my best to not say retarded or moron when describing a person. I'll stick with mentally challenged unless I am speaking in a clinical sense, usually with a medical or psychiatric professional.

So, maybe we shouldn't worry so much whether something is PC. Maybe we should just try basic kindness, understanding and thoughtfulness. The hel...heck with the PC police. Seems like that would take care of most issues.