You know what I hate almost more than a racist?

[Guest Incandenza]

Who the hell are the Democrats to say anything. The people in Congress who lobbied against the Civil Rights Act were Democrats like Al Gore's Father, and let's not forget Mr.KKK Robert Byrd who got away with saying "White Niggers".

Go have a bottle, baby.

[Guest Kinetic]

You know who else got away with saying "white nigger?" Elvis Costello. It got "Oliver's Army" banned from the BBC, but it remains intact on copies of Armed Forces to this day. Shortly thereafter, he attempted to rile Stephen Stills up by calling Ray Charles "an ignorant nigger" during a drunken row, which inspired the superlative R&B-based Get Happy! as a peace offering to the black community. So there is a precedent for public figures saying ignorant, racist things in passing and having it bite them on the ass later on. To Trent Lott, I suggest investing in a hat, growing a beard, and recording an album's worth of somber collaborations with Burt Bacharach.

[Guest SP-1]

Kinetic is a genius.

[Guest Incandenza]

The Stephen Stills situation was Costello being a callous prick; "Oliver's Army" was a political screed taking on Thatcherian politics--which many viewed as racist (the politics, not the song). I'd say there was a difference between the Stills thing and the song.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

It should slide. What Lott said was wrong, and I hope he steps down has Majority Leader for other reasons but their are far more important matters than Trent Lott.

[Guest Kinetic]

You'd be absolutely correct, too. But saying that word in any context is bound to cause trouble, especially within an obvious single set to an Abba-esque piano line. I was basically just attempting to show off my knowledge of Costello history, he admits in a rare display of candor.