McCain in 2000: "I hate the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live."

[DeadPoolX 9]

McCain's problem isn't whether or not the racial slur was appropriate in this context -- that's a personal opinion -- but that since he's currently running for President of the United States, anything he says and does will be scrutinized thoroughly by both the media and populous. When attempting to gain a political position as high up as this one, a gaff like this (even if he and many others feel it may be warranted), could have the potential to seriously hurt his campaign. All in all, it was not a smart move.

I think that if McCain had wanted to make a statement like this, he should have done so after he either won or lost his bid for the presidency. At that time, his comment wouldn't matter nearly as much.

Edited January 31, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Peikko 1,575]

Whatever '######' means in McCain's head, it clearly has a derogatory meaning against an entire population in general usage, so while it's acceptable for someone to make such a comment off the cuff in the heat of the moment, it's a very different thing to then re-iterate the same thing in the cold light of day.

Some of you may not like the idea that implied racism is a bad thing and should not be tolerated but the average person does understand that this is unacceptable behaviour.

People have been fired for saying comments of this nature. It's a shame because I now have to re-evaluate McCain. Someone suggested he can be a little unstable and I thought, "hooey" but now I am not so sure.

[garya505 2]

McCain's problem isn't whether or not the racial slur was appropriate in this context -- that's a personal opinion -- but that since he's currently running for President of the United States, anything he says and does will be scrutinized thoroughly by both the media and populous. When attempting to gain a political position as high up as this one, a gaff like this (even if he and many others feel it may be warranted), could have the potential to seriously hurt his campaign. All in all, it was not a smart move.

I think that if McCain had wanted to make a statement like this, he should have done so after he either won or lost his bid for the presidency. At that time, his comment wouldn't matter nearly as much.

That was in 2000. Apparently his presentation is a little more polished now.

[garya505 2]

Whatever '######' means in McCain's head, it clearly has a derogatory meaning against an entire population in general usage, so while it's acceptable for someone to make such a comment off the cuff in the heat of the moment, it's a very different thing to then re-iterate the same thing in the cold light of day.

Some of you may not like the idea that implied racism is a bad thing and should not be tolerated but the average person does understand that this is unacceptable behaviour.

People have been fired for saying comments of this nature. It's a shame because I now have to re-evaluate McCain. Someone suggested he can be a little unstable and I thought, "hooey" but now I am not so sure.

That's interesting, I figured you for a Hillary supporter. How strange.

[Heracles 417]

Different country, different language - different contextual meaning. As we know certain English words sound very similar to offensive words in other languages, and vice versa. The difference surely is in the intent and the intended meaning. Then again... linguistic misunderstandings between speakers of different languages are nothing new are they...?

The first example of "different contextual meaning" that comes to mind is Don Imus. Yet, since he is Caucasians the meaning and context become irrelevant..

I understand the point you are trying to make but you seem to refuse to accept that based on ones race there are double standards in America. Which ironically is the 'actual' definition of racism. That is, if someone Caucasian made a comment perceived as being racist, they are automatically branded a racist. Yet if someone else like an African American made a similar racist comment about someone white, then it receives a "nothing to see move along" response.

The only difference is that we are not babies and don't pretend to be all 'big' and 'bad' yet cry over words. LMAO

Edited January 31, 2008 by Boo-Yah!

[Peikko 1,575]

I wouldn't say 'move along'. It is unacceptable to be racist, period. There is no point in making generalisations about entire peoples based on what they look like, or their ethnic origins. It's crass and really incredibly facile.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I don't think anyone is debating the level of trauma John received due to his capture. I don't think many would feel it inappropriate if he referred to those interrogators as 'bastards'. However, using a racial slur whilst running for President and attempting to justify it is wrong, if not stupid. Piggy-backing on El Presidente's previous comments, if McCain's daughters had been murdered by black men, would he be justified in saying, "I hate the n*****s. I will hate them as long as I live" and then turn around and say, "I was talking only about those particularly men."? Come on.

So, you think McCain is racist and hates all asians, correct?

Gary, you have quite a creative reading of people's posts.

Not really. The perception of the word someone uses has to do with what you think their intent is. That's why when a black guy calls another black guy a n*** it's no big deal, but when a white guy calls a black guy a n*** it's offensive because the assumption is that the white guy is racist (unless he's your brother-in-law then maybe he's not) . So what was McCain's intended meaning? It's not too much of a stretch to imagine that it's just that he hates the men who tortured him. Does anyone really think he would refer to any other asian person as a g***? Does anyone really think he's racist against asians?

The point is, he used a derogatory term that refers to a specific, sizable group. He may very well have intended only to describe his captors, but he used a word clearly associated with the American contempt for the Vietnamese stemming from the conflict. Does anyone really think he's racist against Asians? It's entirely possible that some do, but that wasn't SteveLaura's point.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I don't think anyone is debating the level of trauma John received due to his capture. I don't think many would feel it inappropriate if he referred to those interrogators as 'bastards'. However, using a racial slur whilst running for President and attempting to justify it is wrong, if not stupid. Piggy-backing on El Presidente's previous comments, if McCain's daughters had been murdered by black men, would he be justified in saying, "I hate the n*****s. I will hate them as long as I live" and then turn around and say, "I was talking only about those particularly men."? Come on.

So, you think McCain is racist and hates all asians, correct?

Gary, you have quite a creative reading of people's posts.

Not really. The perception of the word someone uses has to do with what you think their intent is. That's why when a black guy calls another black guy a n*** it's no big deal, but when a white guy calls a black guy a n*** it's offensive because the assumption is that the white guy is racist (unless he's your brother-in-law then maybe he's not) . So what was McCain's intended meaning? It's not too much of a stretch to imagine that it's just that he hates the men who tortured him. Does anyone really think he would refer to any other asian person as a g***? Does anyone really think he's racist against asians?

The point is, he used a derogatory term that refers to a specific, sizable group. He may very well have intended only to describe his captors, but he used a word clearly associated with the American contempt for the Vietnamese stemming from the conflict. Does anyone really think he's racist against Asians? It's entirely possible that some do, but that wasn't SteveLaura's point.

I guess then, during WW2 everyone that used the word Jap or Kraut are racists.Sheesh!

[garya505 2]

I don't think anyone is debating the level of trauma John received due to his capture. I don't think many would feel it inappropriate if he referred to those interrogators as 'bastards'. However, using a racial slur whilst running for President and attempting to justify it is wrong, if not stupid. Piggy-backing on El Presidente's previous comments, if McCain's daughters had been murdered by black men, would he be justified in saying, "I hate the n*****s. I will hate them as long as I live" and then turn around and say, "I was talking only about those particularly men."? Come on.

So, you think McCain is racist and hates all asians, correct?

Gary, you have quite a creative reading of people's posts.

Not really. The perception of the word someone uses has to do with what you think their intent is. That's why when a black guy calls another black guy a n*** it's no big deal, but when a white guy calls a black guy a n*** it's offensive because the assumption is that the white guy is racist (unless he's your brother-in-law then maybe he's not) . So what was McCain's intended meaning? It's not too much of a stretch to imagine that it's just that he hates the men who tortured him. Does anyone really think he would refer to any other asian person as a g***? Does anyone really think he's racist against asians?

The point is, he used a derogatory term that refers to a specific, sizable group. He may very well have intended only to describe his captors, but he used a word clearly associated with the American contempt for the Vietnamese stemming from the conflict. Does anyone really think he's racist against Asians? It's entirely possible that some do, but that wasn't SteveLaura's point.

Well, then you should vote for Hillary.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

The point is, he used a derogatory term that refers to a specific, sizable group. He may very well have intended only to describe his captors, but he used a word clearly associated with the American contempt for the Vietnamese stemming from the conflict. Does anyone really think he's racist against Asians? It's entirely possible that some do, but that wasn't SteveLaura's point.

Well, then you should vote for Hillary.

I haven't expressed an opinion here, I'm just trying to clarify things a bit.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I don't think anyone is debating the level of trauma John received due to his capture. I don't think many would feel it inappropriate if he referred to those interrogators as 'bastards'. However, using a racial slur whilst running for President and attempting to justify it is wrong, if not stupid. Piggy-backing on El Presidente's previous comments, if McCain's daughters had been murdered by black men, would he be justified in saying, "I hate the n*****s. I will hate them as long as I live" and then turn around and say, "I was talking only about those particularly men."? Come on.

So, you think McCain is racist and hates all asians, correct?

Gary, you have quite a creative reading of people's posts.

Not really. The perception of the word someone uses has to do with what you think their intent is. That's why when a black guy calls another black guy a n*** it's no big deal, but when a white guy calls a black guy a n*** it's offensive because the assumption is that the white guy is racist (unless he's your brother-in-law then maybe he's not) . So what was McCain's intended meaning? It's not too much of a stretch to imagine that it's just that he hates the men who tortured him. Does anyone really think he would refer to any other asian person as a g***? Does anyone really think he's racist against asians?

The point is, he used a derogatory term that refers to a specific, sizable group. He may very well have intended only to describe his captors, but he used a word clearly associated with the American contempt for the Vietnamese stemming from the conflict. Does anyone really think he's racist against Asians? It's entirely possible that some do, but that wasn't SteveLaura's point.

I guess then, during WW2 everyone that used the word Jap or Kraut are racists.Sheesh!

I suppose the big difference is that back then people weren't so sensitive about things like this. We were also at war too, which generally leads to feelings of hostility with the opposite party. Of course, the great majority of those soldiers in WWII didn't run for political office or at least, one as high as President of the United States too. I think a little more is expected out of someone hoping to attain that position.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I understand the point you are trying to make but you seem to refuse to accept that based on ones race there are double standards in America. Which ironically is the 'actual' definition of racism. That is, if someone Caucasian made a comment perceived as being racist, they are automatically branded a racist. Yet if someone else like an African American made a similar racist comment about someone white, then it receives a "nothing to see move along" response.

No, I'd think that would be racist as well...

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I guess then, during WW2 everyone that used the word Jap or Kraut are racists.Sheesh!

Jap = Jewish American Princess?

[DeadPoolX 9]

I guess then, during WW2 everyone that used the word Jap or Kraut are racists.Sheesh!

Jap = Jewish American Princess?

No, not that type of "Jap." He means "Jap" as in "Japanese." "Nip" was also used, since it was short for "Nippon."

[Sister Fracas 5]

Well, then you should vote for Hillary.

What does that have to do with anything?

Sheesh, if you don't find McCain's comment just a silly thing he said a few years back and not something to worry about, you are automatically a Hillary supporter??? Ahhh, VJ sheesh!