[DGTess]

Way too often, in our quest to be "right" rather than listen first, we don't give people the benefit of the doubt.

When you're talking - discussing ideas - often the terminology you were raised with comes out.

In my area, one of the most egregious examples was Senator George Allen's campaign, when he referred to an opposition researcher in the crowd as "macaca" - that and the press probably cost him the election.

On the other hand, so few high-visibility gaffes come from those who are willing to stand up and say "Oh, wow, did I mess up big time. While that is terminology I heard and used while growing up, I understand its significance and apologize for reverting."

Assuming, of course, that it's the truth.

I know I've done it. I remember using in a professional conversation the admiring statement about another who had "jewed him down to a realistic price" -- how offensive. Yet it was a term I had heard for years, and it just came out.

It's all well and good to try to hold politicians, celebrities, journalists (if you can find one), reporters, etc. to a different standard, but they *are* people.

The key should be the sincerity of the apology.