Around 1991 I had an argument with a lefty friend about political
correctness. I told him that in 10 years, if things continued, we would
have a measurable loss of freedom of speech simply because people would
be afraid to say things. He laughed and called me a paranoid
right-winger.
I just sent him a link to this story
and told him he owes me an apology. Tiger Woods is being criticized for
using a slang word for inept (spaz) because it comes from spastic,
which, in the politically correct speech world is a harsh and
insensitive (though technically correct) way of referring to, what, a
coordination-challenged person?
In any event, Woods in no way
meant to refer to any existing spastic or whatever-challenged person.
It was just a comment using a slang word. No harm meant. But that’s not
good enough. He must pay!
UPDATE:
Forgot to mention that two U.S. newspapers covering the press
conference at which the comments were made refused to use the word, one
even changing the quote and the other leaving it out altogether. When
newspapers are afraid to assert their First Amendment rights we’re all
in trouble.
