David o Whalen is just as naughty as writing it, so I think we're both (all three countin' Tom) in deep doo-doo with Santa this year!

David o Whalen it took you longer to write the comment than it did to read this, right Tom! I think it's a toss-up between you and raskin for appreciating the naughtier poets on this site! Thanks for checking me out Tom Appreciate ya!

David o Whalen but if my words were truly racist (which they most certainly are not) then I have slandered, and made fun of my self and my beloved hillbilly relatives (I'm a Kentuckian) many of whom pronounce the "or" sound as "o" This pronunciation is indigenous and quite common to many people in the southern parts of our country and this so-called offensive language is a precious and charming part of our American vernacular and I will unabashedly continue to use regional as well as racial language in my writing. James lee Burke in his best selling novels honestly and openly uses regional dialect and patois in his novels as do many others. To give racial overtones to words implies often a suppressed and maybe unconscious racism in one's self. I'm sure that's not the case with you. Were I truly racist I could have made it obvious long before now. My own family has become inter-racial and the conversations we have would probably freak you out in their interplay of what to you might seem "racist". At any rate, the many people (and my relatives) in my part of the country would be highly offended by those who find their (and my own) language as "stereotypical and offensive" as you describe this so-called racist word. Methinks your feelings and intentions were well meant, while at the same time were stereotypical and offensive to me, my kin, and many others. There's an old saying that contains the words "He that protests too much." Being color blind and non-judgmental I think this is much ado about nothing. And finally, just because I use proper language in my writing, are you going to stereotype and assume me to be a white person? I should be insulted by your offensive and racially implied innuendo, but, I"m not, and I know that you had the best intentions and after a little thought (and less impulsiveness) You might reconsider to have rushed so quickly to judgement. No one else did! And I could care less about hits, as I write only for myself, as a hobby, to pass time and secondly to share my thoughts and feelings with other poets. Again Rag, I'm truly sorry to have offended you and I respect your feelings, but the fact is I simply don't see, feel allow, or hear (or suffer) racism in my life (My wife is mixed race, White and Cherokee). I give you my sympathy, but you'll hear no apology in regard to racism where none exists. (except in the eye of the beholder). Take a note from Raz and Tom and lighten up! Merry Christmas Rag, I appreciated your point of view and hope we can agree to disagree amicably in the future. I loved that you flagged me (really!). It's kinda like a badge of honor, but might regrettably and inadvertently cause more hits due to people's curiosity!! I also find your comment "As we all know a black man would do" curious indeed! We??... Pregnant are you?