"But I didn't MEAN to offend anyone ..."

Goddamn I'm sick of that predictable response from racists, bigots, homophobes ... the great grab bag of ignorant pukes who only apologize for moronic statements and/or behavior to cover their cowardly asses. The latest I found on Crooks & Liars:

A Geneva High School teacher is being accused of making anti-gay and racist comments in his classroom.

Dave Burk, who teaches consumer education, is accused of making the comments by his students during an Oct. 5 lecture on tax money involving the National Endowment for the Arts.

"How would you feel about your tax dollars going to pay some black fag in New York to take pictures of other black fags?" Burk allegedly asked, according to student Jordan Hunter.

Burk's attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said Monday he was not personally aware of the terms Burk used to his classes, but that Burk apologizes for any offense.

That's nearly identical to the 'apology' issued by the clowns who performed in blackface (and, in the case of Michael Jackson, 'whiteface') last week on Aussie TV. Disingenuous doesn't begin to describe it. At least this jackass Burk didn't call his remarks a 'tribute' to those he mocked, unlike the minstrel schmucks.

A new Andrew Denton-produced comedy on ABC last night had a segment on the 'Outrage Industry', a dismissive critique of those who pay attention to culture and object when necessary. I'd rather be a self-righteous, PC-spewing lefty than bite my tongue at overt, backward, and pitifully defended racism and/or homophobia. Yes, we ALL KNOW IT'S WRONG -- but not all of us are hip and world-weary enough to smirk and nonchalantly spout post-racial platitudes in an extremely racist world.

The world I grew up in is much like the Australia of today. There are outright bigots, but most people preach tolerance and express distaste at overtly racist and/or homophobic behavior. From what I've seen, it's 'un-Australian' to speak up about what offends you, however. Better to whisper happy words and deified intentions ... la la la ... or as an anonymous commenter wrote in response to my 'Jackson Jive' blog post:

I'm an Australian by birth and generational history, but am patriotic to no land. If I was to say that I was patriotic to anything at all, I would have to say that it would be to Love and Truth.

I've never written a cross word about a comment left on this blog because I'm honored by them all. But ... I can't imagine the self-satisfaction it takes to claim value neutrality. This commenter went on:

Sorry to say Joe, but I feel that this article makes you sound just as bad as the people you're offended by.

I'd respond, but I gotta find a field of wildflowers and butterflies to protect me from being aware of the world I inhabit ....