Posted by Jed Lewison on Thu May 1, 2008 at 12:36 AM Pacific

Clinton smiles as surrogate uses sexist, homophobic expression

Video of Easley's remark

On Tuesday, John Aravosis noticed that NC Gov. Mike Easley used the term "pansy" while Hillary Clinton stood silently by his side. As you probably know, "pansy" is derogatory term used to suggest a man is girly or gay. Now, there's nothing wrong with being a girl or being gay, but when you put someone down for being homosexual or effeminate, that's not cool. Not at all.

Senator Clinton actually cracked a smile as Easley uttered the slur and she still hasn't apologized. On Wednesday, NBC reported that while she accepted another endorsement, her endorser said the next president needed testicular fortitude and then unleashed a bizarre attack on Barack Obama supporters:

I truly believe that that’s going to take an individual that has testicular fortitude. ... Gucci-wearing, latte-drinking, self-centered, egotistical people that have damaged our lifestyle.

Clinton proudly accepted the endorsement, uttering not a word about her endorser's divisive words.

This isn't just about slurs or hate speech. Back in February, she slammed the entire progressive movement. It all comes down to this: is there anybody she wouldn't throw under the bus to get ahead?

Update: I changed the title of this post, swapping out "slur" in favor of "expression." I decided that a more value-neutral word there would be less off-putting to those who don't yet understand why what Easley said is not okay. The main pushback I've gotten here and on YouTube is from people who think "pansy" means "weak" not effeminate or homosexual. It doesn't mean that though. Look it up -- it means effeminate (applied to men) or gay, and it is a derogatory term. To the extent that it conveys weakness, it does so because of sexist and homophobic attitudes, which at the very least Easley was appealing to in order to make his point. It was certainly not worthy of a presidential candidate.

Clinton smiles as surrogate uses sexist, homophobic expression

Video of Easley's remark

On Tuesday, John Aravosis noticed that NC Gov. Mike Easley used the term "pansy" while Hillary Clinton stood silently by his side. As you probably know, "pansy" is derogatory term used to suggest a man is girly or gay. Now, there's nothing wrong with being a girl or being gay, but when you put someone down for being homosexual or effeminate, that's not cool. Not at all.

Senator Clinton actually cracked a smile as Easley uttered the slur and she still hasn't apologized. On Wednesday, NBC reported that while she accepted another endorsement, her endorser said the next president needed testicular fortitude and then unleashed a bizarre attack on Barack Obama supporters:

I truly believe that that’s going to take an individual that has testicular fortitude. ... Gucci-wearing, latte-drinking, self-centered, egotistical people that have damaged our lifestyle.

Clinton proudly accepted the endorsement, uttering not a word about her endorser's divisive words.

This isn't just about slurs or hate speech. Back in February, she slammed the entire progressive movement. It all comes down to this: is there anybody she wouldn't throw under the bus to get ahead?

Update: I changed the title of this post, swapping out "slur" in favor of "expression." I decided that a more value-neutral word there would be less off-putting to those who don't yet understand why what Easley said is not okay. The main pushback I've gotten here and on YouTube is from people who think "pansy" means "weak" not effeminate or homosexual. It doesn't mean that though. Look it up -- it means effeminate (applied to men) or gay, and it is a derogatory term. To the extent that it conveys weakness, it does so because of sexist and homophobic attitudes, which at the very least Easley was appealing to in order to make his point. It was certainly not worthy of a presidential candidate.

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