Uppity all over again

If I told you another congressional candidate used the slur "uppity" again, what kind of person comes to mind?

Certainly, no one of high intelligence. Or nobility. Or someone remotely interested in righteousness. In fact, it's not tough to imagine this sort of person at all.

First and foremost, it's a Republican. But isn't it always?

8th District congressional candidate Rick Goddard, a challenger to U.S. Rep Jim Marshall, used the term on a Macon, Ga.,-based radio show only hours before U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland applied the slur to Barack and Michelle Obama. Goddard was referring to Ron Allen, a MSNBC reporter who had the temerity to ask Newt Gringich about the relative qualifications of Sarah Palin. Allen, somewhat obviously, is black - as are nearly all the people who are the target of this term.

But since Westmoreland feels it unnecessary to apologize, I can't imagine Goddard will feel much differently. In fact, they - and others of their ilk - might actually feel emboldened because they haven't been held accountable for their actions. Which is a problem, and not just for me.

Westmoreland and Goddard are running to represent districts that are heavily comprised of black residents - 40 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Can you imagine either of them feeling particularly responsive or responsible to those constituencies? Indeed, I fret for the future of the good folks of 3rd and 8th Districts. (What is it with Georgia, btw?)

And here is where I point the finger at the GOP. Shouldn't someone - anyone other than Bill O'Reilly - on the right side of the aisle be urging this Doofus Duo to show some contrition? Who's going to step up? Anyone?

Of course, there's one way to ensure Westmoreland and Goddard and their Republican cronies are mere footnotes - ugly ones - of this campaign season: vote.

UPDATE: On the "uppity" front, I anticipate that I'll have something interesting to post in the next day or so. Please stay tuned.