First, I just have to say that the show "Cracker" was actually a detective type show (if it's the one I know of) which got it's name from a British mystery series that had been run on PBS channels and the nickname for the lead character "Cracker" had to do with the fact that he "cracked" cases that others didn't. So, if it's the same show I know of, I'm not sure it has any racial implications to it, though the name might sound as if it does.

I think it's sad that Dog Chapman made such a comment, but can I just say (even if it puts me in line to get my head slapped - lightly) ... sometimes in PRIVATE conversations that we have with people who are really close to us, we say things that are not so much an expression of our beliefs in general but may be about 1 person in particular OR are not really meant in to be a serious comment at all .. and we believe the other person knows it .... I believe that most of us have made comments in private conversations that if heard by someone else would make us feel shame. I have not listened to the tape, just as I never listened to IMUS's comments.

Racism is wrong. Having said that, we are in a strange time ... there are still those living that grew up in a time long before the civil rights movement(s) and many of us were raised by those people. I myself remember hearing what today would be considered to be extraordinarily racist comments from my parents, just in the general dinner table type conversations. I don't think either of my parents were actually racist, they were kind and giving to anyone who they could help and never chose friends, neighbors or associates by color of skin, etc. .... but they have been known to say some things that sound horrible.

I'm glad we are moving forward in our society!