A Muslim leader in Oregon is demanding an apology from a state lobbyist who used the term "jihad" in a statement about a political dispute, the Associated Press reports.

Shahriar Ahmed, president of a mosque in Beaverton, said use of the term perpetuates negative stereotypes about Muslims.

"The term 'jihad' here was used intentionally to aggravate the situation," he said in a news conference.

In a July 15 e-mail to about 500 farmers and foresters, the lobbyist wrote that "the Senate Democrats have declared 'JIHAD' against the Republicans" over a pesticide use bill.

Democratic State Sen. Frank Shields called use of the word in that context "racist and religionist." (Fox)

First of all, I think Frank Shields should look up the definition of "religionist." Secondly, all of this P.C. talk is just ridiculous and downright immature. There. I said it...I feel better. Seriously, it's like a bunch of third graders getting in a tiff over being called a name on the playground. I'm not claiming there are no legitimate complaints at times, nor am I advocating wholesale name-calling, but I think it's about time we all grow up a little bit and stop taking ourselves so seriously.

Our world has become so hyper-sensitive that one cannot even open his mouth without offending someone, can we? Wait a minute. See? I did it just then. I suppose it wasn't very very P.C. of me to use the pronoun "his" in that last statement, was it? Sorry N.O.W. (not really). Of course, had I said "her," it would have been a slam on those same women since I would have been claiming that it is only women that are hyper-sensitive. Well, then, of course, had I simply said their mouths, that would have opened an entire floodgate since anyone could insert their own little sub-group into that statement since I, a white, anglo-saxon protestant (intolerant Baptist, no less), would have certainly been silently picking on them. Dang, now I've offended my more liberal Baptist brethren because I have lumped them into the category of intolerant. Then again, my conservative brothers will be offended that I referred to the liberal baptists as "brethren." It was only a figure of speech anyway.

...Just can't win.

Labels: David C. Price