Butter Always Rises To The Top

Mel - it's amazing the way the press will bring you up, sing your praises and then tear you to sheds for your transgressions (which we've all done at one time or another!) Think of Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong, Colby Bryant, Michael Vick (the worst in my book for visously killing and abusing dogs)  - all superstars until their bad behavior caught up with them. Then the press reports on it ad nauseam. Just like Martha and many others, I think Paula will to some degree redeem herself, but like all the others, she's  changed her legacy and not in a good way. I think what she did was horrible, but I don't think she's a horrible person. However, we all have to accept the consequences of our behavior. I think many people like to point the finger so they take the focus off themselves. Very thought provoking post!

Well put my friend! We've all been prideful (to a fault), selfish, ignorant, egotistical, and rude. Sometimes on purpose, most often not. I haven't followed the Paula debacle, but you can't escape the photos and headlines. I cringe. I certainly don't condone bad behavior and/or people who are prejudice about others, but I do dislike it when anyone is sensationally dragged through the mud (over and over and over again) in public. Paula lives with her short comings and faults, like all of us live with our own. All of us don't need to be 'buttered' with hers... it won't make it taste any better ;O) Great post!

Mel, Clearly I missed something ... or I missed it all. I don't read the tabloids or watch the negative news feeds. I simply choose not to focus on negative.  I may inadvertently visit there from time to time and quickly leave because for the most part, it serves no good purpose.  Paula Deen must be in the line of fire.

     Quentin Tarantino produces a movie wherein Actor Jamie Foxx uses this word 110 times.   They get Oscars and accolades.   Paula Deen says this word years ago, and is dragged to the Public Square for stoning.   Double Standard, or what?

Mel, I don't think movies carry a double standard   I'd hate to see a chlling effect simply because they use reality based language.

As for Paula Deen, being at gun-point could be viewed as a special circumstance--one in which y'all may act out of character.

That said, I hate her profiting from serving up diabetic speedballs while a diabetic herself.  That bugs me! 

Brian  

I feel like I need to chime in here but first I need to disclaim that I am SOUTHERN born and bred. 

My great granddaddy is from DEEP GA and so was my granddaddy and my mom. 

My granddaddy and his parents were farmers and he told many stories of working hand in hand with what we were raised to call coloreds.  That was before Political correctness said to call them African Americans.

Now I will say that in a culture where we have Haitians, Dominicans, Jamacians, etc, what is more correct?

With that said, if we used the N word, it meant a bar of soap on the tongue.  But yet even today, you hear it being slung around plenty and it is not by Caucasians.

Now, as for Ms Paula, I am with Mel when we must say grace and forgiveness for a slip of the tongue 30 years ago seems rather reasonable. 

I am POLLOCK by birth, but do you know how many dumb pollock jokes I grew up with?  Did I sue anyone?  Do i own any major corporations because someone called me a pollock? 

I was born a pollock and that is just the hand that God dealt me.  I don't go out and sue everyone that makes an insensitive comment about it.

It happens.  We are human.  And as for Paula, her charitable attributes and humane generousity should count for something.

It's not like she pocketed millions from saying one slip of the tongue.  She instead contributed millions from her earnings to many worthy charities and that was not from guilt but from a HUGE DECENT HEART and being a HUMAN.

So for those that find fault in her one HUMAN slip 30 years ago, how about some credit for being HUMAN for the rest of her life and being one of most generous business women on this planet. 

And that from just a pollock with good southern upbringin'

Kevin Tolbert (Adopted from Edvabsky)

You actually put into words how I've been thinking regarding the Paula Dean scandal. I too am not a particular fan of hers - however, to watch a fall from grace is sad to witness. Honestly, it's difficult to know her heart and intentions. However, I'm with you - forgiveness is a sign of humanity - and a recognition that we all can make mistakes. No doubt, her own conscious - and the foolish use of an ugly word will continue to cause personal suffering. ( Therefore, no need for the public lashings) My heart aches for anyone who has to learn the hard way.