I believe HOLY COUNT has a good point here IE not to offend.-for example there may be scotsmen who dont mind being called Jock or Irishmen who dont mind being called Paddy as long as its not meant in any malicious way but there are those who, quite understandably really, might take offence. Thankfully most people are reasonable, but there are those who are oversensitive and then there are those of this ridiculous pc brigade that I'm sure 99% of us think talk a completely different language,ie to paraphrase Victor Meldrew, "complete bo**ocks". I dont see myself as racist and I dont see somebodys sex, colour or nationality as having any bearing on how I might feel about them. As for their politics or religion however, then I think you CAN have a right to comment as these are not innate factors. I think it was Rowan Atkinson who said, with regard to free speach, it is more important to have the right to offend than not to be offended.
jerry