Claude Allen, nominee judicial appointment, is under attack for using the word "queer" in 1984. In related news, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is opening hearings on suspending the first amendment to ban Queer Eye for the Straight Guy from American broadcasts because the show's title is offensive to both straight and homosexual citizens.
Similarly, Hillary Clinton, once called someone a "Jew bastard" and should not be allowed to run again for public office. Some would say you've got to sleep in the bed you've made. Others would write a puff piece to defend you.
I was recently bashed on a website recently for a post in which I used the social meanings of words instead of their academic meanings (or at least what the moderator thought was the academic meanings). Hey, people use words. They use them to express meaning. There is a wide range of semantic meanings for most words and they always have to be viewed in context. Some guy used "queer." Big deal. By 1984, the word certainly did not have the sting it held in the early 70's. Here is a big insight for liberals and conservatives. You do not agree! Your worldviews are divergent. You both believe the other side is out to destroy freedom, democracy, indeed the very world! I can think of a lot worse things to call someone than a queer. But if I do, I will be expressing my distaste for the culture the homosexuals represent. It is no different that anyone using the word "fundie" to describe me. Can you even imagine a Senate hearing with an elected official chastising a judicial nominee saying, "Do you understand how some people in America might take your use of this word ‘fundies’ as being negative, to denigrate them, and not respectful?" Ridiculous.
With the most public use of the word "queer" being on placards at gay parades and rallies in the phrase, "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it," the neo-fascist thought police need to get a grip and toughen their skin. The first amendment also protects people who don't agree with queers.