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My own view - on the original point.
I think that Palin's speech writers new that it would cause, if not real hurt, at least consternation and offence. I think that they see it as playing well to their "core market" to draw criticism from the kind of people that would have been offended.
Even if you like her, it is hard to deny she is a polarising force in politics. I really dont understand personally how she has a following. Bush jr, for all his flaws, had a basic affability about him.
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On the point of "toxic terms" though, surely there are some. The word "nigger" for example... all sorts of questionable and racist views exist on the fringes of the mainstream, but the word itself is utterly toxic.
I think there was another thread when this was being discussed.
Terms like "Paki", "Bengy", "Yid" etc are broadly no different to "nigger" in terms of being derogatory in most senses - but none of them carry the same stigma, either in the UK or US.
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As I believe a commentator brought up recently, all of these people who call Obama "A Kenyan" - it is pretty obvious what they mean. If they called him "nigger" they would be politically finished, if they call him "Kenyan" they are not - but they are saying exactly the same thing when they say it.
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"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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