Kagen Riding on Injun Time

About a month ago, I learned a new word -- "macaca."

I had never heard it before. I didn't know it was a slur or an offensive word.

Thanks to The Washington Post, days of front page coverage of Sen. George Allen's use of the term raised my consciousness of the inappropriateness of the horrible M-word.

The Left went bonkers over macaca, like it was the worst affront imaginable.

Eleanor Clift declared that Allen's "macaca" remark had destroyed his chances of ever becoming president. It was such a serious offense.

Obviously, no apology could salvage his tattered political career.

Today, I expanded my vocabulary again, sort of.

I had never heard the expression "injun time."

I'm still not sure that I really know what it means.

Democrat Steve Kagen, candidate for Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District, used the phrase at an Aurora Healthcare forum.

Hear Kagen on tape.

From WisPolitics:

Dem 8th CD candidate Steve Kagen apologized today for apparently saying he was on "injun time" to describe his reason for arriving late to a forum.

According to a recording of the remarks, Kagen opened by introducing a staff member.

"I want to thank you for driving me around the district this morning. I really appreciate you getting me here almost on time," he says to laughter. "Our excuse, uh, in Oneida was, well we are on injun time. They don't tell time by the clock. Our excuse here is I'm a doctor and we're never on time."

"Injun time."

Isn't "injun" a derogatory term?

I think most people would recognize it as unflattering.

Kagen not only used an offensive word, he was apparently referring to an offensive stereotype when he used it.

STOP THE WASHINGTON POST PRESSES!!!

We have a racist candidate!!!

We need this splashed on the front page of every publication in the country and leading every news broadcast.

...Christine Mangi, spokeswoman for Kagen opponent John Gard, said the quote was "unfortunate."

"We don’t like to see slurs like this taking place," she said. "In this day and age, we would expect people wouldn’t use words like that."

Kagen is a racist, insensitive buffoon.

So where is the outrage?

It's reserved for Republicans, of course.

Kagen said he was sorry that some people may have been offended.

Here's the statement that Kagen released. I think it's intended to be an apology, even though he doesn't come out and say that he's an offensive oaf.

"I did not mean any harm by my words, and I humbly apologize if I offended anyone. That was not my intent. Instead of words, however, let's talk about actions. I have been a great supporter of Native American issues during this campaign and am proud of the strong relations I have with Native American communities in the 8th Congressional District. John Gard, meanwhile, has repeatedly taken aim at Wisconsin's Native Americans, working to dismantle tribal sovereignty, targeting Indian economic development, and shamelessly using the tribes as a political pawn against the Governor." -Dr. Steve Kagen

So when Kagen is caught on tape making a slur, we're all just supposed to drop it and pretend it didn't happen.

Kagen's Indian remark was one of several "outlandish" statements he's made in the campaign, including a debate line about how he'd personally "take out" a terrorist if he ever encountered one on an airplane, Gard said.

I would call Kagen's statements "outlandish," wouldn't you?

Rather than staging protests to condemn Kagen, Dems and tribal leaders wanted everyone to know that they aren't very bothered by Kagen's remarks.

Several tribal leaders came to Kagen's defense, saying other issues were more important and the expression "Indian time" was not offensive. Use of the term "injun," however, was called derogatory by one tribal leader.

Menominee Tribal Chairwoman Karen Washinawatok said the term "Indian time" is commonly used among Native Americans, whose concept of time traditionally was much different from European settlers.

"It's not at all derogatory... it's the time we were meant to be there," she said. Washinawatok, however, said the word "injun" was derogatory.

Oh, okay. I've got it.

"Injun time" is a problem, but "Indian time" is not at all derogatory.

So it would be acceptable for me to say that an airline runs on "Indian time."

Or, the concert was scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm, but it didn't. It was that darn "Indian time" again.

That works for me. I wouldn't want to offend any Native Americans, but since it's perfectly alright to say "Indian time," I'll be glad to use it often.

Oneida Tribal Chairman Gerald Danforth said "Indian time" was "one of those cliches for why you might be late for an event." Danforth said he thought it was humorous that Kagen had used the term.

"I had to laugh. I didn't give it much more thought than that," Danforth said.

Funny. Really?

REALLY???

I think it's funny that these leaders are focusing on "Indian time" rather than what Kagen actually said, "INJUN TIME."

I would think that would make an enormous difference in terms of how forgiving they want to be.

The National Republican Congressional Committee today blasted Kagen for "his racially insensitive comments" and forwarded a critical press release from a South Dakota Republican congressional candidate, Bruce Whalen. WTMJ-AM talk radio host Charlie Sykes accused Kagen of essentially making a racial slur.

And why would that happen?

BECAUSE KAGEN USED A RACIAL SLUR.

It's on tape. He said "injun."

Why are the tribal officials giving Kagen a pass?

This is why:

Danforth and Washinawatok said there were many more important issues to the tribes than the Kagen remark.

Washinawatok said Kagen had visited the Menominee reservation many times and that she supports his candidacy. Danforth said the Oneida tribe had taken no official position on the congressional race.

Gard's push to give the state Legislature a say in approving Indian gambling compacts was objectionable to Washinawatok. Gard lead role in criticizing tribal gambling deals negotiated by Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle in 2003 also put him at odds with many Wisconsin tribal officials.

It's hard to respect Danforth and Washinawatok.

By going easy on Kagen, they appear extremely hypocritical. Do they want the dignity of Native Americans to be upheld or not? Do they sincerely care?

Do you think that they would react in the same manner if John Gard was caught on tape talking about "injun time"?

How about Mark Green?

What if he picked up on the phrase?

Would that be alright with Danforth and Washinawatok, or would they be on the warpath ready to scalp him?

Oops! Is that offensive?

I'm sorry. Let's pass the peace pipe and let bygones be bygones. Let's talk about what a racist scumbag George Allen is.