veronica_rich, you might be interested to read this article (http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2010/01/watch-your-mouth-part-2-reappropriation.html) about politically correct language and shifting definitions. What's the point of using language that offends people, whether rightly or not? May as well use words that haven't grown into new derogatory meanings and not hurt people.

logansrogue, I totally agree with everything you wrote above! I was also hopeful but not expecting improvements from Gillard, but I'm still pretty disappointed.