They're words. No more, no less. Get over it.

Here's a crazy thought.

How 'bout we agree that for 30 days following a natural disaster, people aren't allowed to be offended by words?

How 'bout we agree that while child pornography continues to be a growing epidemic, people aren't allowed to be offended by words?

How 'bout we agree that while soldiers are risking their lives a half a world away, people aren't allowed to be offended by words?

How 'bout while the Minnesota Legislature has the audacity to suggest a special session to discuss public financing of three, count 'em three, sports stadiums, people aren't allowed to be offended by words?

How 'bout while Washington refuses to slash the budget and threatens to repeal tax cuts, people aren't allowed to be offended by words?

They're words. Merely words. They cannot hurt you. They may offend you. But it is not your right not to be offended. You are not guaranteed the right to go through life without your own beliefs being challenged by words. If you cannot muster words of your own to counter words that offend or challenge you, that does not give you the right to censor other people's words. If you're so sensitive that mere words affect your ability to function, then you're the type of person who deserves to be offended.

If you are still offended by mere words while people are starving...

If you are still offended by mere words while rapes are occurring...

If you are still offended by mere words while people return to New Orleans and discover all their belongings destroyed...

And for that matter, if you are still offended by mere words while we cling to a chunk of rock hurtling through space with no clue how we got here or why we exist...

If you still have the unmitigated gall to be offended by mere words, let me offer a suggestion: