We can all be forgiven, except for Paula Dean

It is impossible to have listened to the news lately and not heard about the evil Paula Dean. She admitted to using the "N" word close to 30 years ago, and now half the US, or so it seems, wants to condemn her to hell for it. Her show was canceled and she has been kicked off of TV. Walmart and Target have quit selling her books. Pretty harsh. Especially if you read the details.

  Paula Dean had been robbed and held at gunpoint. In her defense, she was very shaken up, most likely angry, and scared. She used the word to describe her attacker. No one would have ever known about it, but she is being sued by some money grabbing, greedy chick, who accused her of using the word against her. Under oath, Paula denied using it then, but admitted to using it back when she was attacked close to 30 years ago. Come on, people! This is overkill. The woman apologized, and saying that word close to 30 years ago does not warrant what she has gotten. No way.

  I know I said that word before, when I was a kid or teenager. Do I deserve to be tarred and feathered, or whatever punishment I should get since I don't have a TV show or published books? The vast majority of Americans have done worse than that. Saying that word isn't a sin. It is wrong, and should not be used, but not a sin, and we all have sinned. This should be a case of let him who is without sin, cast the first stone.

  Ironically, the same stores that quit selling her books, sell all kinds of music that the word is used in. Seems hypocritical to trash Paula, and not them, doesn't it? And a white man, Quentin Tarantino, produced the movie "Django Unchained", which has multiple uses of the word in it.... and Walmart and Target sell it. And the same producer dropped the word at the Golden Globes, yet Walmart and Target is not pulling his movie...... why? Why be so harsh to Paula Dean and not to this producer?

  For the record, I have never watched Paula, never bought one of her books, never even cooked one of her recipes. I am just disgusted at the reactions of something she said so long ago, something she has apologized for, and disgusted at the double standard. A movie using the word multiple times is fine, and the producer saying the word is fine, but if you're Paula Dean, admitting to using the word close to 30 years ago, in the aftermath of being held at gunpoint, your actions are unforgiveable and you must be punished harshly and forever. Makes me want to buy one of her cookbooks in support. Maybe I will.