Glenn Reynolds, Jeff Jarvis, and others have exchanged many words about Howard Stern, and I've contributed a few myself.

But I want to talk about one word right now.

The infamous "n" word. While not on the FCC's list of seven deadly words, in reality, it is considered far worse. Quite possibly the most taboo word in the English language. (So much so that there is serious discussion of censoring it from dictionaries.)

Many have objected to this, not so much in defense of the word, but because hyperstigmatizing something often tends to empower it.

Here's Patti Smith, in one of rock's classics; Rock N Roll Nigger (1978):

Jimi Hendrix was a nigger.
Jesus Christ and Grandma, too.
Jackson Pollock was a nigger.
Nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger,
nigger, nigger, nigger.

Has something changed since 1978? If so, what?

A regular on the Howard Stern Show is a man named Daniel Carver of the Ku Klux Klan. He calls black people niggers, and I have heard him call Robin a nigger. (She laughed.) Howard uses the word "fag" but in such a way that no gay person with any understanding for the show should feel offended.

However, there are gay activists (often who do not listen to the show) who are very offended. (GLAAD, for example.) As a matter of fact, in Canada, the government has officially declared Howard Stern "homophobic."

Context is everything. (Here's a bit of an explanation -- and here's another.....)

Here's an offensive song of affection.

If you don't like it, move to Canada!

NOTE: I am biased in favor of Howard Stern and I freely admit it. I also think that the best defense is a good offense. (And I LOVE Howard's offensiveness!) There are many people who believe in censorship, who hate the First Amendment, and who've been gunning for Howard Stern for years. While he is doing nothing new (if anything he's grown more tame over the years), I am glad he's there. His presence on the air is a good barometer of our freedom. He's the proverbial canary in the mine. And I will continue to support him, come what may.