When we try to be polite and respond with affectionate names like sweetie and darling, there are a group of people out there that eager to label this as belittling. The fact is you can use a person’s true gender descript like Miss and be far insulting than sweetie. It is not in what you say but more in how you say it. Tones can mean everything and as I remember it, the entire Japanese language is based on tone and they recognize that one word can be used to mean so many different things once we change its sound.  It is funny how this is so clear to my dogs who always understand which “come here” will result in food, hugs and affection or punishment.

Obama Sweetie

Obviously you meant no insult by what you said

But such words were toxic from the upheaval they led

And like an astute professional you must measure the lay

Make more careful checks with what you say

All the vultures are circling waiting to see

Stumbles and slips like bitter and sweetie

With their ears and eyes, camera and mic

Equipped and ready to land that critical byte

Even when apologies and corrections are made for slips

They peck and tear morality and the truth they eclipse

It’s hard to change a system that’s so contorted

Even harder when you words and efforts are being distorted