Hypocrisy, Thy Name is Sweetie.

First we found out that Barack Obama is a hate-speech loving racist, and now it looks like he's a sexist pig, too. I'm confused; is this the Democrats messianic candidate for President or just another misogynistic rapper in a suit and tie? Apparently the press can't make up their mind either. Just imagine if John Edwards had called a female reporter "sweetie" and tell me if you think the press reports would have read like these:

...raised the question of when, if ever, such terms may be used appropriately with people with whom one is not intimately involved. The formal answer is never. But, given the increasingly loose language tossed around by Americans, the informal answer is sometimes—depending on such factors as time, place, context and inflection, to name just a few. For instance, Southerners so routinely sprinkle "sugar," "darlin'," and "honey" on conversations with strangers that they would be shocked if offense were taken.
- Chicago Tribune -

Addressing someone as "sweetie" isn't necessarily sexist, as any diner patron can attest; it can easily be a term of endearment, depending on whether or not it's welcome.
- Newsweek -

Hmmmmm...so the party of the elite intellectuals now finds the language of the Southern greasy-spoon diner acceptable? It's heartwarming to see the hillbillies and hicks unknowingly saving the bacon of the latte set. Burnt coffee and day old fritters for everyone, sweetie!