Buck,
Your post was in poor taste, as everyone here knows I have fortunately never been guilty of that offense... (See, I even managed to say that with a straight face! LOL ) I think we have all been guilty of saying insensitive things here- myself very much included... Unfortunately your violation struck some very sensitive nerves... I think that even those most offended have realized that you were not trying to hurt them or their relatives on purpose... you just said something insensitive and it turned out you said it to people that it hurt...

You apoligized, as far as I and most others feel that is the end of it... I certainly dont hold it against you- had you become self rightous or defensive instead of apoligizing I would feel differently... I think the lack of response is due to the fact that it was an unpleasantness we as a group just wanted to pass...

My response (and it seems to be the concensus) is its all forgiven, you have done your pennance- GO FORTH AND SIN NO MORE....

I think those most hurt by your faux pas are willing to forgive and forget, thats why you didnt get a reply... (hell I don't speak for them- they may be on a bus to your town right now to hunt you down like a dog, and thats why they didnt reply)

Once I really screwed up, (yeah I know you are all saying 'just once?!' no I have screwed up many times, but this was particularly bad)

I had a quantum physics class from a german PhD, he was tough- even sadistic... giving homework that took pages and pages to do and often turned out to be a trick question, me and a few others were working late on a homework in the physics lounge... I stupidly made some jokes associating the prof with nazis - there was a german student in the room, and he -justifiably- blew up at me... I still feel guilt for doing that- it was wrong, bigoted and hurtful... had he not been there I guess no one would have been hurt, but the comments were still wrong... I have always regretted that...

We all screw up and do stuff that is hurtful...