Friends, I received this e-mail last night from a reader of the National Conversation blog. It reminded me of how my words got the great Charlie Sykes in trouble a few months ago. Remember? Check out the latest.

Dear Mr. Harris:

After a long day of yard work, my wife and I went to Culver’s for a quick dinner this evening.  I grabbed the Crossroads Section of the MJS to read while eating.  As we were eating, reading and talking, I pointed out a variety of articles to my wife, and she pointed out some to me.  I saw your list in the Best of the Blogs.  Here is precisely what was said (the specifics are important based on what transpired next):

I told my wife that there was an interesting blurb in the paper.  I noted that you write one of my favorite blogs, that you are a black guy who blogs and who appears on WTMJ, and that I do not know much about your background.  I noted that you are a fairly conservative guy, but that you are an independent thinker.  I then read your list.  My wife responded that the list was great, and she intended to check out your blog.  There was no snickering, no jokes, no inappropriate language and no disrespect.  We moved on to other topics of discussion.

About 10 minutes later, the Culvers’ manager approached our table.  He asked if he enjoyed our meal.  He then told us that a young (+/- 30 years old) black lady who had been sitting at a nearby table reported that we had been using racist language.  I was astounded.

I can only imagine that the “racist language” was your list (perhaps because it was being read by a couple of white people).  Amazing.

I thought you would be interested.

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I apologized to my reader for the trouble I caused for him and his wife. I guess I should start putting a warning label on my future posts.

WARNING! Americans of European descent, who read the writings of James T. Harris aloud, may be called racist and be subjected to hate crime charges from race-holding Americans of African descent.  Read aloud at your own risk!

I wonder which one of my common sense commandments offended the eavesdropper?