Last week, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was sharply criticized for using the word “thuggishly,” which he apparently said at some point in reference to the illegal and strong-arm tactics being waged by the city transit workers’ union.

As we recall, they went on strike, shutting down all public transit systems, forcing New Yorkers to walk in the freezing winter cold, many missing work, and costing the city a reported $400 million a day. Even the homeless suffered.

Yet, in today’s world ruled by political correctness, there’s no greater cost than the perception of wrongdoing as it relates to offending someone.

As the AP reports:

Four days after the city’s transit strike ended, Mayor Michael Bloomberg was still coming under fire for his use of the word “thuggishly” to describe the actions of the leaders of a union that is mostly minority.

“Michael Bloomberg, don’t be nasty and mean,” attorney Norman Siegel said Monday, standing on the steps of City Hall. “Be positive. Together, we can improve race relations in New York.”

The civil rights attorney noted that more than 70 percent of the Transport Workers Union’s 33,000 members are “of color.” And while he didn’t believe Bloomberg’s use of the word was in itself racist, Siegel said, “The perception out there is that it is racist. And the reaction has enormous racial overtones.”

First, the perception is only “out there” (if it is at all) because Siegel spun it there through his grandstanding and media amplification. Seizing an opportunity of semantics to move the bullseye away from the unions and onto the mayor.

Secondly, there’s an irony to Siegel’s complaint. A subtext, actually. Namely, if the mere use of the word “thuggish” creates a negative implication according to some race, than Bloomberg was only saying what people are thinking any way.

He didn’t define the word. And if a greater meaning (a “perception”) exists, it’s for reasons beyond his simple — and appropriate — use of a term.

What’s next? Will calling bus drivers “lazy and never running on time” constitute racism, too?

In San Francisco, the answer is yes. Ten years ago, there was still debate. Today, everyone just ignores the problem — or drives.

Nothing more thuggish than political correctness.

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