Political correctness is a sickness spreading through every aspect of life quicker than the swine flu, but now even the swine flu has become a victim of this political correctness run amuck.

An Israeli health official has stated the swine flu should be called the Mexican flu because the reference to pigs is offensive to both Jews and Muslims. Some Jewish and Muslim teachings consider pigs unclean and forbid the eating of pork products. That's all well and good, but now the Mexicans are offended, and for good reason. Apparently, the virus was first identified in the United States, and some scientists say there is nothing about this flu that makes it Mexican other than the similarities in symptoms to drinking tap water from Tiajuana.

Throw in the fact the U.S. government says the swine flu has absolutely nothing to do with pork products, and you start to wonder who came up with the name in the first place. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is begging the press and anyone listening to call the virus its scientific name, H1N1. That really rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

To his credit, Secretary Vilsack isn't worried so much about offending Jews, Muslims, or Mexicans, as he is worried about offending the agricultural industry. Political correctness isn't his problem. It's commerce.

American pork products are already taking a hit. According to Fox News, as of Tuesday, April 28, more than ten countries placed restrictions on pork products imported from the United States. I guess H1N1 won't offend anyone because it sounds more like seating at a football stadium than a virus. This is one time even Maurice Bessinger might become a little politically correct.

No man will ever go to the trouble of saying, "Man, I feel like crud…I think I've got the H1N1" because he's liable to get the response, "Dude, why do you feel bad? Those are great seats!" I suggest we call it the Southern Christian White Male flu or redneck flu for short, because that's the only group of people left on earth who it's apparently politically correct to offend. Who cares where this flu came from? Southern white Christian men (of which I am one) are apparently to blame for most of the world's ills anyway…why should we skirt this nasty little bug?

The Jews and Muslims would finally agree on something. Mexicans would be happy, and pig farmers wouldn't have to worry. Local supermarkets might feel sorry for Mr. Bessinger and this injustice brought upon him. They may even let his fantastic sauces back on the shelves due to his suffering at the hands of some thoughtless flu- naming doctor.

As for we Southern white Christian men, we'll be OK. As long as we can still get our Big Joes and hushpuppies, we won't care what sickness we've been credited with. At least this time, we'll get an ice- cold cup of homemade lemonade to swallow with our pride.