Be careful with words--learning from Sotomayor

I watched the Confirmation hearings today and was intrigued with Sotomayers comments that the choice of her words wasn't just right. I so understand that. As a speaker I agonize over that all the time. Sotomayor said one thing about being a Latino and meant another thing.... We really need to take a step back and give people a break. I worry all the time that I will use the wrong word or words and that people will be offended. I do realize that you can't take back what you have said but I also know we should be able to explain what we meant..... Cant we all be a little bit more forgiving???