what is wrong with people?

I was reading the backstory of the Sen. Allen debacle over at the Washington Post and I can’t even begin to fathom a Senator calling someone ‘macaca’. I’d never even heard the word used as a slur, although true, I generally don’t make a point of knowing all the happening racial slurs. The whole situtation is surreal, because why would he do that- as a public official, giving a public speech- which was being taped- TWICE? What planet are you from where it’s copacetic to use racial slurs you total and complete embarassment of a human being? And sure, apologize. Apologize for something that, much like most of the 21st century so far, should not have ever happened.
I dislike the world.