Peccadillo

Here in the USA, Mr. Bush is attempting to stuff the courts with a Mr. Pickering who is a way off there in right wingmanship.
This Mr. Pickering on CNN the other eve after he was asked about a few of his past actions and letters that are clearly racist defended his views by stating that they were said/done many years ago and were nothing but a "schediasma".

"Schediasma" is Greek---schediasma, -atos ("caprice, something
done off-hand")

The word flowed into Rome and was frequently used by Cicero who was a writer--some say gossip columnist--for some saucy tabloids back then.

Mr. Pickering, Dont attempt to fool us!

Main Entry: pre·tense

Function: noun

1 : a claim made or implied; especially : one not supported by fact
2 a : mere ostentation : PRETENTIOUSNESS b : a pretentious act or
assertion
3 : an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or
quality
4 : professed rather than real intention or purpose : PRETEXT
5 : MAKE-BELIEVE, FICTION
6 : false show : SIMULATION

It was a mere peccadillo.

Peccadillo? Wouldn't that be more strongly associated with the Clinton administration?