Is the use of this idiom considered offensive?

[usregimechange]

I recently used a phrase in the process of denouncing a racist comment made by a local conservative. This is part of what I said:

"Anyone notice how a thread about the racist comments made by a local conservative has turned into a post opposition research information about Obama thread? Not that I blame them, it is much easier than calling a spade a spade."

In other words other conservatives on the forum were focusing on Obama and Wright in order to avoid condemning the racist comment that I was denouncing.

It was my understanding that using the word spade as a noun would be a racial slur but that using the idiom "to call a spade a spade" would not be considered offensive. So... do you think the way I used the phrase was offensive?

Thanks...

[psychmommy]

1. perhaps in a different post it wouldn't matter.

but, because of the subject matter i could see the sensitivity. i will never get used to people of non color using the term niggardly. it is too close to the n word. makes me cringe.