Language substitution and Br'er Rabbit

In the US (and perhaps in Canada, too -- I don't know), the term "tar baby" has a racist history. I didn't always know this, but I seem to learn faster than, say, Republicans. Its non-racist connotation is sometimes a useful thing to describe: a situation that once you've gotten involved with it, it's next to impossible to extricate yourself. Is there a less problematic metaphor to use in that case?