SOLON … wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:14 AM:… So much bad grammar appears not only in these letters to the editor, but even in professional journalistic writing. I spot it even in the NY Times occasionally. Spoken language on TV is atrocious. So I always appreciate comments by readers, such as by letter writer Marshall Byer today.
On his subject of the subjunctive mood, here is a quick explanation: A verb is in the subjunctive mood when it expresses a condition which is doubtful or not factual. It is most often found in a clause beginning with the word if. It is also found in clauses following a verb that expresses a doubt, a wish, regret, request, demand, or proposal.
I often wonder if they reason people do not understand the subjunctive mood in grammar is that they cannot distinguish wishful thing from reality.
Here are three quick examples:
INCORRECT: “If I was you, I would run.”
CORRECT: “ If I were you, I would run. “
(The verb follows IF and expresses a non-factual condition.)
INCORRECT: “I wish he was able to type faster.”
CORRECT: “I wish he were able to type faster.”
(The second verb is in a clause following a verb expressing a wish. It also suggests a non-factual or doubtful condition.)
INCORRECT: “His requirement is that everyone is computer literate.”
CORRECT: “His requirement is that everyone be computer literate.”
(Subordinate clause follows main clause with a demand.)
The one that drives me bananas when a person tells me “If I was you.” Everytime I hear this, I want to scream back “But you ain’t me! You were never me! ”

ORACLE = wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:35 AM:= How ironic -- or how hypocritical -- of Alan Greenspan to say our current economic crisis is the world’s worst economic problem in the last 50 years. Greenspan, that fake oracle of doublespeak gobbledegook, is the source of much of the problem.
Bernanke does to play the role of doublespeak oracle. He talks in a straight language, is a brighter economist that Greenspan, but is making tragic decisions that will be hell to pay for in the coming decade. Cutting the interest rates so sharply does not address the fundamental problems underlying the collapse of the financial sector, and will breed rampant inflation in coming years.
Just like today, the early 1970s were also a time of accelerated inflation and rising commodities prices. The Fed is now repeating the mistakes it made in the early '70s -- mistakes which ultimately led to a recession. A major difference: We are already in a recession. Admission of a recession by federal officials and government economists normally lags eight months after we have already entered one.
Do you remember Arthur Burns, who was Fed chairman under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford? In the early 1970s, he faced a situation spookily similar to that now confronting Bernanke: Inflation was accelerating. The dollar was dropping. The price of oil, metals, grains and other commodities were soaring. Every economic indicator on the central banker's console screamed for an increase in interest rates. But at the same time, the nation's troubled corporate sector clamored for rate cuts. In 1970, the Penn Central failed, the largest corporate bankruptcy in history. The shock threatened to destroy Penn's lenders, and to wreck many of the new conglomerates assembled in the 1960s to mesmerize Wall Street by buying earnings growth. What to do? Burns chose an expansionary policy. He did what Bernanke is doing now: He cut, and cut, and cut again. The crisis of 1970-71 ended in a mild recession. But that did not end the story. Soon prices were racing at double-digit rates. Milton Friedman warned President Nixon against the "easy money" policy of 1970-71. He told the president: "Do you really want to do that? The only effect of that will be to leave you with a larger inflation if you do get re-elected." Nixon answered, "Well, we'll worry about that after we get re-elected." Nixon was re-elected -- and everybody was soon worrying about inflation, but not Nixon. He was impeached and resigned.
After the impeachment of Nixon, Gerald Ford assumed office as caretaker. I will always remember how Ford dealt with the complex and terrible problem of inflation. He make a major TV address to the nation, in which he pinned a button on his lapel, and suggested all America do the same. The button read “WIN” -- Whip Inflation Now. This was his solution. It did not work, and Jimmy Carter inherited the problem -- just as the next president will after Bush. Our problems have only begun.

Focal Point wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:32 AM:Edward Cooper: Typical Conservative worry wart who uses the same ole well worn tactic of scaring the public with the New Deal, Communism and the unknown. The New Deal assisted in the saving of this country from complete collapse and started it on the road to recovery. Communism has nothing to do with Obama. He mentions it to scare the reader. I prefer the alleged unknown of Obama to the known of the Republican Party.

Wondering Out Loud wrote on Mar 21, 2008 7:09 AM:he US State Department says it has dismissed two workers and disciplined a third for examining Senator Barack Obama's passport files without permission."
Gotta wonder if these guys will get executive privilege and amnesty too.

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 7:19 AM:Edward Cooper asks Obama to "explicitly detail his undisclosed changes now."
Cooper obviously has not listended to any of Obama's speeches or been to his website.
There are extensive specific details for policy proposals, and anyone who says he is not being specific enough has made no effort whatsoever to actualy look for them.
As for Christian ministers spewing hate, I think he needs to look at those who have embraced McCain (Hagee, Robertson) who have a far more strident record of spewing divisive, hateful venom in their sermons.

Vista Granny wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:19 AM:To Solon: I have my own pet peeve. It's reporters saying Mr. So & So has died. Maybe it's because I've studied French, maybe it just makes more sense, but I do believe the proper thing to say is that Mr. So & So died.

Asteroid wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:33 AM:OBAMACAN
wrote on Mar 21, 2008 7:19 AM: This is exactly why I consider this venue and other liberal intellectual vacuums a waste of time. First nothing Pat Robertson has ever said compares with the Anti-American racist rants of Rev Wright. I’m not fully acquainted with Hagee , but do know that he’s refuted accusations that he’s anti-Catholic; something I can’t imagine being a concern for a liberal anyway. But most telling in this crud is this part “I think he needs to look at those who have embraced McCain”. The point is not who embraces McCain or Obama, but who THEY embrace. Obama clearly embraced Rev Wright for twenty years.

Chuck wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:49 AM:>>but I do believe the proper thing to say is that Mr. So & So died.>>>
OK, Saddam Hussein died with a rope around his neck, much to the disgust of liberals

chuck wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:51 AM:>>("Pope calls for peace, denounces Iraq war"). We congratulate the NCT for covering something..>> My guess it the Pope was not talking about Bush. He was talking directly to your friends who strap bombs to their bodies and blow up innocent women and children in market squares, clinics, hospitals and orphanages

Yes Asteroid wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:53 AM:"But most telling in this crud is this part “I think he needs to look at those who have embraced McCain”. The point is not who embraces McCain or Obama, but who THEY embrace. Obama clearly embraced Rev Wright for twenty years." It is certainly telling that a few years ago McBomb DENOUNCED Robertson and his ilk, then he flip-flopped and embraced them. Obama considers Rev Wright a long-time friend and while denouncing his rhetoric still remains true to the friendship. Which person is more honest? Which person is swayed by political desires? Critical thinkers can discern the difference.

Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:12 AM:Since Dave Van Hoomissen, chairman of
the Campaign Against Censorship quotes UN Article 19 on their website, I think he should re-read Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

If your parish leadership favors censorship of pleas for peace, Why would you stay?
I mean.. wouldn't you go somewhere where your pleas would be heard, and listened to?
Pretty obvious, that if they are not going to listen to their leader, why would they ever listen to you, as a parishiner?

Yokozuna to Solon, Vista Granny wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:26 AM:It is well known we all have three levels of vocabularies: Reading, writing, and speaking - reading the largest, then writing, and lastly speaking. I used to be strict on grammar being able to outline all sentences and know what the function of each word (I do remember not recognizing an object of an understood infinitive once). As I get older I thought I was becoming more tolerant and then realized I just really don't give a (enter your own word here). It's a lot easier just to decipher the meaning the communicator is trying convey. Yes, sometimes a wrong or misspelled word can change the meaning. Most times, however, it doesn't matter.
If I am in a bank and some one comes in and says "stick em up" I don't think I would take time to explain they should have said "stick them up". The meaning would clear enough for me.
There are at least two different standards for writing: Casual and professional. Almost anything goes for casual writing. Professional, however, requires a much higher standard and includes business correspondence and documents to be published. One of the recent challenges is derived from word processors whereby it is easy to make changes but for some reason difficult to review easily what corrections should be made while reading it in the computer. I used to give my employees the following hint: Prior to submitting the work print it and then read it aloud. This procedure greatly reduced my having to return documents for corrections.

Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:30 AM:I hear ya, G. Charles Evans. ALL City Coucil clowns give me a chuckle too!

Yeah... How about putting some teeth into the law that says it's illegal to steal shopping carts?

Afraid they will be called racist, they'll fine stores, or mandate they erect a barrier to prevent the theft.

How about arresting those who illegally remove these carts from store property?
Perhaps their punsihment should be walking around the city, picking up the loose carts, and pushing all of them all the way back to the store they belong to? I think that punishment will return stolen property, and teach a valuable lesson.

Crazy Uncle wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:33 AM:Wonder Out Loud no more.
The press is now reporting not only did the two workers breech Obama's passport records, but John McCain's as well.

3D wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:38 AM:I notice that the Faith and Values letters in this morning's print edition have not yet been listed on this morning's Faith and Values website.
Wondering if anyone knows where the link to the Faith and Values letters is (editors?) or should we post our responses here until a link is established?

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 9:56 AM:Asteroid at 8:33 denies the anti-American rants of Robertson and Hagee. Sorry, no go.
Robertson agreed with Falwell that America brought upon herself the 9/11 attacks, and has expressed terrible hate speech against gays, feminists and liberals. Hagee said the Catholic Church is the "Whore of Babylon." How much more explicit did he need to be for you to acknowledge his anti-Catholic bigotry?
Obama explained how he can embrace and accept a good man who he disagrees with on some points. Are you going to tell us that you do not have any respected loved ones that you embrace, even accept guidance from, who have never embarrassed you or made you cringe?
You are grasping at straws because Obama is untouchable on issues or his own character.
The point about who embraces McCain is equally specious. Didn't you see the picture of McCain reaching out to Robertson and EMBRACING him? He did the same for Falwell before his death, and for Hagee, there on stage together, on the occasion of Hagee's endorsement.
What news station do you watch? Oh, that explains it.

86 it wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:10 AM:Asteroid: It does not mean that Obama subscribes to everything that Rev Wright thinks, says and does. That is what the Conservatives what the American people to think. But, Obama has publicly denounced the anti American or hate speech of Rev. Wright. Obama is running for President. The Rev.Wright is not a candidate.

GFN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:29 AM:Oracle, you are a financial guru; what an impressive backround you must have! Your blogs are correct, concise and easy to read. Thank you for your time.

GFN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:33 AM:Glenn Carroll, I totally agree with your article, especially the first sentence, "It is wrong to imply growth is mandated regardless of water supply." Yes, I do agree that people have property rights, but so do the current residents of San Diego...whose property rights are more important than those who don't live here.

GFN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:39 AM:Breaking news: 10:34 am..."WASHINGTON (AP) _ State Department employees inappropriately examined the passport files of Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, a security breach that forced Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to apologize to Obama.
The episodes raised questions as to whether the actions by the Bush administration were politically motivated." My goodness, how low can this administration go? Just when you think there would be some dignity; some sense of right and wrong-at some level-it gets worse. God save America.

Paul wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:40 AM:To Edward Cooper

Obama has a 60 plus page document on his plans-why not actually look for info before saying it doesn't exist. Also, you note Obama's pastor but fail to mention Hegge and Parsley of the McCain team. One insulted Catholicism and the other claimed the US was set up to fight Islam (in spite of the US explicitly rejecting that in the Treaty of Tripoli-another guy who doesn't do his homework). Why not be fair?

Yokozuna wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:20 AM:Contrary to GFN's feelings of idolatry towards Oracle,the self appointed economic expert for this forum, there are others who have a different slant on the continuing saga. Check out the business section of Google News.

Lemme get this straight wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:25 AM:So what we all are supposed to do with people we know well and/or admire is examine everything they have said, pick the very worst or incorrct ones, and thoroughly reject them. In other words, it is a sign of terrible judgment or character to have anything to do with anyone who has a terrible opinion about anything. This is pretty stupid. Or it would be stupid if any of you meant it...of course, you don't mean it at all (none of you live that way). All you mean is "Ooooh, here's something to attack Obama with!"

Yokozuna to "let me get this straight" wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:52 AM:Welcome to politics. For instance, the politicians and their staffs know the public dislikes negative ads but unfortunately they work.

Obamamanic to Edward Cooper wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:59 AM:I guess you don't understand the Christian way. As Christians we are instucted from the very word of God never to speak ill of our leaders. Barak Obama is being obedient to his training in Christianity. The bible says that obedience is better than sacrifice. We must never berate the Man of God. I respect Barak Obama now more than ever!!!! He is standing behind his principles without faltering and I say AMEN!!! I think that is the change he is talking about, need I say more.

Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:37 PM:Well, the new ridership numbers are in from NCTD, and Sprinter ridership is increasing.
They tallied a total of 7,836 passengers on Tuesday. But, according to Tom Lichterman, director of transportation services for the district. They hope to have 11,600 riders daily by the end of the year, so they can meet the 30% self funding by ridership, with the balance made up by 70% worth of sales taxes.
He further said, the Sprinter is meeting it's schedule 98 percent of the time, and that the average passenger trip on the line is 10 miles.
Ah, but we have a problem Houston:
So far, fare inspectors have written 81 warnings to passengers who had no tickets. The transit district estimates 1.1 percent of those riding the train do so without paying. Those Rascally Rabbits.
Bus routes will be cut, so riders will ride the choo-choo.
Also, the NCTD's financial's
projected $4 million budget gap in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
Oops...

to Yokozuna wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:47 PM:You're right about politics, and that means only one thing: enough Americans buy the worst kinds of rumor- and hate-mongering, and too few Americans walk the talk of their displeasure at this stuff. Obama's candidacy so far is an excellent case study since he seems to be intent on doing very little of this kind of thing, and the more his opponents do it, the better they do in the polls. I was going to say that we get the leaders that we deserve, but that's not right. Since I tend not to vote for the slime-throwers, I wind up getting leaders picked by those who love slime-throwing. Can anyone appreciate why this makes me a little skeptical about America? "Linking" McCain with a "black baby", Richards with lesbianism, Obama with Farrakhan, and the rest wins elections via false innuendo that is designed to appeal to the lizard in us all. Maybe Plato was right. Humans aren't up to democratic processes and philosopher kings should rule. Maybe Obama is wrong about having hope for America.

Chris wrote on Mar 21, 2008 12:57 PM:Well there goes Chuck again. The only reason we have suicide bombers is because of our invasion. Our troops are still killing innocent civilians especially with those bombing runs. But Chuck like the rest of his ilk just ignore our attrocities and point the finger at everybody else.

OBAMA MAMA - wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:01 PM: - What is hope? Just a word expressing some ephemeral concept, as Edward Cooper‘s letter today seems to infer? Or is hope a thing of power and reality? We live in an age of cynicism, defeatism, suspicion, mistrust and doubt, in large part all engendered by a failed government that has betrayed the people, led us into disastrous misadventures, failed to lead us out of tragedies and destroyed our wealth and commerce. Cooper’s cynicism is understandable. But when faith in government has failed so miserably, there is always HOPE -- and that is why America has turned to hope, and to a man who speaks so eloquently and convincingly of hope. But if Cooper has lost hope, as many have, perhaps defeatism has captured his soul, and he can see no way out of our quagmire. Most of us in America, although we have had our faith destroyed, still have hope. Even the Bible propounds there are three great forces in life: “Faith, hope and Love -- but the greatest of these is Love.” Hope is a powerful force. It saved many during the Holocaust. It brought slaves in America to freedom. Hope brought our people through the Great Depression. During our history we have been blessed with great leaders, Abraham Lincoln and FDR, who gave us HOPE in our darkest hours. Do not disparage hope. And do not disparage the one person who holds up hope and a true vision for America to restore its reputation and soul.

Chris wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:03 PM:Enough already on all this gramer nonsense. If it sounds somewhat right let it go. I don't give a damn about verbs, adverbs,nouns, participles or a gerund. I don't even know what they are and don't care. Does the person get their message accross. That is all that matters. I have to wonder about these people who spend their time worrying about all this nonsense as well as taking up column inches with their nonsensical letters.

SOLON ... wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:17 PM:… Yes, Vista Granny (8:19 AM), I was taught as you. Keep language direct and simple. My 8th grade teacher hammered into my head is that people do not “get married”. One simply “marries”. She asked “If you say ‘get married’, please tell me the meaning of the word ‘get’. She went on about the word ‘get’. Can one not simply marry?

Surfer wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:31 PM:-] wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:49 AM: Chuckie.
Me and my five liberals do not concur. We agree with the hanging of Sad H. Our only disagreement is that we believe it should have been in public at high noon. There is not enough liberals of any consequence. So why would you care what they think and why are you their spokes person? Yo Dude.

To 86 it wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:33 PM:Wow....that was good dooode, very heavy. Know where I can get some?

Surfer wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:34 PM:wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:51 AM: You think, Chuckie? You did not even read what Il Papa had to say. Bogus.

Cluck wrote on Mar 21, 2008 1:50 PM:Asteroid is a very befitting name; what planet are you from? You need to do some research about the good reverend Pat Robertson. So completley off base it's hard to say where to start. And typical of the Conservative media they don't play the whole sound bite of Wright's passage. Let's be clear, so the silly little conservatives don't start foaming at the mouth, Wright should be held accountable for the things he says. But the full clip when he says GD America goes on tho say, if America thinks she is God then God will condemn her. He's talking about blasphemy. When one attaches God's name to their agenda this is blasphemy. This is using the Lord's name in vain. This is a Commandment. You know, one of the 10. This administration attaches the name of God to everything it does. And the mcchurch going so called christians don't know, don't care or don't understand this. They are too busy napping or digesting their combo meal when sitting in the pew to actually be listening and or absorbing the message. Remember folks going to church makes you about as much of a christian as taking your car to the garage makes you a mechanic. Christianity is a beautiful religion. Too bad the last real Christian died on the cross.

SOLON … wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:05 PM:… Yes, Asteroid … let us now concentrate, not on Rev. Wright, whom Sen. Obama has embraced, but whose most abrasive remarks Obama has both renounced and rejected. Let us rather, concentrate on the bigoted “reverends” who have not only embraced McCain, but whom McCain has in return embraced warmly. These “reverends” include John Hagee, Pat Robertson and the now dead Jerry Falwell. I have naught good to say about this dead man, whom McCain embraced in his last years.

McCain, was invited to speak at the graduation ceremonies for 2,500 students of Liberty University a high-profile appearance. They greeting each other warmly, drawing applause from the spirited audience. With Falwell at his side, McCain offered a forceful defense of the Bush War, telling graduating students at Liberty University that victory there was crucial to world security. He really, truly believes this crap. There were over 50 reporters there that day, so the event was widely covered.
Let us not forget that just two days after 9/11 television evangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, two of the most prominent radical hate voices of the religious right, said liberal civil liberties groups, feminists, homosexuals and abortion rights supporters bear partial responsibility for the Tuesday terrorist attacks because their actions have turned God's anger against America. These were Falwell’s exact words as he appeared on CBN QUOTE: "God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve."
Robertson, ditto head, chimed in QUOTE "Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror. We haven't even begun to see what they can do to the major population."
These comments went out over the Christian Broadcasting Network, so they are documented.
Yes, these are the “reverends” who not only endorsed John McCain, but worse, whom McCain warmly embraced in return. It slams the mind why McCain embraces men who hate America and its people.

GFN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:11 PM:Yokozuna...hmmm...checked out the Goog and it is one-day good news. You must understand that I'm all for good news as I am heavily invested, however, I do not trust an economy built on debt, especially with record debt at every governmental level. When you factor in the hundreds of billions of additional debt that the government is throwing around in the financial markets and Iraq, then the red flags are up. The government and the market leaders always see the bright side; as Oracle said, "Admission of a recession by federal officials and government economists normally lags eight months after we have already entered one."; yeah, and the definition of a recession is a 6 month downturn. One good day; let's hope it continues...

SOLON … wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:21 PM:… Grammarian backslider … Yokosuka (9:26 AM) dismisses the fundamental function of grammar, which is to give clarity and universality to communication. There are indeed three levels of vocabularies, as you state, but some very effective communicators speak in nearly flawless grammar. One was the recently deceased William F. Buckley, whose spoken grammar was nearly flawless. He carried a deeply flawed message, but he communicated precisely his thoughts. Another is Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whose spoken grammar and sentence structure are impeccable. The antithesis of such speech, is of course, George W. Bush. His hilarious Bushisms make him the butt of many jokes. His meaning is often vague and confusing, required audiences to depend more on his body language than his vocal language. Our written and spoken grammar has deteriorated in the media as our educational system has likewise deteriorated. I do not dismiss such slovenly speech, especially in the media.

Karl wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:27 PM:Chris @ 1:03 PM: Yeehaa, I finally agree 100% with Chris.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:31 PM:To Oracle: Good post on the state of the economy although I agree with Yokozuna that there are a myriad of opinions on the matter. Yesterday, I attended a Webinar on the Outlook for the Economy by Dr. Peter Linneman (Wharton). He refers to our current state as a flat spot but predicts we have a 50 percent chance of going into a recession. He sites capital market dislocation caused by federal rate changes. The rate changes caused long-term institutional investors, who were overly leveraged, to liquidate assets. I don't claim to understand all the nuances of macro economics, but he did say something I believe is spot on. He said the market will self correct within 18 to 24 months if there is not a political over reaction to the problem. And that, of course, is our biggest risk going forward.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:53 PM:Solon, et.el. The beauty of the English language is its ability to change and adapt to the times. Who would have known how to "Google" something a decade ago. I'm a constant monitor of style. I want to know things such as: do we still capitalize Web? Is Web site one word or two? It's a matter of changes in accepted style. My favorite source is The Associated Press Style Book and Libel Manual, while my better half prefers the Chicago Style book. You say tomato, I say… Anyway, Solon, enjoy the changes. New words make life more interesting and communicating is the key to our future. Cheers, C-1.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 2:54 PM:To Cluck: Word!

SOLON … wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:11 PM:… One should not correct the grammar of another person unless the person’s meaning is unclear. One does not want to appear pedantic. I have always have great respect, however, for those individuals who use proper grammar. One of my favorite is the late humorist columnist, William Safire, who invented the term “Fumblerules” to poke fun at those ignorant of grammar poking correcting others even less informed.
Two of his fumble rules were:
(1) Remember to never split an infinitive, and (2) A preposition is something never to end a sentence with.
Nobody seems to worry any more about split infinitives, but I once heard Archbishop Desmond Tutu speaking, deeply engaged in a passionate subject, who he suddenly stopped … and frowned. The he spoke QUOTE: “I can’t believe I just split my infinitive. I hate split infinitives.” He looked embarrassed, but regained his demeanor and continued.
I have a favorite story to tell about a famous politician’s wife who went to great pains not to end [NOT: “to not end”] her sentence with a proposition. Another time.

SOLON ... wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:29 PM:… Concerned -1 (2:53 PM) states the most fundamental characteristic of language: Language is dynamic, always changing, adding and deleting words. If a language does not change, it will eventually die. There is a prodigious explosion of new words being added because of the exploding world of technology. Google, for example, can be a noun, verb or even an adjective. And just two years ago it was required to capitalize the word Internet. Now internet is acceptable. Style, however, is something else. I still love the style of the King James Version, even with its inaccurate translations. Thanks for giving your favorite sources, The Associated Press Style Book and Libel Manual. I, too, like the Chicago Style Book.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:54 PM:Solon, my first style book was United Press International (UPI). Alas, another victim of progress! For awhile, I collected style books, but they seem to grow legs, if you know what I mean. Of course, no desk should be without Elements of Style (Strunk, with E.B White). Also, a good dictionary is part of my arsenal. I prefer Merriam Webster Collegiate Edition. Now, if we could just get Chris and Chuck to utilize a couple of these, we might have an even more interesting forum...maybe not!

Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 3:59 PM:Obamacan: I understand that Rev. Wright is “unavailable for comment,” to the media, which certainly wishes to speak with him Apparently, Rev. Wright is on a cruise – which seems incongruous for someone so oppressed by the White Man. My question is, is the “cruise” paid for by the Obama campaign, and will it last past November?

Oh, Reardon @ 3:59 wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:43 PM:What an outlandish post. A man spends 20+ years giving sermons in the confines of his church. He finds that someone has gone through recordings of them and found a set of clips that are "hateful" and put them on tv 24/7. He finds they are being used to trash a spiritual mentee of his, as though Obama was somehow responsible for these utterances. And you are wondering why he doesn't graciously volunteer to go before the circus cameras to be grilled, the only purpose being to see if anything else can be squeezed out of him that might hurt his "nephew"? Sorry, but last time I looked, Wright wasn't running for anything and owes no one a thing. If anything, whatever anger he harbors is newly justified. But your other implication is that if he's so angry about racism in America, how come he can afford a cruise, as if this was some hypocrisy. Absurd. You really believe that if someone makes some money or is successful (especially, as in his case, within the black community) that he therefore gives up his right to comment on American history or society? Give me a break. Do you similarly rag on any preacher who, in sermons, may discount the material world (or make a cry for the homeless and hungry) while making a nice living from it? Didn't think so. Puh-lease.

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 4:56 PM:Reardon at 3:59 speculates about the status of the vacationing Rev. Wright.
Rev. Wright has recently retired and is doing the things that retirees do, unless Mr. Reardon thinks that the descendants of Africans are less entitled to such perquisites.
As Sen. Obama noted in his amazing speech this week (it is only 37 minutes long, I suggest that those who have only seen brief news clips join the 2-1/2 million who have watched it on YouTube), the Rev. Wright is a well-educated, successful community leader, who interacted well with people and communities of all backgrounds. Someone felt compelled to scour years and years of his videotaped sermons and was able to compile four clips where he got a bit carried away, speaking without notes.
Sure, he went too far. Obama did not flinch from a vigorous, thorough denunciation of those comments, point by point, which takes up almost a third of the speech. He also noted the man's many accomplishments and close, valued friendship, and I think it is worthy that he didn't do like so many politicians and throw a long-time friend under the bus when it would have been politically expedient to do so. Obama spoke from the heart, and he spoke with candor and rare honesty, the way "straight-talkin'" John McBush used to do before he discovered that flip-flopping and double-speak go a lot further when running to represent the Republican side. If you haven't seen the whole thing, don't try to guess at what wasn't included in the news clips.
Obama's opponents, both Democrat and Republican, are just jealous 'cuz they don't have anything to compare.

Alf wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:18 PM:Well, "SOLON …" at 3:11PM, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put. One of the more oft repeated split infinitives is from "Star Trek", "to boldly go" instead of the more grammatically correct "to go boldly". Far too many people making comments do not know or care to use your and you're or their, there and they're properly. Regards, Alf.

Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 5:47 PM:You said it yourself.. "OBAMACANT"
@4:56 PM:
"...he got a bit carried away, ...he went too far."
Thanks, again.

Chris wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:01 PM:You know when I read something that someone else writes I try to pay attention to what they are saying. But we have people like Concerned-1 who only care about sentence structure and just ignore the message. There are a lot of people like that who just ignore the message and concentrate on minusha.

Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:05 PM:Oh, Reardon (Whomever that may be) and OBAMACAN represent the True Believer -- and nothing will shake their faith (sic). However, there are several points to be made -- one is that the site that broke this Rev. Wright story tells us that much more is to come. The second is that there are not sufficient Democrats or Republicans, Conservatives or Liberals to win a national election without scads of independents. Independents are fleeing the Obama voting block like lemmings according to every poll, and with more to come it is not looking peachy keen in the Obama camp.

Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:08 PM:Oh, come one.. "Oh, Reardon @ 3:59"
@4:43 PM! How did you say that again?.. oh yes... Puh-lease!!!
"...found a set of clips that are "hateful"..."
Is that reverend not responsible for what his coming out of his mouth?
And is not Obamaman responsible for sitting in his pew for the last 20 years? Taking in.. all that nonsense?
Perhaps, your not able to grasp the finer points of Black Liberation Theology, as taught to reverend Jeremiah Wright? His mentor? James Hal Cone, who taught this theology to Wright, and Wright then preached it to Obamaman.
Here's just a little James Cone:
"Black theology cannot accept a view of God which does not represent God as being for oppressed blacks and thus against white oppressors. Living in a world of white oppressors, blacks have no time for a neutral God. The brutalities are too great and the pain too severe, and this means we must know where God is and what God is doing in the revolution. There is no use for a God who loves white oppressors the same as oppressed blacks. We have had too much of white love, the love that tells blacks to turn the other cheek and go the second mile. What we need is the divine love as expressed in black power, which is the power of blacks to destroy their oppressors, here and now, by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject God's love."
Or do you like this quote?
"While it is true that blacks do hate whites, black hatred is not racism."
Doesn't sound like Martin Luther King to me, you? Any words of Jesus thrown in there? I don't see any.

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:13 PM:Special appreciation to Ron at 5:47 p.m., for providing the perfect example of exactly how conservatives operate.
They clip a few words out of context, change the meaning, distort the name they are responding to so as to maximize personal ridicule rather than engaging on serious, substantive issues.
This is modern conservatism. Thank you, Ron.
The American people are tired of the politics of division.
The American people will no longer sucker for two-faced flip-flopping politicians who play games.
Ron, Bush and McCain represent the politics of the past.
Obama represents the politics of bringing us together.
Obama represents the politics of hope - in an audacious way, of course.

OBAMA MAMA - wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:39 PM:- Dear Reardon -- I understand that the press wants to speak to Jerry Falwell but he, too, is on a cruise, but nobody knows which way. My question: Is John McCain paying for Falwell’s cruise. Are you in touch with Falwell?

Tony wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:54 PM:In a newspaper that prides itself on publishing the written word, I can see why proper use of the language is so important to the readers.

Again, Ron wrote on Mar 21, 2008 6:58 PM:Great comeback. Yep, in over 20 years' sermonizing, they found a few clips worthy of the fox news slime machine. I bet we could find a whole lot more of your posts in the last month that went too far. And then hope that no one who ever said, "Good post, Ron" ever runs for any office. And let's not forget that it's Obama, not Wright, who is the candidate, though I think you want to blur them into one person. No, it's Obama, the same Obama who clearly disagreed with those of Wright's comments that "went too far". So, um, Ron: what beef have you left? Pathetic.

hardtack wrote on Mar 21, 2008 7:35 PM:As regards ORACLE @ 1:35 AM: What Greenspan says may be �hypocritical� (or not), but it�s true. Never-the-less, �Oracle� is right to call our attention to a serious concern.

It�s been suggested by some very intelligent non-partisan intellectuals that government spends most of it�s time correcting the problems that government created. With that in mind, it seems the source of the problem that �Oracle� now raises, may reside, moreover, in �The Fed� itself and � God forbid I suggest it � the person, and/or political philosophy that initiated the Federal Reserve system, in the first place.

Isn�t the fundamental purpose of the Federal Reserve System to allow those in power to create money out of thin air, and thus to finance their deficit spending / re-election schemes � whether they be war or welfare?

Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:07 PM:Oh, Reardon (Whomever that may be) and OBAMACAN represent the True Believer -- and nothing will shake their faith 9sic). However, there are several points to be made -- one is that the site that broke this story tells us that much more is to come. The second is that there are not sufficient Democrats or Republicans, Conservatives or Liberals to win a national election without scads of independents. Independents are fleeing the Obama voting block like lemmings, according to every poll, and with more to come it is not looking peachy keen in the Obama camp.

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:33 PM:There goes Reardon again (8:07 p.m.).
Ridicule and innuendo.
That is all you have.
No issues. No substance.
Thank you for this affirmation!
Hint: you are never going to vote for Obama and he knows this.
He is not addressing his remarks to you.
He is speaking to those who are able to listen, understand and respond.
You are out of the loop!
Your comments may make you feel better, but they only reinforce those who might be receptive.
Again, thanks.

Oh, Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 8:50 PM:I am not particularly an Obama supporter, as a matter of fact. I'm addressing your form of "political" discussion for what it is, not who the candidate is. That's exactly the point that you guys don't want to understand because politics to you is only about the ends (winning), never the means. And I think you're right about this costing Obama votes. Anytime a candidate has ever stood in front of the American people and talked in a way that showed off his intellect, offering clear explanation instead of name-calling and sloganeering, he has sunk. Same here. The reason politics is so slimy and issue-free is because you guys insist that it works. Congratulations.

Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 10:07 PM:Obamacan and Oh, Reardon spend a lot of printer's ink addressing me without addressing the stunning poll number drop that Obama has among independents. I am not running for public office, and neither of those Bloggers' names are on my paychecks, so their opinions of me, or my posts are pointless -- but they might address the elephant in the room.

Oh, Reardon wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:31 PM:On the contrary, I believe that I addressed both the drop in the poll numbers and your posts. And called the elephant by its name. Which is dumb, slime politics. I even congratulated you. Your proud work is done. Again, congratulations.

SOLON ... wrote on Mar 21, 2008 11:36 PM:… Alf, the Star Trek split infinitive is probably the most famous of all time. Thanks for remembering it.
Here is my split-infinitive story: Most older folks remember Richard Nixon’s Attorney General, John Mitchell, primarily because he was the first US Atty General ever convicted of illegal activities and imprisoned. Shortly after assuming his duties as Atty Gen., he and his wife, Martha, were invited to a Tux and evening gown upper-crust society affair in D.C. Now Martha, a kind of roughhewn, plain spoken woman from Arkansas was very enthused to go to her first ever such affair. She mingled and mixed, introducing herself. At one point she approached another woman and asked her “You look so familiar. Where do I know you from?”
The haughty woman raised her nose and replied, “I sure I don’t anyone who a sentence with a preposition!”
Quick wittedly, Martha Mitchell apologized “I am so sorry, madam. Let me rephrase: Where do I know you from, bi--h!”
That story made the gossip columns.

Old-fashioned wrote on Mar 22, 2008 3:40 AM:I feel it regrettable that the use of proper grammar is now considered to be behind-the-times. I was raised in the 'old school' and cringe when I see my own mistakes in print/blog. I compare the use of poor grammar to the scratching of fingernails on a blackboard. Please feel free to correct my mistakes. My mother was an English- as-a-second-language learner so that could be a reason for my hyper-sensitivity on this subject. OK, now I'm becoming so paranoid that I fear writing anything! LOL!

OBAMACAN wrote on Mar 22, 2008 5:54 AM:Ron at 6:08 p.m. outdoes even himself, copying and pasting one paragraph from the extensive writings of a theologian that doesn't happen to include the word "Jesus" and therefore insinuating that the guy never mentioned Jesus when, in fact, the opposite is true.
In order to understand race in America, one does need to understand the tensions, pressures, injustices and anger out of which Black Liberation Theology was developed - as an alternative for the many blacks that were leaving Christianity altogether for Islam or Judaism.
Black Liberation Theology was very much Jesus-centered, notwithstanding Ron's distortions, focusing on his message of uplifting the oppressed and helping the "least of these" in contrast with white evangelicalism that emphasized the letters of Paul, including passages used to justify slavery and subordinate women.
One can point out its flaws and respectfully disagree, as Obama explicitly does, but it is truly disingenuous to paint a factually-inaccurate picture of what Black Liberation Theology is.