Dealing with Evolving Language

January 30, 2022

 

There was a letter in the Miss Manners column yesterday, wherein a reader asked Miss M. to remind hosts to leave plungers near the toilet, so that guests didn’t have to rummage around in closets or go out and seek out the host. (Leaving me with several questions, but that’s beside the point.)

Miss Manners replied with one word: “Deal.”

I thought that the economical answer was funny. A younger person said, “Yeah, but I think the guest has a point.” I was a bit surprised that she thought Miss Manners was disagreeing with the reader; then I realized that, where I was interpreting Miss M’s answer as, “It’s a deal,” the other person was interpreting it as, “Deal with it,” which is a maxim often used these days.

 

Navigating the evolution of language can be tricky.

  

Update to "An Odd Direction..."

In case you only get blog updates by email, instead of by looking at the actual posts, here is an update I posted.

January 23, 2022

As I re-read the column, I see that the author did make a fair point about the president being urged to name an expert to help counter misinformation about the virus, with no action being taken. I agree with her that that was a big mis-step.

Body of Protest

January 23, 2022

 

I read an article yesterday about scientists experimenting with transplanting pig organs to human recipients.

The experiment involved transplanting an organ into a living, but brain-dead human, whose relatives had consented to the procedure. It may pave the way for future experimentation.

 

Considering all of the past high-profile demonstrations, by people unrelated to the patients, about removing brain-dead people from life support, I wonder how long it will be before the protesting about this begins.

 

  

An Odd Direction to Point the Finger

January 22, 2022

There was a column in the Post-Dispatch by a woman who gave President Biden low marks for not successfully dealing with the pandemic—never mind that every time he tries to make people get vaccinated or wear masks, he gets stymied.

 

Blaming the president for people’s refusal to help conquer the pandemic

Is like refusing to send your kid to school, 

And then blaming the teacher because s/he doesn’t learn anything.

January 23, 2022

As I re-read the column, I see that the author did make a fair point about the president being urged to name an expert to help counter misinformation about the virus, with no action being taken. I agree with her that that was a big mis-step.

 

 

What's Old Is New

January 22, 2022

 

A few weeks ago, I read an article that showcased this year’s “In” color for interior decorating.

 

What a relief! It’s the same color as the walls I have steadfastly not repainted since I moved in 6 years ago.

 

Air Traffic Control

January 21, 2022

 

After reading about another disruptive passenger on an airplane, I’ve started wondering when the flight crews are going to be supplied with tasers.

 

I Need to Balance My Diet

January 15, 2022

 

It’s too bad I can’t find decent fast-food French fries anymore.

Then, on weekends, I could subsist on French fries and chocolate, 

Instead of just chocolate.

Fail, Columbia

 January 12, 2022

 

The curators of the University of Missouri system, whose flagship school is in Columbia, don’t believe that masks help stop the spread of COVID; so they overruled the request of the system’s president to enforce mask mandates in buildings.

UM Columbia is the same school that hired Josh Hawley as a Constitutional Law professor.

So far, the school’s decision-makers are failing at Science and Law.

 

Students looking for a solid education might want to go elsewhere.

Where Are the Credulous Russians?

January 12, 2022

Russia has been able to help shape the U.S.'s destiny by interfering with elections and spreading other misinformation. 

Now they're getting ready to start taking over Europe. Other countries are trying to dissuade them with diplomacy, and threats of sanctions. If things get really dire, they may even try thoughts and prayers.

It would be swell if we could use disinformation against Russia, for a change. If Russians don't actually believe that Vladimir Putin eats babies, maybe they'd believe that taxes are going to rise to 90%; or that President Putin will conscript the children of Russian mobsters - or even the mobsters themselves - to serve in the war he's about to start. Or that he is deliberately underplaying the effects of coronavirus, and limiting vaccines, to eliminate groups of people he doesn't like.

Do you suppose any Russian citizens would fall for it and try to undermine him?

Of course, it's hard to gain traction against a guy who simply arranges for people he doesn't like to be poisoned.

New question: In a face-off between the Russian mob and Vladimir Putin, who would win?

(Sorry, my mind wandered from the original point of the post.)

A Manageable "Messiah"

December 26, 2021

 

When I was running errands today, I heard a song that could have been called “Highlights from ‘The Messiah,’” or “Messiah Lite”. It went through the cycle, taking the first lines of some of the songs, shearing them of all but one or two repetitions, and had that bad boy finished in 2 minutes and 30 seconds flat.

I loved it.

 

Thoughts and Prayers Redux

 

January 7, 2022

 

I’ve asked the elders at church to reconsider their mask-optional policy. I pointed out that health care workers are still overwhelmed, and that the latest COVID surge isn’t helping. They will consider it at their next meeting.

 I hope that they do reinstate the mask policy. It will be so much less embarrassing than praying,

“Lord, watch over our health care workers, whom we are doing nothing to protect, as they battle exhaustion and depression while caring for COVID victims.

“And Lord, protect those whose organ transplants and other necessary surgeries are being postponed because hospital resources are depleted from caring for COVID victims. Give them hope and pain medication while they wait for the healing processes that are being denied them.

“We know that we are admonished to care for others as Christ has cared for us; but, rather than take a simple step to help slow the scourge of COVID and ease the suffering of others, we’re going to let You handle this one on Your own. We trust in You, Lord.

 

Amen” 

The first and last paragraphs apply to teachers and students as well. These groups are also being put at serious risk by the anti-mask sentiment and policies that have plagued us since the beginning of the pandemic.

 

Cutting to the Heart of the Matter

January 2, 2022

Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker states that, in response to tougher abortion laws, more men are opting to have vasectomies. They say it’s an act of support for women who are being told what to do with their bodies.

She says that it’s because, if abortions are harder to get, more men will be on the hook for child-rearing.

We don’t see eye-to-eye a lot of the time, but she may be on to something.

On the other hand, there has been a “World Vasectomy Day” since 2012, so maybe not.

But maybe–just maybe–she is.

Not the BEST Defense I've Ever Heard...

January 2, 2022

Britain’s Prince Andrew states categorically that he did NOT force an underage girl to have sex with him many years ago;

And also that he’s shielded (for NOT forcing her to have sex?) by a confidentiality agreement the girl signed with Jeffrey Epstein, who arranged the (non?) encounter.

Backup Plan

January 1, 2022

 

Watched the Rose Parade this morning.

 

If the World Seed Bank ever fails, they can always dig up the floats and see what they can salvage from them. 

Might Need Some Editing

January 1, 2022

 

I get why they just do a recap of the previous night’s news on the Saturday morning show;

 

But did they really need to repeat the precautions about how and how not to party on New Year’s Eve on the January 1 broadcast?

There's Always One

January 1, 2022

 

Question of the Day:

How long until we find the ONE decoration that didn’t get packed away?

 

Welcome to 2022

January 1, 2022

 

Happy New Year!

If you’re praying for the country, and the world—and I sure am,

Instead of telling the Lord how to fix things, 

Try telling Him what’s worrying you,

 

And let Him work out the solution.