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When our Language is Misused, We Should Respond!

How many times does someone say something that doesn't make sense, or seems to be a step around the actual question? When it happens, we most likely say, "Say What?!?" This is my effort to let them know their little faux pas did not go unnoticed.

Candidate uses word incorrectly

When Connecticut Attorney General and Democratic Candidate for the U. S. Senate, Richard Blumenthal, said he was a Vietnam Veteran and told of his heroic deeds, he wasn't exactly telling the truth. It turns out that Attorney General Blumenthal was not in Vietnam, but rather served in the U. S. Marine Corps in Washington D. C. When confronted about this, his response was "I misspoke." Say what, Mr. Blumenthal?!?! Don't you really mean to say that you LIED?

And let's remember, we're not just talking about average "Joe Candidate" here, but the Attorney General for the state of Connecticut! This is how he defends the truth, justice and the American way? Sad, isn't it?

When someone gets caught in a lie, is it really proper to let them say they misspoke? I think not, unless we want to turn this into a Cartesian law that applies to all of us, all the time. How about when the IRS comes knocking on someone's door because they didn't pay their taxes, can they say "Oh, I misspoke on the form, sorry."? When our children try to deceive their parents and are caught, will they be allowed to use the "misspoke" defense for their intentional cloaking of mischief? Do you want your doctor to "misspeak" about your diagnosis for cancer? The list is endless and the potential impact on our society for ignoring such usage is lethal.

St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour:
for we are members one of another." [Eph. 4:25] We need to realize that we are all connected to each other in a life-sustaining way, relying on one another in different ways in for different reasons, and none of us exists in a vacuum. I hope the citizens of Connecticut, good and God-fearing people that they are, do not let this pass unnoticed.

One of the themes you will see me right about is the idea of "rewarding bad behavior" that seems so prevalent in our society. I have no interest in the politics of Connecticut, per se, but I do have an interest in what our society allows and prohibits. To allow any person, Democrat or Republican, to get away with this language is inexcusable and should be duly noted at the polls. The results will speak volumes about who we are as a people, and I pray it will speak well of us. Or have I just misspoke?

$How\'s that Sir Paul?$

"It's a fantastic honor (for) the Gershwin family to give me this incredible award and for me to be awarded it by the Library of Congress. And in fact, after the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is," Sir Paul McCartney, singer, songwriter and clearly biased person.

How’s that Sir Paul? Your comments are not appreciated by most of us on this side of the Atlantic. How would a person be received in England who would have made so crass a comment about one of your Prime Ministers, or the Queen? Have you ever made such remarks about one of your own politicians, or are you only prone to criticizing leaders of foreign powers?

I will tell you honestly that I grew up with your music plastering the airwaves of my Japanese transistor radio and my friends’ 45 RPM records. But I never thought your band was so great and I seldom listened to your music. Give me the Jaques Loussier Jazz Trio any day. Too bad you never grew out of your “Pop” culture, maybe you could have really made a difference. Instead you have chosen to lead by poor example.

If you weren’t so ignorant, you might have known how really off base your statement was. You don’t like our former President? Okay, you’re entitled to your opinion, and there’s lots of things I don’t like about his policies either, but to claim he wouldn’t even know what a library was the fartherest thing from the truth. Here’s a little clue for you, First Lady Laura Bush was a Librarian. Yep, you heard me right, she actually has a degree in Library Science. Furthermore, she gives scholarships to people who want to advance Library Science as well (see http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/21centurylibrarian.shtm).

Thus, the shame you have brought on your yourself, your title, and your nation are evident to all who have heard your shameful utterance. In fact, Sir Paul, lets look at what a knight was. In the Middle Ages a knight was “an elite warrior sworn to uphold the values of faith, loyalty, courage, and honour.” according to Wikipedia. I really don’t think insulting a foreign leader quite falls under this code of action. Maybe the good Queen will take your knightship back?

What it all boils down to, Sir Paul, is this, you have had fame and a great deal of weath for nearly fifty years. During that time you have used women for your own ends, divorced, tried to smuggle marijuana into the United States (among other drugs), and now add insulting a U. S. President to your list of accomplishments. Someday you will go the way of all flesh, and then we shall see who remembers you. The wise Solomon said in the Book of Proverbs, “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.” Enjoy your moment Sir Paul, for you will discover how fleeting it really is. Or, you could repent, beg the forgiveness of President Bush, and be elevated once more in the eyes of the public. And save your soul in the process, not a bad deal, eh?