THE ENDANGERED SPEAKIES LIST

Do you agree that the English language is under sustained attack, and has been eroded over the years?  (The correct answer is yes.  If you live on the West Side of Manhattan, the correct answer is "Yes, and it's all because of BUSH.  Oh, here come our Bangladeshi delicacies.") 

This site will defend the language.  We will resist words and phrases that come from the dictionary of the absurd.  You will find, for example, no reference here to "peace activists," who usually are not.  Nor will you find "world opinion."  If someone can show an accurate way of measuring it, factoring in the effects of state-run newspapers and controlled TV, we might reconsider.

This site will not "reach out" to anyone. We may call, we may e-mail, we may visit, but we do not "reach out." And we are not here to "make a difference." We do the writing. You make the difference.

We'll be cautious about labeling someone a "moderate."  Have you noticed the number of moderates with warhead designs on their laptops?

We will not try to "speak truth to power."  Of all the arrogant, pompous phrases that have infected journalism, that's the prize.

We'll discuss the assault on the language often, and we'll name the names of the abusers.  If you come across an outrageous twisting of English, please reach out to us.  Together, we can make a difference.

Posted on January 7, 2008.