Those Who Know, Chuckle.
Tim Leary says the only intelligent way to discuss politics is on all fours. Works for me.
– Definition: n. Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed.
– Used in a sentence: If our elected officials had more probity, there would be less Congressional probing.
– Why: Actually, I’m not sure whether it’s the word or the concept that needs bringing back. Probably a bit of both.
– Definition: n. a minor dispute or disagreement.
– Used in a sentence: The current Administration* is one big contretemps after another.
– Why: Because “kerfuffle” could use a bit of adulting.
A FEW YEARS AGO, I revised the Pledge of Allegiance — instead of stating support for a piece of cloth, it celebrates what that cloth stands for. In today’s hyper-partisan political and cultural climate, it’s important to be both precise and concise so as not to be misunderstood.
All that said and done, here once again is the revised pledge, on this the 243rd anniversary of our nation’s first Independence Day. May you say it in good health, and may that good health steadily spread throughout the Lower North American body politic. (Because we really, really need it.) Continue reading “Allegiance Redux”
– Definition: n. Abstracted musing; dreaming.
– Used in a sentence: Since late 2016, my reveries have been somewhat disturbed.
– Why: Although it comes from an Old French word meaning “dream,” it also reminds one of “revere” or “reverent.” And aren’t dreams something to hold in reverence?
– Definition: adj. Permitting to a certain extent the passage of light.
– Used in a sentence: O, for a more perfectly pellucid presidency*!
– Why: I’m in favor of this one strictly for the sound of it; the feeling on my tongue as I shape each obscure syllable. (Plus, it makes a nice alliteration with “perfectly” and “presidency.”)
– Definition: n. The act of linking together.
– Used in a sentence: One positive effect of the 2016 election was the concatenation of disparate progressives, some actually lucid.
– Why: Who could argue with a pentasyllabic synonym for “gathering?”
Leadership is not about the next election, it’s about the next generation.”
— Anon.
Click image to enlarge; if you need an explanation of the punchline, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Treachery_of_Images.
And now, suitably inspired, GO YE FORTH AND VOTE. (This charade has gone on long enough.)
Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that ‘my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.’”
― Isaac Asimov
– Definition: n.; pronounced “DES-wuh-tude” or “de-SUE-uh-tude.” A condition of disuse.
– Used in a sentence: Unless we act to protect them, our Constitutionally guaranteed rights are apt to fall into desuetude.
– Why: It rolls nicely off the tongue. Besides, who actually says “disuse?”
– Definition: n. An auctioneer’s shill
– Used in a sentence: “Some of these political rallies seem to reek of illicitators.”
– Why: It’s obscure, yes, but how many illicitators have YOU spotted recently?
– Definition: n. pl. (construed as sing.) The division of political science dealing with citizenship and civic affairs.
– Used in a sentence: “My old high school stopped teaching civics years ago.”
– Why: It’s needed. Boy, is it needed.
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