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Seventeenth-century poet and intellect John Milton predicted, “When language in common use in any country becomes irregular and depraved, it is followed by their ruin and degradation.” Gore Vidal, his 20th-century intellectual successor, elaborated saying: “As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate.” Sloppy language permits people to get away with speaking and doing all manner of destructive nonsense without being challenged.
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“Hate paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it; Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.”
Read moreMy ancestors were slaves. I am not ashamed of that because that didn’t deter my family from pursuing the American Dream of freedom. Neither did it make us distrust democracy, capitalism or the rule of law. We view them as rungs on a ladder.
Read more[Moses reminds the Israelites of his reaction to seeing the golden calf by saying,] “So I took the two tablets and threw them out of my hands, breaking them to pieces before your eyes.”
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Mike Rosen submits the following, calling it the best explanation he’s seen about what’s going on in America.
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• The right to vote is among the most sacred rights we have as Americans. It is fundamental to our democracy.
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Several years ago I read in a man’s magazine (not Playboy, probably Popular Mechanics) a list of the top ten tools of all time. Duct tape was number one and “Vice” Grips was also included, which according to mine is properly spelled Vise Grips®. Believe me, Vise Grips® have no vices. Also on the list were zip ties, margarine tubs, a big screwdriver and to show you how old the list was, a phone booth and a quarter was number ten. I haven’t seen a phone booth in years and believe, based on personal experience, they’ve been outlawed in Nebraska for years.
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