Dear K, And The Other Anonymous
I can not believe the number of responses my postings have generated. Mostly they are from people who are not quite sure it is safe to step from behind the curtain of anonymity. The ire is amazing. These respondents make it impossible for me to respond to them. That's OK, I'm fairly thick skinned. Actually, most of the anonymous e-mails I've received have been from reasonable, thinking people. I've been impressed. It is encouraging to know that there are still intelligent, thoughtful people out there.
Actually I do not consider myself the "king of the English language". I consider myself a moderately educated man with a healthy respect for things that are bigger than I am, like the English language. I make mistrakes sometimes, but not very often in my written word, because I care, and am proud of the fact that I am able to use the language effectively. Language is not merely putrid globs of crap that should spray out of our mouths when we think we have something important to say. It's an art form for many, and a science for others, not just me.
I was told that language is fluid and ever changing, and I should roll with it. Yes, languages do change, I understand that, but not to the degree that the uneducated, and ignorant in our modern cultures would have us change them. It is stupid people, unwilling to learn, that are changing the language. Cultures should strive to improve. I do not believe that stupid people are capable of improving any culture. Destroying the very language that is a foundational element of any society is not a way to move forward. Language is the way we communicate, and the rules of English in the United States are really not that complicated. Those who would rather not use the rules of the language tear our culture apart. They create pockets of illiterates, entire segments of unrefined, low acheivers. And the worst part then, is that the rest of us are expected to understand. We are asked to be sympathetic to the dummies who think the rest of us are all wrong. I simply can't do that.
No, I’m sorry, but I will take the slings and arrows from people who think I should lighten up. Also, if you have a legitimate criticism of something I write, tell me, I'll listen. I mean tell me about something other than what hurt your feelings, or offended your delicate sensibilities. I don't care about that. And please don't judge me. Read the words and deal with them. What you read is what I mean. Don't apply your feelings and judgementalism to it.
And dear Mr., Ms., and Miss anonymous, please identify yourselves. I would be happy to debate my points of view. I am willing to take my lumps when I deserve them, and I'll take the credit when I deserve that too.
And to the seventeen year old girl in London who made an excellent point, you said England,1, US, 0 (or something to that effect). Sorry my dear but that decision was made over 200 years ago when we, the US, sent the red coats packing. Plus, the fact that you made a good point is a credit to you, and does not reflect on your fine country at all, nor mine.
And K, dear K, I am richolduncle, not "Rich Old Uncle", because I use this moniker in several places on the Internet. Many of those sites require you to use a single word to identify yourself. In fact, without going back and checking, I believe this site requires a single word handle too. Combining words, such as richolduncle, allows you to use multiple words and still fulfill the single word requirement. No, I won't tell you you're wrong, but now you know a little more than you did before, right? I hope that explains satisfactorily.
C
posted by Rich Old Uncle @ 3:28 PM
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