Letters to the Editor
maureenodonnell
Published Letters: 1107 Editor's Choice: 5
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Why are Americana unwilling to pay the fine for "extraordinary rendition" of "the Queen's English?
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's Texas-size moment ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]In Europe, "extraordinary rendition" means the American ploy of kidnapping and dunking suspected terrorists, caging them in Guantanamo or whatever place fits in with the requirement "out-of-sight, out-of-mind". There's also another form of "extraordinary rendition" to which Obama supporters have taken quite happily and that is the "extraordinary" rendering of a commonplace word to the chattels of Senator John Edwards. You people from "the land of the free and the home of the brave" have been filching Elizabeth Windsor's language for years, plagiarising it brazenly, and passing it off as your own. Yes indeed, you've kidnapped it and just now you're torturing the word "fine" to death. This word, so unique to a US Senator called John Edwards, has caused raised blood-pressure, the effects of miasma and even colly-wobbles so gnawing at the vitals that one writer had to render her nausea with an "Ick". I don't have to pay for the Queen of England's comforts, as I live in a republic, but, in all fairness, I think you should if you're getting so hot under the collar as to suggest that "fine" is a newly-minted word coined by John Edwards and that Hillary Clinton is involved in forgery. You've been plagiarising the English language for at least 250 years and you need to own up now. Her Majesry might graciously allow the debt to lapse but you never know in these straitened times.
The French also might have an interest in this as "fine" is really a French word, pronounced differently in that lovely French accent. As the French monarchy is long gone, your Ambassador might be willing to explain to Nicolas Sarkozy that there are Americans who believe that a certain Mr. Edwards has proprietorial rights to the word "fine". After a few expletives in true Gallic fashion, Sarkozy would not allow the matter to develop into an international incident, particularly if he was informed that your sense of pique has passed and that "Freedom fries" have reverted to "French fries". Having recently married the stunning Italian model, Carla Bruni, Sarkozy would not be too interested in the contretemps and would probably dismiss it with a laugh. An educated man. Sarkozy would certainly know the difference between plagiarism and the brief use of ordinary, reassuring words. The idea that John Edwards owns them is really too funny for words.
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In the interests of pithiness........
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's Texas-size moment ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm truly sorry if you think I was plagiarising your apt analogy. The saying "Great minds think alike.." is suitably flattering to both of us but I'll discreetly avoid the second part of the saying. You did not inspire me because I didn't see that post. However, I'll give partial recognition to someone who posts on "The Irish Times" using the pseudonym "Elmer Gantry meets Lily Langtry". She was "The Jersey Lily, a beautiful courtesan in fashionable London.
Now, Persia, your sparkling prose has really chastened me. So I'm "incoherent" am I? Maybe you don't understand playfulness but like a very basic vocabulary with much repetition of "change" and "hope". On the other hand, you may find the following the very pinnacle of lucidity and coherence; "We are the ones we've been waiting for". I see heaven in your eyes too but you might as well save your efforts at disparagement. I "know where you're coming from",Persia. I thought of a Persian cat because what was once Persia is now called Iran and then I realized that you're just an ordinary moggy, although undoubtedly a sourpuss.
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Debaser, the first part of my letter was addressed to you.
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's Texas-size moment ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Yes, it's good to see the funny side of life. Who could resist stories of people applauding Senator Obama when blowing his nose? George W. Bush dancing with the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf? Hillary Clinton being accused of plagiarism when she says "We're going to be fine" and words such as "polarising" and "divisive" being thrown around like confetti at a wedding? No explanation required. Didn't Dolly the Sheep (cloned) die some years ago? So as to be absolutely precise, I must make it clear that the ovine question is strictly rhetorical.
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Stackey-Dackey, "holier than thou"?
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's Texas-size moment ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm not in the least holy but you don't seem to accept that the blogosphere has no boundaries. As for "holier than thou", you must be thinking ofthat paragon of all the virtues, Senator Barack Obama, who "trails clouds of glory" wherever he goes. Beefy Americans, male or female, don't intimidate me, which is really what you're at, isn't it? Australians suffer from low self-esteem, do they? Not the ones I've met but perhaps that's because they don't swagger around the world like SOME Americans, behaving in a manner which Jonathan Swift would have recognised when he created the Yahoos.
As for rugby, the Wallabies must have loved your condescending comment. I suppose I'll be designated "holier than thou" when I tell you I haven't the slightest interest in your rumpy-pumpy
experiences in the Land of Oz but you must cherish the memory.
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Oh, goody gumdrops! Here I am in the Emerald Isle and an Anoymouse + Ron Smith are tracking me.
[Read the article: Hillary Clinton's Texas-size moment ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]To Anoymouse first because he's been waiting in the long grass for some time now. I'm not being paid by anyone but, if you are, they're paying you too much for your weak puns and silly permutations of my name. Barack is so much more charming, isn't it, but you do have to hope the British press gets it right because "to barrack" means to shout or jeer and total humility is needed when THE NAME is mentioned.
Ron Smith, well may you be amazed but I come from the land of James Joyce and lively brains are part of the mystique. I'm just an enthusiastic amateur, of course, a flibberty-jibbet who will always find something to entertain me. I've never had the need for Prozac because my endorphins and all my hormones perform a perfect symphony. Hush now, Maureen, you're beginning to sound as smug and self-satisfied as Senator Obama.