Letters to the Editor
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The least of Matthews' problems
I rarely waste my time on Hardball, but nearly every time I see it, Matthews says something blundering at best, and embarrassingly sexist/racist at worst. It doesn't matter to me if anchors swear occasionally on cable. I'm much more concerned with whether they think before they speak, which is something Matthews seems incapable of. And sure, if Cronkite swore on the air, it would be a big deal. Chris Matthews, however, is no Walter Cronkite.
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the fact you even ask makes me groan
it is not important
and furthermore the fact that words like 'nigger' and 'faggot', are frequently not used by journalists reporting on circumstances in which the words exist is baffling to me.
obviously words have devastatingly negative effects when used in context of hate, but i feel like i'm living in an america sized playground when i hear the substitute 'the n-word'.
do we expect that someday the human race will forget how to pronounce these words and they will cease to exist if we continue to pretend they don't?
aren't we all adult and sensible enough that we can hear these words in proper context, which there are few of (in the dialogue of a character who would use the word, or in the reporting of it being used), without prudish hysterics?
if there is any controversy over this matthews 'shit slip' it's just as bad as banning huckleberry finn.
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"Matthews let's one slip"?
Maybe you could sell that apostrophe back to Vanna.
I don't expect much of Video Dog--I mean, it got punked by a Mr. Rogers mockup. But I do expect it to have a grasp of basic English usage.
"Video Dog fucks up." Note that the third person singular verb takes an s in the present tense.
"For fuck's sake, Video Dog!" Note that the apostrophe is required here because the noun fuck is in the possessive case.
Glad to be of help, you incredible moron.
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I expect better usage from Salon, that's for sure...
PLEASE fix this headline. It's embarrassing and it hurts me to look at it.
"Let's" is a contraction for the two words "Let us." "Lets" is the verb you want. No one should have to tell you this, and you should never have allowed more than one post on this subject.
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Video Dog = Quality!
Lets make no mistake's here. Properly use's of language are why I come's to Salon.
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and i thought i was being a nit-picking idiot
but you grammar jerkoffs are pathetic.
if it actually 'hurts you to look at' improper use of the english language your lives are meaningless.
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"Grammar jerkoffs"?? Did Momma's Widdle Darlin' flunk Freshman Comp?
Look, dumb-as-shit: The person who put this headline together is a professional writer. The person who let it get by is a professional editor. If you do not reflexively use the genitive apostrophe correctly, well, fine, since you are not a professional and, judging by your remark, you are also, as someone clever once said, dumb as shit. But most literate people don't overlook baseline usage problems in their own writing and especially in that of people who are paid to do it correctly and to put their words on display. It's not as if we are quarreling over the ideas (you know, those things that make your head hurt) in Salon--this ain't the right time for a quibble.
But, yes, you are correct: I am a grammar jerkoff. Nothing gets me going quite like imagining Lynne Truss in body-hugging leopard-skin Spandex (unless it's William Strunk and E.B. White going at each other with horsewhips--grrrrr!)
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Eror in head'line
Deer Saloon:
I aplaud ur brayv deesihshun 2 show How gramma and spelling dont mater. Shirley, wee awl no its/it's know reflexion on top of Saloon.
Write?
Rite?
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Matthews flub is minor
I think if Matthews had reacted to his own error, at the pause immediately following it, with a quick, simple, no-emotion "excuse me," and moved on, this clip would not have even attracted Video Dog's attention. It's Matthew's reaction, not the error itself, which--to me--seems somehow slipshod and unprofessional. What is more, this incident, as trivial as it is, only reinforces my dislike of his unmodulated, blaring delivery and awkwardly combative style. In general, Matthews is very off-putting.
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Slip?
I don't care about the grammar, just the connotation. The headline made me think he farted. Which would have been MUCH funnier.
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Not an issue
This is not an issue. Have you seen what "You TV" (YouTube) has on it these days? Matthews has to be able to compete!