You truly are becoming a grumpy old man. New language, like technology, is passing us by. Legible handwriting and grammar are not important to this generation. While I too am prudish regarding grammar, spelling is my pet peeve. I always tell youngsters ( anyone under the age of 40) that if they can’t spell a word, they can’t use it.

Stu and I notice that on TV – both scripted and unscripted – people use incorrect pronouns ALL THE TIME. Things like, “It’s a great opportunity for Ed and I” instead of “Ed and me” and vice versa.

As for text shorthand, “nmu” took me a minute to decipher the first time I saw it.
A: What’s up?
B: nmu

… Not much. You?

Wonderful post! Yes, language rolls on like an unstoppable juggernaut, and we can only look helplessly as sounds change or disappear, treasured idioms disappear and words lose their meanings. I could fill a page with changes that sadden me. One I really dislike is the constant use of “awesome” for trivial things like a new dress or a Big Mac. These are not awesome, Krakatoa blowing up was awesome. The Big Bang was awesome. I also despair when I watch as a final D disappears or becomes T. I head DITN’T all the file for DIDN’T. So, all I can do is try to use words as correctly as I know how and try to add a few good old words like “vouchsafe” and “whom.” The Book of Common prayer and the King James Bible are great places to see the beauties of the English language.

No sense sending him a letter. He doesn’t read. Needs to get his security briefing in comic book form.

We are so screwed. I never thought I would miss W.

Gird thy loins, Ancient One. Let us be like Sir Andrew Barton;

“Fight on, my men,” says Sir Andrew Barton,
“I am hurt, but I am not slain;
I’ll lay me down and bleed a while,
And then I’ll rise and fight again.

Fight on my men,” says Sir Andrew Barton,
“These English dogs they bite so low;
Fight on for Scotland and Saint Andrew
Till you hear my whistle blow!”

Barton was killed, but he fought a good fight. We have a lot of names to substitute for “English dogs.” I’m not giving up without a fight.

I had never read “Annabel Lee” before, or even heard of it. Thank you for the recommendation; it’s lovely.

Good overview of multiple problems. I like the idea that they can be addressed simultaneously–the same way that environmental issues and job creation can be addressed by investing in green solutions.

So nice to have you back and good to know you are recovering. Just getting away from the daily garbage that is on TV will make anyone feel so much better. You just have to realize that it is going to be the same negative crap everyday and it is not going to change, it is not going to ever make sense and that it is futile to get involved in it. It will only make you sick, literally. Your time can be better spent on other things that are way more productive and beneficial for you as a whole. The news media does not seem to be a reliable and trustworthy source for news anymore. Probably because the news makers themselves are unreliable and not trustworthy and make no sense either. So why bother with any of it. You’ll feel so much better without them in your daily life. I have been without TV for nearly a year now and I feel great and do no think I am missing anything. I just know it is all becoming so strange and just hope it ends soon. Now is a good time to learn and do all those things you were going to do if you ever had time. Personally I took ukulele lessons for the last three months and it has been wonderful and way more fun than watching the boob tube!