You know it's time for a change when you hear that Kerry and Edwards
both wrote their own riveting, galvanizing acceptance speeches at the
Democratic National Convention,

Nonsense. If they did, they compared notes beforehand. Both speeches used the
same deliberate devices, some of which were not so subtle.

Two brothers "accidentally" show up for Thanksgiving dinner wearing exactly the
same wild tie? Not likely.


And speaking of mangling the language, can you believe the following is
presented as a single sentence?

You know it's time for a change when you hear that Kerry and Edwards
both wrote their own riveting, galvanizing acceptance speeches at the
Democratic National Convention, heartfelt and effective rhetoric that
gives you hope not for the quality of polished oratory but for
genuine, refreshing political intellect, and verbal acumen, as you
offer deep thanks that at least some politicians can still speak
coherently and cogently without mangling the goddamn language at every
adjectival clause.

We do, however, agree on the subject line. :-)

On 11 Aug 2004 17:59:18 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Sir:

You know it's time for a change when you hear that Kerry and Edwards
both wrote their own riveting, galvanizing acceptance speeches at the
Democratic National Convention,

Nonsense. If they did, they compared notes beforehand. Both speeches used the
same deliberate devices, some of which were not so subtle.

Do you believe that each wrote his speech separately?

And speaking of mangling the language, can you believe the following is
presented as a single sentence?

I find only two "mangles," one somewhat minor:

You know it's time for a change when you hear that Kerry and Edwards
both wrote their own

This should have been, "each wrote his own."

riveting, galvanizing acceptance speeches at the
Democratic National Convention, heartfelt and effective rhetoric that
gives you hope not for the quality of polished oratory but for
genuine, refreshing political intellect,

When there are more than two items in a series, the last one is not preceded by
a comma.

and verbal acumen, as you
offer deep thanks that at least some politicians can still speak
coherently and cogently without mangling the goddamn language at every
adjectival clause.

With that said, however, I should add that any good editor would have a field
day with this rather convoluted sentence. The last time I looked, there was no
shortage of periods, semicolons and em dashes. The sentence would certainly
have benefited from their use.

Most sincerely,
W.T. Hatch



We do, however, agree on the subject line. :-)

Do you believe that each wrote his speech separately?

I believe that a common speech writer prepared an initial proposal, and worked
closely with each candidate to arrive at a final version.

Quite possibly, the last great Presidential speech written without benefit of
professional assistance was penned on the back of an envelope, (in a rail car
traveling between Washington, DC and Gettysburg).

On 11 Aug 2004 18:28:04 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Do you believe that each wrote his speech separately?

I believe that a common speech writer prepared an initial proposal, and worked
closely with each candidate to arrive at a final version.

Quite possibly, the last great Presidential speech written without benefit of
professional assistance was penned on the back of an envelope, (in a rail car
traveling between Washington, DC and Gettysburg).

Perhaps there should be a Constitutional amendment requiring presidents to do
their own work--including the writing of their own speeches.

I have often been amused by pundits and critics referring to the "eloquence" of
presidential speeches. It is grossly unfair that the true authors go
uncredited, while the person simply reading the words receives the accolades.

Most sincerely,
W.T. Hatch

"W.T. Hatch" wrote in message
...
On 11 Aug 2004 18:28:04 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:

Do you believe that each wrote his speech separately?

I believe that a common speech writer prepared an initial proposal, and
worked
closely with each candidate to arrive at a final version.

Quite possibly, the last great Presidential speech written without
benefit of
professional assistance was penned on the back of an envelope, (in a rail
car
traveling between Washington, DC and Gettysburg).

Perhaps there should be a Constitutional amendment requiring presidents to
do
their own work--including the writing of their own speeches.

I have often been amused by pundits and critics referring to the
"eloquence" of
presidential speeches. It is grossly unfair that the true authors go
uncredited, while the person simply reading the words receives the
accolades.

Most sincerely,
W.T. Hatch




Some will be insulted by this analogy, but I'd find it to be frustrating if
it were my job to write speeches for my neighbor's 4 year old son. I suppose
Bush's writers must feel the same way.