When is a first strike not a first strike?
When it's Anticipatory Retaliation.

February 24, 2006

Did you ever notice...

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the difference in spelling v. meaning in wee knight and week night?

This goes back to one of the things that I speak about when doing training presentations: the difference between written and spoken language.

Consider, for instance:

"Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rest can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Fcuknig amzanig huh?"

Interesting, isn't it? Wait until you see how Microsoft word does with it.

Now say it aloud.

There's a few other things - basically when one reads, subconsciously one scans about seven words in advance. So essentially, when reading, a person reads most of a line of text as a whole, synthesizes it, and then moves on. When small children are learning to read, one of the things that is quite difficult for them to understand is that a given letter only has meaning when oriented a specific way, and in some cases, such as m and w, the entire sound and meaning of the letter changes based on what is apparently a 180 degree rotation.

Spoken words, however, don't carry with them the ability to remain in memory for any length of time, and to subsequently recontextualize new information as effectively as written words. Hence, alliteration, repetition, meter, alliteration, and all these other things, which are often frowned upon in written communications are essential in promoting an idea when spoken. For example:

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.

Now imagine what your English teacher would have said about that in an essay.

For sake of comparison, listen to this.

This all becomes quite interesting when one consider what “on the record” and “off the record” actually mean in both practice and theory. But that’s a post for another day.

Launched by Bravo Romeo Delta at 09:16 PM | Retaliatory Launches Detected (1) | Missile Tracks

February 14, 2006

Pappy Boyington

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The University of Washington, in response to a proposal to erect a monument for decorated WWII Marine pilot Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington, decided that they didn't need "any more monuments to rich white men" and that they weren't too keen on the idea of putting up a monument that, you know, dealt with like, war and killing and stuff. Minutes of the meeting here: (http://senate.asuw.org/secretary/minutes/senate/12/02-07-2006.pdf))


(h/t Ace O' Spades).

Well, as it turns out the student senate (contact information here: http://www.asuw.org/directory.php) is having another senate meeting tonight, 2/14 at 5pm.

If you feel moved, drop them a line.

If you're alumni, feel free to tell them to go to hell.

Double that if you're a vet.

UPDATE:

This is the current response from the student council president, who I am sure, is getting deluged right now. I have to give the guy credit - it's a mature response in what must be a trying situation.

The blog news and the draft minutes that were posted are inaccurate. First, Ashley Miller's statements were highlighting, as a point of information, that the majority of our statues are white males, which was an issue previously addressed last year, this is not in any way meant to go against Colonel Boyington. It was noted by the sponsor, Andrew Everett, about Boyington's heritage later. Jill Edwards made here statements as an individual, and it should not be assumed she speaks for all students. Karl Smith wanted to honor his service as a whole (he risked his life, endured 20 months in a POW Camp) in an effort to bring more support from a number of students who do not morally agree with war. These statements are in public discourse that has been and will always be at the University of Washington to educate on the questions and issues of our society.

I would also like to remind you that as ASUW President I cosponsored this bill to create a memorial, it failed by one vote, and a good majority of those who voted against it wanted more inclusion of other alumni who were combat veterans who earned the Medal of Honor. This week a new resolution to that effect is being drafted and introduced. In the meantime the ASUW supports veterans in other ways, currently we are supporting state legislation that will hopefully pass and guarantee veterans tuition waivers. In the end, the buck stops here, I would appreciate further comments to be made to me. Please do not participate or condone the hate-filled comments and phone calls made toward individuals in our student government. It has been appalling to see what is being said to people. I too am nauseated.

Thank you for you statements.
Sincerely,
Lee Dunbar

Launched by Bravo Romeo Delta at 06:35 PM | Retaliatory Launches Detected (0) | Missile Tracks
» The Rule of Reason Retaliates with: University of Washington should honor 'Pappy' Boyington

February 13, 2006

Whew!

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All these visits and I didn't bake any posts...

Hmm... Ok - how's this.

Ann Coulter should be called out for her 'raghead' comment, but I'm not sure who gives a ice cold hoot about the Rall Bits.

I know every side claims to police their own whackjobs better than the other guy, but I got to thinking about it and I it's not that often when I call out a ideological ally for being silly. So here it is, and I'm doing it.

For her commentary vis a vis 'ragheads' she has earned herself a big ole cup of STFU.

Launched by Bravo Romeo Delta at 10:10 PM | Retaliatory Launches Detected (1) | Missile Tracks

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