Although every textbook account that mentions the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts enumerates the punishments meted out—none of which involved burning at the stake—many Americans persist in the notion that the Salem witches were executed in that manner. Witness this indignant comment I read in a letter to the editor condemning the US public’s penchant…
Month: November 2015
A More Acceptable Name for the Murderous Horde
Americans are acquainted with two acronyms used by world leaders and journalists to refer to a terrorist organization that wishes to impose sharia law on the world: ISIS and ISIL. This weekend, owing to the horrendous events in Paris, English-speakers previously unacquainted with it have been introduced to another acronym. In French, it’s spelled DAESCH;…
A Whole Year To Go!
This morning I heard something very discouraging on the radio. The presidential election is still one year away. Twelve more months of dreary election coverage. I have two suggestions for the news media. 1. From today until October 1, 2016, limit election coverage to one story per candidate per week. 2. Instead of reporting the…