I hope for many thanks on Tuesday, and among my wishes is a temporary respite from pundit-speak. As I've posted before, the non-stop use of "Look--" before a fairly obvious statement of opinion or fact has become the new political grease around banalities. Is everyone so terrified of not being taken seriously? Of being ignored, like Alex in FATAL ATTRACTION? And the new obsessive-compulsive use of the cliche -- my least favorite is "drinking the Koolaid" but there are many. Please, throw me under the bus and put me out of my misery. Perhaps Palin-speak -- eliptical, destination-free sentences devoid of shape, craft, discipline and clarity -- took off as "fresh" only because we're deluged with numbingly monotonous rhetoric.
I'm surprised people aren't a little more touchy about the "kool-aid" business. I guess they don't know the origins. I was kinda shocked Hasselbeck didn't get bitch slapped for it. It's really offensive when you think about it.
It's entered the lexicon devoid of its associations with cults. But a lot of the metaphor-speak is loaded. This morning, Joe Scarborough used the word "lynching" in a very generic way that should've been rescinded. (Anyone else hear that?)
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
There are many reasons I love you Auggie, but something like this is why I worship you:
Perhaps Palin-speak -- eliptical, destination-free sentences devoid of shape, craft, discipline and clarity...
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
Fun Fact - It was actually Flavor-Aid that the poor wretches in Jonestown drank. Kool-Aid is a misnomer.
PRS, I don't know if I would call that a "fun" fact, but it is interesting! I never knew that.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
I like to educate as well as entertain.
Please add, "in the tank with.." It was banded about on the talk shows this a.m. with abandon. Especially that creepy Monica Crowley, who never met a cliche she couldn't resurrect. (That said, Kelly O'Donnell really IS in the tank with McCain.)
Just "destination-free sentences" alone is genius!
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/25/05
"Not ready to lead" and, yes, "we can't afford more of the same" can both be retired, as far as I'm concerned. (It has nothing to do with political philosophy, just overuse.)
"One heartbeat away!!" I wouldn't even say that about someone on their deathbed; it's a horrible implication.
I really hate the Kool-Aid reference. Especially since research has shown that many of the victims of Jonestown were outright murdered by use of injections against their will.
Will "maverick" go away as well? Please?
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