Tumblelog
Looks like McCain was a little off on who “Joe the Plumber” is and just how he would be affected by Obama’s taxes.
Wurzelbacher had never held a plumber’s license, which is required in Toledo and several surrounding municipalities. He also never completed an apprenticeship and does not belong to the plumber’s union, which has endorsed Mr. Obama. On Thursday, he acknowledged that he does plumbing work even though he does not have a license.
His full name is Samuel J. Wurzelbacher. And he owes back taxes, too, public records show. The premise of his complaint to Mr. Obama about taxes may also be flawed, according to tax analysts. Contrary to what Mr. Wurzelbacher asserted and Mr. McCain echoed, neither his personal taxes nor those of the business where he works are likely to rise if Mr. Obama’s tax plan were to go into effect, they said.
So, please, leave off the “not a real word” apologia. A far better (and dare I say, funner) technique is to jump in with both feet and use whatever word strikes your fancy. Instead of being defensive, demand that any who dare to quibble over your use prove that your word is, in fact, not a word.
In short, if it seems wordish, use it. No apologies necessary.
~ Erin McKean, lexicographer.
How cool is this!? I hope to have a daughter someday, and I will teach her to play baseball just to see her make a catch like this.
Ooh — another new favorite. And I am generally not a bold fan, but Summerour has done a fine job with this one. Epic goes on my long list of things to buy when I have more money.
Neighborly
Early this evening Meagan, Asher and I went downstairs to meet our neighbor. We have been here since the end of March and, though we have spoken with him briefly in coming and going, this is the first time we have made a formal visit. He is a kind man, in his seventies, and a retired professor of interior design (his apartment looks fantastic).
In our chatting we learned that in his seven years in this complex we are the first people to ever stop by and introduce ourselves. That is amazing to me. Where I come from, in Idaho, that just wouldn’t happen.
It is just a different culture. The people of Kansas are friendly, kind people but I guess “just stopping by” to see new neighbors isn’t what they do here. That is fine, but it is foreign to me.
This is a happy day. In St. Paul, Minnesota, Barack Obama speaks after securing the Democratic nomination.
Fail spectacularly whenever possible.
~ Jim Coudal.
