What's in the News

I have never sold or purposely destroyed a book. A few by accident. I can't fathom any reason for book burning

And in other news, proto-English, aka Britspeak, has finally been deciphered.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10280244/Translation-table-explaining-the-truth-behind-British-politeness-becomes-internet-hit.html

If you substituted Chinese for the first column (albeit in a simpler, less droll diction), the second and third columns would be about the same vis-a-vis Chinese communication.

Actually, its a bit more complicated than that table, I use the phrases and do mean the 'third' column meaning mostly, unless I am unleashing my razor sharp sarcasm.
I'll add one (to a woman) 'those clothes look quite exotic on you' means 'you look like a slag!'

I kind of assumed all English speakers did this, at least in a business context.

"I think you have a valuable contribution to make to the discussion" = and that contribution should be silence from now on.

"I don't want to interrupt / disagree / take anything anyway from your comments / be unduly negative" = but unfortunately I have to, because you're an idiot.

"You make an excellent point" = You're completely wrong, but unfortunately you're my boss.

"So, if I understand what you're saying correctly....." = I'm going to take the garbled incoherent nonsense you just spouted and turn it into one of my trademark pearls of wisdom.



Unfortunately, I'm no longer any good at brit-talk. A couple of weeks ago in a meeting I said to my FAO, "Can you talk in English, so we know when you're saying something incorrect". 

A couple of weeks ago in a meeting I said to my FAO, "Can you talk in English, so we know when you're saying something incorrect". 

 

Been there. My ex-FAO was a Brit

A little like post-game, coach-speak:

"Our guards played inspired defense" = They couldn't shoot to save their lives

"We came to play today, but the breaks went against us" = They beat us like a red-headed stepchild, but at least we didn't pout and go home.

So we have developed a culture where we can, safe behind Net pseudonyms, defame, insult and upset people and our only possible response is to engage in some argument with the faceless accuser because if we actually do something about it in person, we risk our job. Read this article from CNN. I do not think the teacher over-reacted.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/12/world/americas/mexico-teacher-twitter/index.html?iref=obnetwork

And in other news, proto-English, aka Britspeak, has finally been deciphered.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10280244/Translation-table-explaining-the-truth-behind-British-politeness-becomes-internet-hit.html

Interesting.

So we have developed a culture where we can, safe behind Net pseudonyms, defame, insult and upset people and our only possible response is to engage in some argument with the faceless accuser because if we actually do something about it in person, we risk our job. Read this article from CNN. I do not think the teacher over-reacted.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/12/world/americas/mexico-teacher-twitter/index.html?iref=obnetwork

Yeah, back in my day we'd call her a bitch and a whore to her face.

Great job ad:  http://jobs.echinacities.com/jobchapter/1354412090


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Guess it's time to wax my chest   

Guess it's time to wax my chest   

Males have to do lower body... so you need a Brazilian as well.

I have never sold or purposely destroyed a book. A few by accident. I can't fathom any reason for book burning

I haven't read this article, but it's from a magazine that releases one essay per day, and they are mostly thought-provoking and interesting. I strongly recommend the magazine to everyone, it's managed to work it's way into my life due to it's fantastic content.  http://www.aeonmagazine.com/being-human/julian-baggini-burning-books/

Apparently, the American government is having a bit of a tiff, involving health care and has gone into a partial shut-down. It seems that the GOP are miffed that people have to buy medical insurance. I am no political mastermind, so can anyone please explain this to me? Why is this health care proposal so troublesome?

The republicans didn't do it so they want it cancelled. 

AND,  Big business might suffer if it isn't cancelled. 

Poor people and sick people with pre-existing conditions shouldn't be allowed to have health care.