News Bits!

The real story on the surveillance bill is the hold by Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Chris Dodd. He opposes retroactive immunity for the telecoms that participated in potentially illegal wiretapping. He's stated that he's willing to filibuster.

A smart move, designed to draw support from people who are tired of the Democratic Party not opposing the worst of the Bush administration's excesses.

I used to make fun of "nuke-ular" too. Then I heard a recorded speech by Martin Luther King Jr. on the radio. He pronounced it "nuke-ular", so it is OK with me. I'll continue taking my public speaking tips from MLK and not Bush, however.

in common with* old bushie

Okay I know the correct pronounciation* is "nu-clear," but just like other regional differences "pecan," "syrup" "Wa(r)sher" "futher" and the austinite pronounciation of "Burnet" I see Nuke-ular a just a regional way of saying the word that doesn't reflect on a person's intelligence or stupidity. Yes it does make it easier to make fun of Bush (not that he needs any help), but can we just let it go? I have a feeling that if you listened to your friends** and possibly yourself**, you might just find you have something in common old bushie.

*And yes I pronounce it "pro nunciation"

**And I do realize that many people here aren't from here and don't have any friends from here, and that's fine, but please don't move into a culture and then make fun of it.