AN AFFRONT TO GOOD GRAMMAR: A BOOK THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY

The New York Times calls Pearl Harbor, a book by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen, an assault on Hawaii and on grammar. The Times review quotes this sentence from the book:

“James nodded his thanks, opened the wax paper and looked a bit suspiciously at the offering, it looked to be a day or two old and suddenly he had a real longing for the faculty dining room on campus, always a good selection of Western and Asian food to choose from, darn good conversations to be found, and here he now sat with a disheveled captain who, with the added realization, due to the direction of the wind, was in serious need of a good shower.”

Huh?

We are not here to review books or to critique book reviews. We mention Mr. Gingrich’s book only because he is mentioned as possible Republican candidate for the presidency, although he has not yet formally declared. Have we not had enough of a president who mangles words, who comes up with expressions like, “Don’t misunderestimate me”? Newt Gingrich was once a history professor. Social scientists have long been known for their empty rhetoric, sweeping generalities, and observations on the insignificant.

Do we want to put another rhetorically-challenged leader in the White House? Common sense tells us that it would be better to elect an English professor, and who is more qualified than our favorite candidate, Dr. Carl Perrin?