Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Stole this but thought it was important to share’

Pronouns have become a hot topic in both linguistic and cultural circles. Masculine pronouns used to be the default for any mixed-gender or unknown singular usage, but times, they are a-changing.

In comes “they.” Old-fashioned grammarians might hold onto the edict that “they” isn’t appropriate when referring to a singular person, but we’re here to tell you that it’s A-OK to use “they” anytime you need a gender-neutral pronoun.

The Argument About “They”

You have some options when it comes to pronoun choice. “He” and “she” have long been the favorites for referring to individual people, while “they” has prominence as a plural pronoun to reference groups of people.

However, this hasn’t always been the case. The Oxford English Dictionary has evidence of a singular “they/their/them” in use as early as 1375 in a medieval romance, William and the Werewolf.

In fact, the singular pronouns “they/their/them,” although not common, were used until the 18th century. That was when grammar scholars started to argue about whether or not “they/their/them” could describe a singular antecedent. They failed to remember “you,” which functioned as a singular pronoun but had been a plural pronoun at first. In fact, “you” lost its billing to “thou,” “thee,” and “thy.” Yet again, another instance of the modern being not-so-modern after all.

In any case, the use of the singular “they/their/them” began to decrease by the late 18th century, as more and more grammarians fought against their common usage.

Acceptance of a Gender-Neutral Pronoun

English is a living language — one that is constantly shifting and changing based on what is happening in our culture. The conversation around gender is constantly evolving, too. That’s how we find ourselves looking at “they/their/them” as a gender-neutral singular pronoun again. Many non-binary individuals prefer the encompassing and gender-neutral pronouns “they/their/them” to describe themselves.

In 2015, the singular “they/their/them” was added to The Washington Post style guide. And in 2017, the Chicago Manual of Style added commentary about the use of a singular “they/their/them,” stating that it was more comfortable with the use of “they/their/them” in informal English over formal writing. Also in 2017, The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook weighed in on a singular “they,” deeming it acceptable. The Modern Language Association followed suit soon after and added it to the MLA Style Manual.

Today, many style guides accept the singular “they,” and the Oxford English Dictionary — perhaps the most definitive dictionary — also stands behind it. Some grammarians still don’t accept its use for the singular, but this doesn’t mean that the use of it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, it’s just another example of language rules taking some time to catch up to the ways that the language is being used.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

This something that Democrats are getting accused of by the Trumpublicans… mostly FAUX So Called News and other rightwing media outlets. (will not call them conservative because they aren’t)

In reality the Democratic party has, to my knowledge, never spiked the ball because we never feel like the job is done. Historically only the GOP tend to claim victory, even when victory hasn’t been accomplished, anyone remember G.W. Bush claiming mission accomplished only to have the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict to continue for 20 more years.

I had someone tell me the other day that Biden has no right to take a victory lap because everything has been accomplished while he has been in office was because of Trump. I did ask them, What were Donalds victories in his 4 years? I was met with silence followed by “he saved this country.”

Let’s go ahead and list what was passed under DJT and Mitch McConnel.

The first thing that the ‘right’ will say is that he got 3 Supreme Court Justices appointed.

True McConnel held up a seat that Obama should have appointed, then between Trump and Mitch they convinced Justice Kennedy to retire then going back on his own rule McConnel let Trump appoint a justice only days before the 2020 election. I feel all those seats were stolen.

Trump and the GOP set about repealing regulations that protect the Environment, National Parks, Civil Rights. In the 2 years they had control of both chambers they did a lot of damage and gave away billions to the ultra-rich.

The GOP and Trump claim victory over things that were already doing phenomenally well under Obama that he had rescued after a disastrous Bush Presidency.

Trump continually took victory laps about the soaring stock market, completely ignoring that fact the 90% of Americans have no money in the stock market.

Biden has pulled us away from an economic crash that has stricken the world not just the U.S., he rolled out a COVID Vaccine that has enabled Americans to get back to work. The Democrats and Biden pass a sweeping infrastructure bill that has actually brought manufacturing back… every week under Trump was infrastructure week but it never happened. What is notable is that every time Biden signed a bill into law that actually helped Americans, he didn’t have to make an event out of it… know why… because it is his FUCKING job and he didn’t require a spectacle for doing it.

Now that Biden is taking some credit for what he has accomplished the GOP and Trump are name calling saying ‘why should he get credit for just doing his job.’ Well truth be told I think Biden, Pelosi, and Schumer should be out there everyday talking about what they have been able to accomplish with unprecedented obstruction. The current GOP controlled House has done nothing but hold sham hearing. Pelosi not only pass 100s of bills but also had a Jan 6 committee that proved beyond a doubt that the 2020 election was attempted to stolen by Trump and his cronies.

Democrats won’t spike the ball because we always feel there in more works to be done…I am not saying that we won’t raise a glass and cheer when Trump is finally convicted for federal crimes.

Thanks for putting up with another rant.

Dwain Northey (Gen X)

Everyone today has a title, Mr., Mrs., Miss, Dr., Professor… there a so many it is hard to list them all. Recently we changed calling the members of the House of Representatives from Congressman or Congress Woman to Representative.

When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is “Mr. LastName.” (“President LastName” or “Mr. President” are terms reserved for the current head of state.) This is true for other ex-officials, as well. When talking about the person to a third party, on the other hand, it’s appropriate to say, “former President LastName.” This holds true for many other introductions, in polite company you could refer to someone as Judge (insert name here) even if that person is retired or Senator, Governor, Sheriff, you name it.

I suppose the rule is the last title held can be used when denoting a title. I know you are all wonder where I am going with this…

Well since the former guy, not Obama, Bush, or Carter, the most recent former guy has gotten a new title shouldn’t we use that? The title I am referring to is Defendant, i.e., Defendant Mr. Donald John Trump… I really think from now until he is convicted that when referring to the Malignant DJT he should be announced as Defendant or Convicted Sexual Abuser (Rapist). I will be happy to adjust it to Federal Convict or Prisoner # after he has been convicted.

So lets start now by always referring to (45) as the Defendant Mr. Donald John Trump.