not especially terribly un-normal

An open letter to journalists:

Dear Journalists,

I know, as does everyone else in America 17 times over, that Americans are easily bored, that there are 8 million potential sources for information other than yours, etc. etc. However, the practice of describing politicians and public figures who "blast" or "slam" ideas, policies, and each other is both growing in popularity and stupid.


WWF wrestlers and hockey players "slam" each other. Exploding bombs "blast." Politicians and public figures criticize, excoriate, castigate, lambaste, denounce, and/or disparage. These are verbs that describe speech.


Please please please stop it.


Sincerely,
Dr. Mario