Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 12:54:42 -0400

From: Ellen Johnson ellenj[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ATLAS.UGA.EDU

Subject: patriots, etc.



First, in a nod to accuracy, I am pleased to report that Georgia's

governor, Zell Miller, vetoed the English-only legislation that passed

there this year, fortunately in time for the Olympics.



(Gee, I am getting paranoid now about going back to correct my typos,

somthing I don't always do on e-mail!)



Second, isn't it interesting how we non-prescriptivists fall back on

prescriptive grammar as a means of defense when someone less educated (at

least who writes that way) invades our domain. Still, having grown up in

the South, I learned long ago that rational arguments have no effect on

bigots, since their positions are not based on reason, but emotion,

usually fear of some sort. Sometimes I'm brave enough to state outright

that I disagree, sometimes I just ignore it; usually leaving the room

gets the point across and gets me to a place with better company.



Ellen Johnson

new address: ejohnson[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]cc.memphis.edu