# Nitpicking the BBC **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 4, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889 "2010-12-04T01:33:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/21 "2010-12-04T21:03:44Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > There is no connection. The two offices are completely independent. They share the same electors. One votes for both offices at once. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/22 "2010-12-04T21:04:28Z")
Worst. Pitting. Ever. x 1,000,0000,00000000000000000000000000000000000 ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/23 "2010-12-04T22:28:43Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > When actors say “he played x to my y” there is no hierarchy implied. > [@amarinth](#): > > When I read that construction, I assume that it means the two were a pair, not that one is subordinate to the other but that the two are a single unit. (I know that both Cheech & Chong have gone on to solo projects, but still I don’t think of one without the other.) What, are y’all trying to say this is a ridiculous thing to get worked up about? Because if you are, I swear I’ll take this from the Pit to the Sub-Pit! ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/24 "2010-12-05T02:01:56Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > Dick Cheney was not “vice-president to George W. Bush.” He was Vice President of the United States. An office that is constitutionally independent from the presidency. The vice president does not report to the president. The president has no authority over the vice president. > > BBC fact checkers should have caught this mistake. > > At least they did not use “prior to.” > > [Dick Cheney faces bribery scandal charges in Nigeria - BBC News](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11902489) > > Link from this thread: > [Interpol to issue international arrest warrant for Dick Cheney - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=587711) The BBC is using English, not your native customs. The sentence is just fine. The BBC does not adjust its language to accomodate native peculiarities. ---
**Author:** ![Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f475e1/32.png) [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/25 "2010-12-05T02:17:50Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > The BBC is using English, not your native customs. The sentence is just fine. The BBC does not adjust its language to accomodate native peculiarities. It is not a usage issue. Their statement was factually incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/26 "2010-12-05T03:07:07Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > It is not a usage issue. Their statement was factually incorrect. I think a super scientific Internet poll is in order. Because I think even among US dopers, you’d come out on the losing end. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/27 "2010-12-05T03:33:46Z")
The independence of the VP was long ago. While his official duties are few, such as breaking a tie vote in the senate and sitting over joint sessions of the house and senate, his personal duties have been , in recent history, determined by the president. Lately they have been part of presidential teams and are thought to have great policy input. They often do work assigned by the president. So i doubt you can defend them as being independent and separate anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/28 "2010-12-05T03:50:19Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > What’s wrong with “prior to”? That’s what I was wondering. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/29 "2010-12-05T03:53:30Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The independence of the VP was long ago. While his official duties are few, such as breaking a tie vote in the senate and sitting over joint sessions of the house and senate, his personal duties have been , in recent history, determined by the president. Lately they have been part of presidential teams and are thought to have great policy input. They often do work assigned by the president. So i doubt you can defend them as being independent and separate anymore. Seriously. The VP is a de facto member of the President’s administration and is as “under” the President in that regard as one can be. If the VP told the President he wasn’t interested in helping to advance the agenda of the White House and wanted instead to operate his office as the constitutionally independent entity it was intended to be, the President would simply tell him “Okay, go have fun breaking ties” and he’d be shut completely out of any responsibility whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/30 "2010-12-05T04:10:02Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Similarly, I am oft outraged upon hearing in a description of a duo that one partner played “Laurel to his Hardy” or “Cheech to his Chong.” Neither Laurel nor Cheech were subordinate to Hardy or Chong. They were equal in position and neither acted at the direction of the other or was under any compulsion to do so. I have written many, many letters to the editor on this topic. We are in receipt of your letters. Expect a County Deputy to serve you a copy of the restraining order. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/31 "2010-12-05T04:30:00Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > We are in receipt of your letters. Expect a County Deputy to serve you a copy of the restraining order. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Good God, don’t you see? Look, Paul Giamatti’s John Adams was subordinate to David Morse’s George Washington, but _Paul Giamatti was the star of the series!_ I have charts! _I have charts!_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/32 "2010-12-05T04:44:19Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > Good God, don’t you see? Look, Paul Giamatti’s John Adams was subordinate to David Morse’s George Washington, but _Paul Giamatti was the star of the series!_ I have charts! _I have charts!_ But in “Big Fat Liar” he was blue. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/33 "2010-12-05T04:47:20Z")
Maybe Cheney is Bush’s Chong “Open up” “Who is it?” “Dick” “Dick’s not here” “No, it’s Dick. I got the stuff.” “Dick’s not here” “I’m Dick, open up”. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/34 "2010-12-05T04:57:39Z")
> [@sh1bu1](#): > > Maybe Cheney is Bush’s Chong > > “Open up” > “Who is it?” > “Dick” > “Dick’s not here” > “No, it’s Dick. I got the stuff.” > “Dick’s not here” > “I’m Dick, open up”. Or he’s Dick to Bush’s Tommy. “My old man’s a Cotton Pickin’ Finger Lickin’ Chicken Plucker. What do you think about that?” “I think we should go get Saddam!” ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/35 "2010-12-05T05:15:58Z")
> [@pravnik](#): > > What, are y’all trying to say this is a ridiculous thing to get worked up about? Because if you are, I swear I’ll take this from the Pit to the Sub-Pit! Don’t you mean the Vice-Pit? ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/36 "2010-12-05T05:17:20Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Or he’s Dick to Bush’s Tommy. I yelled “fire” when I fell into the chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/37 "2010-12-05T05:23:20Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Do they work together? is there a constitutional relationship between them? They’re constitutionally required to be partners in the three-legged race at the annual White House picnic. ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2010, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/38 "2010-12-05T16:54:53Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > It is not a usage issue. Their statement was factually incorrect. No it’s not. It’s just different phraseology to your local preference. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/39 "2010-12-06T04:27:01Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > Dick Cheney was not “vice-president to George W. Bush.” He was Vice President of the United States. An office that is constitutionally independent from the presidency. The vice president does not report to the president. The president has no authority over the vice president. Funny. I could have sworn the Vice President of the United States is a member of the Cabinet. [Who’s this Joe Biden fellow, then](http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet)? ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889/40 "2010-12-06T05:44:35Z")
> [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](#): > > The vice president does not report to the president. The president has no authority over the vice president. Maybe you’re right in the very specific case of Dick Cheney. But the rest of them? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nitpicking-the-bbc/562889.md?page=3)