# What I'd Like To Hear Bush Say Tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 18, 2003, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164 "2003-03-18T01:03:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/21 "2003-03-18T11:44:01Z")
Uh oh. The geeks are going at it … Hit him with your slide rule!! ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/22 "2003-03-18T11:44:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by djf750 \* > \*\*Grow up man, its a VERY dangerous world. Humans are violent imperfect creatures. Hopefully this show of force and the 3 minute war that follows will show the world that its time to calm down. Rip us apart verbally all you want, but don’t blow up buildings, especially when your culture doesn’t even allow a woman to walk around without a veil on. > > As far as I’m concerned these terrorists are just a bunch of Timothy Mcveigh’s with darker skin. You cannot reason with them except to show them force. > \*\* I agree with you 100%, but what do any of your points have to do with Iraq? One of the newspapers in Japan ran an editorial that claimed that because of White House propaganda combined with Fox-style psuedo-journalism, a significant number of Americans believe that the 9/11 terrorists were Iraqi and that Saddam and Bin Laden are working hand in hand. I’m starting to believe that editorial. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/23 "2003-03-18T11:59:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by djf750 \* > \*\*“And please don’t attack us or the Israelis. Can’t we all just get along. Let’s all be nice to each other. We are going to destroy all our weapons because we believe in the goodness of our fellow man.” > > Grow up man, its a VERY dangerous world. Humans are violent imperfect creatures. Hopefully this show of force and the 3 minute war that follows will show the world that its time to calm down. Rip us apart verbally all you want, but don’t blow up buildings, especially when your culture doesn’t even allow a woman to walk around without a veil on. > > As far as I’m concerned these terrorists are just a bunch of Timothy Mcveigh’s with darker skin. You cannot reason with them except to show them force. > > The US has done some despicable things, but we (and the rest of the world) won’t survive unless we show and use our strength. > > We all want peace, but goddamn, its dangerous out there. \*\* I’m all for blowing up Hussein, but let’s hold him accountable for things he actually had something to do with. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/24 "2003-03-18T13:50:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by masonite \* > \*\*No lectern mentioned. I stand by my snotty nitpick! > \*\* Stand by whatever you want. But Merriam-Webster’s definition 2b for “podium” is “lectern” as well. Dictionaries describe how language is used, not how scientists studying the physic of language have discovered it is meant to be used. If your copy of the OED isn’t up to date, that’s its own fault. And if you rely on faulty reference materials in your corrections of others, well you’re the one at fault. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/25 "2003-03-18T14:04:09Z")
Today my local news was filled with"Saddam defies Bush!" and “Hussein will not stand down!” Ah yes. Refusing to leave your own country and stating that your country will defend itself against invasion is just TAKING THINGS TO GODDAMN FAR!!! ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/26 "2003-03-18T14:08:27Z")
\*\*Pers \*\* I think you should be a presidential speechwriter. And I would have only added this little nugget: GWB: And if you don’t leave within two days, Saddam, we will air-drop in the most devestating weapon of all time, Senator Hilary Clinton. TV Announcers across the world: Ohhhhh, \*That’s mean \* ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/27 "2003-03-18T15:35:34Z")
Maybe i can shed a little light on the definition of “podium.” It seems that both **masonite** and **DanielWithrow** are correct, depending on where you do you your speaking. I looked up the latest _OED_, and the definition given is exactly the one that **masonite** gives. So, suspecting that this might be an issue of regional usage differences, i consulted both _Fowler’s Modern English Usage_ (3rd ed.) and _A Dictionary of Modern American Usage_, which are probably the best of their type currently available. _Fowler’s_ says: > [@](#): > > **podium** …A _podium_ is a platform or rostrum (e.g. for a speaker or an orchestral conductor). A _lectern_ is a stand for holding a book (usu. the Bible) in church, or a similar stand for a lecturer, etc. _ADMAU_, on the other hand, says: > [@](#): > > **podium** = (1) a low wall serving as an architectural foundation; (2) a raised platform that a speaker or orchestra conductor stands on; dais; or (3) a stand for holding a speaker’s notes; lectern. Sense 3, though once widely condemned as a misuse, is now standard AmE… Can we all kiss and make up now, please? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/28 "2003-03-18T15:48:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by masonite \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally posted by jr8 > > In an earlier speech, he was leaning on the podium with one elbow. > > You _stand_ on a podium. You lean on a lectern. > \*\* Well that would present one mighty fine target, now wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/29 "2003-03-18T15:54:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mhendo \* > \*\*Can we all kiss and make up now, please? \*\* Nope! 😃 Unless **masonite** wants me to correct him every time he puts an extraneous “u” in “favorite,” “armor”, or “color,” he needs to back off with his dagnabbin Britspeak. What you showed (shew?) is that “podium” CAN mean “lectern.” As gauche as it is to correct someone’s grammar without provocation, it’s even gaucher to correct their grammar when they didn’t make an error. But I’ll be happy to accept **masonite’s** apology. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/30 "2003-03-18T16:02:49Z")
Yeah. I wish Bush would stop soft-pedaling this idiotic war of his and instead start spouting violent rhetoric. Oh. Wait… ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/31 "2003-03-18T16:43:02Z")
I go off to bed and curl up with my stack of dictionaries, and I wake up to a minor shitstorm! To continue the hijack: **Daniel** , I do apologize if you’re really offended! 🙂 I hope this is all in good fun. And I also apologize to the OP if she took my “correction” seriously. Really. I’m not actually the Grammar Police, I just think the uniform looks cool. **mhendo** has summed it up nicely. I know that the broader definition of “podium” now includes the lectern sense; I’m sure you know that the older, narrow definition did not, and dictionaries have to make the choice: describe the language as it’s currently being (mis)used, ( 😃 ) or attempt to make a prescription for proper use. I believe they ought to do a little of both. By the way, many dictionaries approve of “nukular” precicely because people like the POTUS use that pronunciation. I’m sure if the OED doesn’t recognize that pronunciation yet, future editions will. We stodgy prescriptivists are well aware we’re fighting a losing battle. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/32 "2003-03-18T16:51:21Z")
Not really offended, **masonite** – just a hard-core descriptivist. 🙂 Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/33 "2003-03-18T19:38:28Z")
FTR, I shall be careful to use “podium” and “lectern” in the proper manner in the future. Except in the case of Bush, in which case I will use the term “bully pulpit”. But not in the way Roosevelt meant it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/34 "2003-03-18T23:24:37Z")
**Daniel, masonite, & mhendo:** I’m so glad you got that cleared up. I was sneakily following your little hijack while I was at work today, and I was just about ready to actually log in and knock your freaking heads together. Now, can we please get back to calling world leaders bad names? Thanks. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/35 "2003-03-18T23:37:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\ ***Daniel, masonite, & mhendo:** > > I’m so glad you got that cleared up. I was sneakily following your little hijack while I was at work today, and I was just about ready to actually log in and knock your freaking heads together. > > Now, can we please get back to calling world leaders bad names? Thanks. 😃 \*\* Sorry, dude, but we’ve got to nip these descriptivist/prescriptivist battles in the bud. There’s nothing more frightening than two grammarians going at each other. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/36 "2003-03-18T23:56:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Sorry, dude, but we’ve got to nip these descriptivist/prescriptivist battles in the bud. Okay. You can start, then, by not using “dude” to describe me. I’m a chick. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eutychus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Eutychus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eutychus)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/37 "2003-03-19T00:05:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\*Okay. You can start, then, by not using “dude” to describe me. I’m a chick. 😃 \*\* Is she _ever!_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DAVEW0071](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e19b73/32.png) [@DAVEW0071](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DAVEW0071)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/38 "2003-03-19T02:07:36Z")
And how! And, just to remain with the original intent of the thread… Saddam Hussein is a poopy-head! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/39 "2003-03-19T14:08:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Persephone \* > \*\*Okay. You can start, then, by not using “dude” to describe me. I’m a chick. 😃 \*\* Actually, under Merriam-Webster’s definition 2b, “dude” is a gender-neutral form of addr – Ow! Ow! Why’re you hitting me?! Sorry about the hijack. On-topic, what I’d like to hear Bush say? Nothing at all. Every time the little creep opens his mouth, my skin crawls. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2003, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164/40 "2003-03-19T14:16:39Z")
And he has poo on his shoe, too! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-id-like-to-hear-bush-say-tonight/162164.md?page=3)