Uh oh. The geeks are going at it …
Hit him with your slide rule!!
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.
I’m all for blowing up Hussein, but let’s hold him accountable for things he actually had something to do with.
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
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!!!
**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 *
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:
ADMAU, on the other hand, says:
Can we all kiss and make up now, please?
Well that would present one mighty fine target, now wouldn’t it?
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
Yeah. I wish Bush would stop soft-pedaling this idiotic war of his and instead start spouting violent rhetoric.
Oh. Wait…
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.
Not really offended, masonite – just a hard-core descriptivist.
Daniel
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. 
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.
Okay. You can start, then, by not using “dude” to describe me. I’m a chick.
Is she ever!
And how!
And, just to remain with the original intent of the thread…
Saddam Hussein is a poopy-head!
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
And he has poo on his shoe, too!