Brad,

If you agreed with everything I said, then you wouldn't ask such a question. I see no value in debating about who is or who isn't a better user of the English language than Henry Kissinger. I'd rather just dwell joyfully in good language when I come across it and not make comparisons.

Paul



________________________________
From: Brad Johnston <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 2:01:12 PM
Subject: Re: the most articulate American


Paul,

I agree with everything you say.

Before I can recall Henry's crown, I should ask you for the name of someone who does it better, using your criteria.

Brad.

--- On Tue, 11/25/08, Paul E. Doniger <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


Brad,
 
Henry Kissinger is a talented person, but I don't agree that he is "the best speaker and writer of our language," nor is he "The most articulate American." Good use of grammar is not the only criterion of articulate speech or writing; in fact, it may not be the most important, either. 
  
I don't believe that it is possible (nor even desirable) to identify one person as "the most" or "the best" anything; as my rhetoric professors might have said: "Sweeping generalizations are never true!" 
 
To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" 
Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/

To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at:
     http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html
and select "Join or leave the list"

Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/