The English Language is both intriguing and complex. It is difficult to determine how many words are actually in use and available for use. “The Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. To this may be added around 9,500 derivative words included as subentries. Over half of these words are nouns, about a quarter adjectives, and about a seventh verbs; the rest is made up of interjections, conjunctions, prepositions, suffixes, etc. These figures take no account of entries with senses for different parts of speech (such as noun and adjective).”
Many people become comfortable with their list of favorite words and make use of them frequently in their “talking points” and conversations. It is almost robotic. Many who are interviewed become very predictable in their responses and use of language. The President is no exception. Politico and United Press International reported this past week the President will make use of the term “unprecedented” in almost every speech and regarding most of his proposed legislation. Since being sworn into office, he has used “unprecedented” 129 times in an effort to (a) demean the previous administration, and (b) emphasize his keen insight and resolve for the crises facing the nation. The problem with using the word “unprecedented” frequently is in terms of whether or not it is a credible use of the word. “Unprecedented” means: “without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled”! The UPI report includes: “Obama has relied on “unprecedented” in more than 90 instances, using the word at least 129 times in everything from major addresses to small speeches, statements, memorandums and proclamations. (Bush, by contrast, used the word 262 times over eight years.)”
UPI gives a partial list of President Obama’s usage of the word: “Obama has used “unprecedented” to describe his efforts on science research, his plan for the auto industry and his administration’s ethics, transparency and accountability guidelines. He has promised an “unprecedented commitment” to education, to developing clean energy and “to preserving America's treasured landscapes,” which, Obama has noted, have seen “unprecedented droughts” and “unprecedented wildfires” in the face of climate change. There has been “unprecedented consensus” on health care reform under Obama’s watch, as well as “the unprecedented intervention of the federal government to stabilize the financial markets” and an “unprecedented” bank review. His administration has also taken “unprecedented action to stem the spread of foreclosures,” Obama said, including the creation of “an unprecedented fund, in partnership with the Federal Reserve,” to get credit flowing.” This use of “unprecedented” is in fact “incredulous” (not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical. indicating or showing unbelief).
MSNBC is conducting a Live Poll - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/ - on whether or not “In God We Trust” should be removed as the motto of this nation. If you participate in the Poll, you will find that 89% of those Polled want to retain the Motto. It would truly be both “unprecedented” and “incredulous” for this nation to jettison itself away from the foundations of the nation. The Biblical record of Israel – the people of God – gives indication of the peril when a nation forgets or removes God from its way of life and consciousness. Some examples: Deuteronomy 10:21, "He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” Psalm 78:11, “They forgot His deeds And His miracles that He had shown them.” Psalm 106:7, “Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” Psalm 106:13, “They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel.” The result was: (a) their loss of significance in the world; (b) their inability to confront and conquer their enemies; (c) a steady decline in their favor before God; (d) their being led off into captivity by pagan nations; (e) their servitude to all of what should have been foreign to them. Why? Because of their departure from Almighty God and His Ways! We should learn from these examples – but – we haven’t and give no indication that we will. This same plight can and will be ours unless and until we change our ways! Consider these things with me!
Many people become comfortable with their list of favorite words and make use of them frequently in their “talking points” and conversations. It is almost robotic. Many who are interviewed become very predictable in their responses and use of language. The President is no exception. Politico and United Press International reported this past week the President will make use of the term “unprecedented” in almost every speech and regarding most of his proposed legislation. Since being sworn into office, he has used “unprecedented” 129 times in an effort to (a) demean the previous administration, and (b) emphasize his keen insight and resolve for the crises facing the nation. The problem with using the word “unprecedented” frequently is in terms of whether or not it is a credible use of the word. “Unprecedented” means: “without previous instance; never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled”! The UPI report includes: “Obama has relied on “unprecedented” in more than 90 instances, using the word at least 129 times in everything from major addresses to small speeches, statements, memorandums and proclamations. (Bush, by contrast, used the word 262 times over eight years.)”
UPI gives a partial list of President Obama’s usage of the word: “Obama has used “unprecedented” to describe his efforts on science research, his plan for the auto industry and his administration’s ethics, transparency and accountability guidelines. He has promised an “unprecedented commitment” to education, to developing clean energy and “to preserving America's treasured landscapes,” which, Obama has noted, have seen “unprecedented droughts” and “unprecedented wildfires” in the face of climate change. There has been “unprecedented consensus” on health care reform under Obama’s watch, as well as “the unprecedented intervention of the federal government to stabilize the financial markets” and an “unprecedented” bank review. His administration has also taken “unprecedented action to stem the spread of foreclosures,” Obama said, including the creation of “an unprecedented fund, in partnership with the Federal Reserve,” to get credit flowing.” This use of “unprecedented” is in fact “incredulous” (not credulous; disinclined or indisposed to believe; skeptical. indicating or showing unbelief).
MSNBC is conducting a Live Poll - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/ - on whether or not “In God We Trust” should be removed as the motto of this nation. If you participate in the Poll, you will find that 89% of those Polled want to retain the Motto. It would truly be both “unprecedented” and “incredulous” for this nation to jettison itself away from the foundations of the nation. The Biblical record of Israel – the people of God – gives indication of the peril when a nation forgets or removes God from its way of life and consciousness. Some examples: Deuteronomy 10:21, "He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” Psalm 78:11, “They forgot His deeds And His miracles that He had shown them.” Psalm 106:7, “Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; They did not remember Your abundant kindnesses, But rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” Psalm 106:13, “They quickly forgot His works; They did not wait for His counsel.” The result was: (a) their loss of significance in the world; (b) their inability to confront and conquer their enemies; (c) a steady decline in their favor before God; (d) their being led off into captivity by pagan nations; (e) their servitude to all of what should have been foreign to them. Why? Because of their departure from Almighty God and His Ways! We should learn from these examples – but – we haven’t and give no indication that we will. This same plight can and will be ours unless and until we change our ways! Consider these things with me!
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