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Friday, September 29, 2006

Sticks and stones

I have very little patience for political advertisements. Most of them provide no useful information. Candidates say little about themselves, opting instead for the chance to take a cheap shot at an opponent.
But the "Linda Stender is a spender" slogan is a new low, where a whole bunch of people take turn saying that phrase, in the ad approved by Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J. He is trying to keep his seat from being stolen by the Union County assemblywoman.
How annoying! It almost seems like it deserves a sing-song tone. While most of the cheap shots taken in political ads show a lack of maturity, the person who came up with this ad campaign was probably hired on a playground during a kindergarten recess period. I suspect the next slogan will be along the lines of "Nanni-nanni-pooh-pooh."
Stender could equal the quality, taste and maturity level by taping a spot that says: "I know you are, but what am I?"

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

What did you call Linda Stender? An assemblywoman? Sticks and stones ... and improper titles. The proper title is assemblyman. We don't feminize titles such as superintendent, president, doctor or captain, so why do it to assemblyman and chairman? The "man" at the end of the word is pronounced "mun" and refers to one of the human race, not a male. I see the US Congress finally (after decades) dropped that sillinesss. Women members are now correctly called Congressman and, if applicable, Chairman. Often you'll hear Madam Congressman or Madam Chairman, but never congresswoman or chairwoman.

9/29/2006 04:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I see the US Congress finally (after decades) dropped that sillinesss. Women members are now correctly called Congressman ..." -- Nick Fera

Would you care to provide a source in support of this claim, Nick?

The following links will take you to the official web sites of several female members of Congress, none of whom seem to have received the memo you reference in your post above:

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

Congresswoman Mary Bono

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin

Congresswoman Melissa Hart

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Congresswoman Deborah Pryce

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee

Congresswoman Candice Miller

9/30/2006 08:25:00 AM  
Blogger Clare McDowell said...

Our AP Stylebook lists both chairman and chairwoman ... in the state's legislative roster, female representatives are listed with the title Assemblywoman. Sorry, Nick!
One thing I was glad to see go was -- years back, when I had just started at the Press, we still used courtesy titles for women. Had to ask every single one of them if they used Mrs., Miss or Ms.
Sometimes, even had to call them back after an interview for that one question! There was much joy in the newsroom when they were dropped.

10/03/2006 09:41:00 AM  

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