Words Still Matter                                                                                   #367

By Hank Silverberg

Commentary

What's in a word? They do still matter. A few examples for you, my loyal readers. It is the holiday season with Chanukah occurring this week, Christmas and Kwanzaa just a week away, and New Year's Day not far behind. 

It's a time of celebration, joy and goodwill in many places, though we are reminded by the events in Providence and Australia that often the words "good will toward men" don't mean much. 

But still, we try to spread a bit of sunshine in the middle of a cold winter by greeting people with a smile and the words  "Happy Holidays". Oh, wait, I forgot, those words symbolize a "war on Christmas" to many on the right who persist on saying "Merry Christmas", even when they know you are not Christian. 

There are more than 340 million people in the United States. About 15% of those people practice a religion other than Christianity, and you can add another 7% who practice no religion at all. We are not offended by the term "Merry Christmas". I often say it to those I know are Christians this time of year. But when you don't know someone's faith, "Happy Holidays" is more polite. 

I have been known to correct those who know I am Jewish. It's not that I am offended by the words "Merry Christmas". It's just not my holiday and good people should think before they speak. 

Which gets me to other words that matter. 

Since when is it okay for a president of the United States or the Minority Leader of the U.S. Senate to use the "F" word in front of a mic on live T.V.?

I heard both Donald Trump and Senator Chuck Schumer do that recently. 

As a reporter, I head many a politician use that language in private, but they would often tone it down when reporters were listening or microphones were present. Use of foul language is a sign that the person speaking is not smart enough or does not care enough to come up with a better word. 

 There is less civility in today's politics, and word use has fallen to its lowest form. 

Four letter words are thrown around like normal verbs, and terms like Fascist, Nazi, Communist and Socialist are used without any apparent knowledge of their true political meaning. 

The incorrect use of terms or words without any concern about their effect on the public demeans us all and continues to damage the successful melting pot that built America.   

I could give you a list of the worst offenders, but you already know who they are. 

We need to put some civility back in our daily communication and show respect for people in general. Then we can move forward, instead of back into darkness. 

For this week, for those who celebrate the hard-won freedom of my people in ancient Judea (140 B.C.E.), Happy Chanukah. 

News You May Have Missed!

Font

Font style was apparently on the mind of Secretary of State Marco Rubio this past week. He directed the State Department to go back to using Times New Roman 14 point typeface for official papers, reversing the Biden Administration's update to sans-serif Calibri. 

(Courtesy State Department)

A spokesman for the State Department said it's in alignment with the President's directive that there be "One voice for America's Foreign Relations directive". The spokesman said it's "more formal and professional".

In 2023, the Biden Administration had changed to Calibri in official documents to make webpages and publications more accessible as recommended by disability groups. It's a cleaner type that works better than Times New Roman with its extra seraphs, for those using voiceover software 

to read. The Trump Administration calls the switch by the Biden Administration to Calibri "just another wasteful DEIA program."  This story is written in Calibri. The rest of the blog in Times New Roman. Which is cleaner???

Poll: Trump Popularity Down

As 2025 draws to a close, President Trump's approval rating continues to decline. A new NBC News poll shows the President's approval rating now

down to 42%, a decline of about 3% since April. But the poll also shows the intensity of that number has been both positive and negative. The share of people who "strongly approve" of Trump (21%) has dropped from 26% in April. And slightly more people now say they "strongly disapprove" is up 2% to 44%. 

The biggest drops came among Republicans and those who identify as MAGA Republicans. For example, 70% of MAGA Republicans strongly approve of Trump, but that is down 8% since April. 

The economy remains the major issue. Of those polled, 64% think the country is on the wrong track on the economy, compared to 60% at the beginning of the year. Top on the list of economic concerns is the cost of housing and cost of health care. 

There may also be bad news for Republicans in general going into the 2026 midterms. Over half of those polled (53%) said they trust the Democratic Party, while only 47% said they trust the GOP.  

The poll was conducted online from November 20 to December 8, with more than 20,000 respondents. It has a plus or minus margin of error of 1.9%

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/poll-trumps-maga-base-is-still-behind-him-but-cracks-are-showing-ahead-of-2026/ar-AA1Skdbc?ocid=BingNewsBrowse

Dumbest Quote of The Week!

This week's dumb quote comes from Republican U.S. Senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky.  Speaking about health insure on NBC's Meet the Press, he said:

 "My plan is this, let people on the Obamacare market, which is about 4% of America, a small number of people, let them buy their insurance through Costco, Sam's Club, Amazon and what would happen is once you get a large enough size, they'd be bigger than any corporation in America."

He thinks that would then give those who signed up negotiating power with Big Pharma and the Health insurance companies. Really? 

First, there are 45 million people on Obamacare. That's NOT a "small number" and much higher than 4%.   

Now, I love Costco. It's good for bulk buying and some discounts. But would I trust them with my health? Sorry, Senator. Your idea belongs in the trash heap with a lot of other crazy health care ideas suggested over the last few decades. 

 (You suggestions and comments  are welcome)

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