Discussion: Garrett Requests Email Audit Of His Own Congressional Staff

“Garrett hosted a bizarre, free wielding press conference”

Try "free-wheeling" Josh.

And hire a damn copy editor!!

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That’s some pretty harsh criticism you just wheeled…

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I assume he wants the find the leakers, apparently four former staffers who complained to Politico. But then what?

An alcoholic bent on revenge. What could go wrong?

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I don’t know. Maybe he was a wielding a cocktail glass in a threatening manner?

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Perhaps, like some men in my family he was a welder. But they didn’t work for free.

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The definition of wielding is: hold and use (a weapon or tool), e.g., “a masked raider wielding a handgun”

Based on the above, perhaps Garrett really did wield a press conference. Just be glad he didn’t shoot anyone.

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As crazy as things have gotten, it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was dual wielding. You know, maybe Florentine style.

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The really sad thing about the typos at TPM is that the vast majority are just that: typos. Most any decent, off-the-shelf word processing software program would catch them. I’m betting that whatever software TPM is using would catch (question) these problems. If not, there are many, powerful, inexpensive programs out there that could eliminate some of the most embarrassing mistakes.

I’m gonna make a guess that it’s because many writers disable the editing/proofing function in the software because it can be extremely frustrating.

Grammar software works in algorithms that are based on laws and the laws of English grammar are complicated, contradictory, and static. Language isn’t static. It is dynamic and constantly changing and the software can’t keep up.

The answer is easy. Disable the function while you’re writing then turn it back on right before you submit it.

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That was not a typo. It was ignorance.
It was an instance of gross misuse of a word that sounded vaguely like the word that should have been used.

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Of all the comments on TPM’s typos / other assorted grammar lapses over the years (and I’ve made my share of cutting remarks about this before pretty much giving up) yours may be the smartest take on this that I’ve seen.

I think it’s pretty clear that the consensus among us commenters (or at least those of us who have commented on this problem) is that TPM ought to have a copy editor reviewing stuff before it’s published.

But it’s pretty clear that for whatever reason that’s not the way Josh wants to operate his site.

Unless / until that changes, your suggestion on the use of spellcheck / grammar check software makes good sense. And even if they do eventually hire a copy editor, it probably still makes sense for the writers to use the software before turning their copy over to the copy editor.

I would just add that aside from any software use, if the system is that the writers have to serve as their own proofreader / copy editor, then after completing the initial writing, they should try setting it aside for at least a few minutes and doing something else, then come back to it with “fresh eyes” and give it a thorough proofread.

This is based on my own personal experience that I can easily miss rather obvious errors in my own writing, when I’ve been looking at it over and over…but can often spot those errors pretty easily if I take a break for a bit, then come back to it.

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Ignorance? You don’t no nothing! ( :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:}

Well if you supported the site by becoming a prime member maybe they’d hire one.

I’ve been a Prime member since they began the memberships.

Try again.

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When I first became an editor, I had the luxury of being to able edit most documents twice, mainly because they were dense, technical reports. The edits were like scrutinizing the forest and then the trees. The first edit was for content and my attention was focused on the narrative and I didn’t let the grammar problems break my concentration, if possible. Then after a small break and a shift in focus I would go after the trees: cap or lowercase; which, that, or who; subject and verb agreement; and all the things a good copy editor does.

When I’m writing for myself, I do a pretty good job with the forest: not so good with the trees.

You’re right about the pause and the final proof. It’s essential. I think of it as being “penny wise and pound foolish.” I may save 5 minutes by not doing it, but if someone else catches it, we both lose time, or worse, no one catches it and I look like a junior high student who has been napping during whatever they call English composition these days.

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Rather than obsessing over a typo, I think the fact that Garrett apparently was trying to find out the content of emails sent/received by some of his staff is more significant. While I have no difficulty believing that Garrett is an alcoholic, I wonder whether his public admission that he is an alcoholic is designed to give him an “excuse” if someone claims that he acted inappropriately in a particular instance.

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I believe they call it Twitter Time. :smile:

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[quote=“xkenji, post:16, topic:72970, full:true”]
Rather than obsessing over a typo, I think the fact that Garrett apparently was trying to find out the content of emails sent/received by some of his staff is more significant. [/quote]

Very true. It’s a worthy story, for sure.

Oh I don’t think there’s anything to “wonder” about there. That’s clearly the purpose.

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That might be a fair criticism aimed at a shameless Free Rider like me, but it seems like a rather odd criticism to aim at TCN…the “Prime” logo is right there under his avatar (at least it is on my screen).

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I took it as a snarky comment that TPM’s answer to everything is to join Prime.

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