You learn something new every day.

Almost everyone knows the story of poor JFK, who said to a crowd of Germans, "Ich bin ein Berliner," a mistake which translates to "I am a Jelly Donut." It's a widely-told story, and lots of people laugh about it.

It's not true.

As you'll see here on this page, he said exactly what he meant to: "I am a citizen of Berlin," in the metaphorical sense. As I understand it from that article (and some verification via other research and consultation with a coworker who is fluent in German, being from there), a native would say "Ich bin Berliner," which would be a literal statement. The indefinite article "ein," however, makes it a metaphorical statement, much like "We are all New Yorkers/Londoners today."

Wish I'd known that previously. I feel so sheepish.

To Do List: July-August

Get new Driver's License
Join SCTA - IMPORTANT
Change name on all bills currently under Atreides
Get Elli's name placed on bills currently only in mine
Pay off credit card
Make interest payment on Student Loans

(no subject)

Ok, so my last post (now reproduced in my next post), about the incident in Fresno, was misunderstood by at least one person. So here's a fact:

Regardless of the title of that post, only the king of dimwits would assume I believed all police to be assholes based on one officer's actions.

I mean, come on, people. That's as bad as saying "This guy's art is lousy. Therefore all artists produce crap." Is there really someone on the planet who thinks that's what I would say? What are you, incapable of recognizing hyperbole born of anger?

Oh my god, I made a hyperbolic statement while angry! Oh my god, I believed a newspaper article! Oh my god, I must be the first person EVER to do such things!

Bitch, please.

Repost

I'd originally deleted this post and all the comments, but then I decided that was hasty and childish. So here it is, the whole thing:

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( Mahdi to Fresno Police: Get some perspective, assholes. )

Ok, so now some commentary:

Yes, you're right, O Anonymous person -- Law Enforcement is a dangerous --and worthwhile-- job, and if you knew me as well as you seem to, you'd know that not only do I also believe that, but I'm also willing to admit when police have screwed up. My dad -- the adopted one I knew -- worked in law enforcement for much of his life, and I spent the first half of my life around cops. I KNOW how important and valuable they are. But I also know that some of them -- SOME, not all-- are assholes who use their authority in ways that are totally inappropriate. I've seen it, and not just in the news.

Do I KNOW what happened? No. Hence my qualified "IF," used several times in this discussion. But IF the events unfolded as they are described, then yes, I would say that cop needs severe disciplinary action. Maybe losing his job is too much; I don't pretend to know that, honestly. But when I wrote that post, I was angry and I was venting in a personal journal. I'm not pretentious enough to believe that anyone is reading my journal and taking their cues from my opinions, so I'm not sure where you think I'm causing a problem. Hell, most of my "friends" rarely agree with me on a ton of issues.

By the way, since you're so big on facts:

I'm not gay. I was in a relationship with a man, yes. But I was with women before him, and I'm currently married to a woman. Get your terms straight, hmm? It's a minor point, but since you felt the need to use it, I felt the need to correct you.