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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsPompeo Cracks down on Improper Use of Commas at the State Department: CNN (yes,this is real)
https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/19/politics/pompeo-commas-state-department/index.htmlThis is about the current Secretary of State ..Mike Pompeo
By Michelle Kosinski and Jennifer Hansler, CNN
Updated 2:25 PM ET, Wed September 19, 2018
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Iran, North Korea, Syria and ... commas. While Mike Pompeo is focused on a number of key geopolitical concerns, an email obtained by CNN suggests that the secretary of state also appears to have had it, up to, here, with, the rampant, improper use of commas by State Department staff.
In the last few months, two emails have gone out from Pompeo's top staff to employees throughout the State Department giving careful, meticulous instructions on comma usage.
The latest email, sent in early September and obtained by CNN, gives "updated guidance ... regarding correct use of commas in paper for Department principals."
"The Secretary has underscored the need for appropriate use of commas in his paper (both their inclusion and omission)," the email declares. It also notes that Pompeo prefers adherence to the Chicago Manual of Style, which states "effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with the goal being ease of reading."
The email includes a long string of examples, including many from the Chicago Manual of Style, outlining when a comma should be added and when it should be excluded, and providing detailed explanations for both -- along with color-coded highlighting.
(rest is at link)
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comment: Well, I have watched politics for many years. I cannot recall a grammar enthusiast in charge of any department...Not only grammar, but particular class of grammar: commas. ...When you think you have seen it all, there is always more. (I forgot the period but this has been corrected..) see below
PJMcK
(22,037 posts)(wink)
Stuart G
(38,436 posts)WhiteTara
(29,718 posts)Three holes in the ground.
underpants
(182,837 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,003 posts)politicaljunkie41910
(3,335 posts)dumbcat
(2,120 posts)Oxford comma?
Stuart G
(38,436 posts)I guess they are specialists. Some are into commas, and some more are interested in periods. (.) You never really know what you will learn right here at Democratic Underground.
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)They come and gooooooo, they come and goooo-oo-oo-ooo.
CatMor
(6,212 posts)lapfog_1
(29,205 posts)Bracketed by the facts, department members brace themselves for an onslaught of parenthetical rules on proper punctuation, period. But they question the outcome of such exclamations by the Secretary.
ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)As do tautologies and pleonasms.
DavidDvorkin
(19,479 posts)unc70
(6,115 posts)SharonClark
(10,014 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)Sneederbunk
(14,292 posts)Marthe48
(16,975 posts)good one, Sneederbunk
Takket
(21,578 posts)Blue_playwright
(1,568 posts)... May very well be the only thing he ever does that I agree with on principle.
Marthe48
(16,975 posts)Said America
(Thank you H.Allen Smith for another perfect quote)
mahatmakanejeeves
(57,513 posts)I work at {some other place}. When we got a new boss, she let people know what sort of punctuation and grammar style she expected.
I have two editions of the Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual and, even better, a copy of The Little, Brown Handbook from 1980 in my cubicle. I can call up the GPO Style Manual online.
Every agency and department wants its paperwork to show consistency.
Revanchist
(1,375 posts)Oxford (serial) commas for life!
edhopper
(33,591 posts)that strict grammarians, though I am sure they have many positive characteristics as well, often overlook the substance of what is written and concentrate too much on the style.
As Emerson said, foolish consistency...and all that.
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,350 posts)If I don't notice any error, the comprehension is improved.
Maybe thats just me.
Apostrophe hawks should be circling ...
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)Proud Liberal Dem
(24,415 posts)we have an actual "Grammar Nazi" in the WH?
struggle4progress
(118,297 posts)fantase56
(444 posts)Let's eat grandma.
Let's eat, grandma.
........
Commas save lives!