Reply #414: "Using her grief from the death of her son" [View All]

[The Doctor.]

That's a very fine distinction, but a syllogism nonetheless.

Indeed, 'using her grief' hasn't nearly the impact, nor the 'appeal' that an editor looks for. "Using her son's death" both impacts the reader and describes her grief indirectly.

"Son's death" conveys her motive far more effectively than "Her grief" does.

Now if they had said, "Whose grief over the loss of her son in Iraq has spurred the anti-war movement..." They would be imparting empathy to the reader.

While I can certainly agree that she deserves our empathy and support, we should take care to understand their position.

If anyone feels so strongly, they should write KOMO News and cordially inquire why they chose that particular phrase, then perhaps suggest some more neutral alternatives.

I can't think of one right now.