Playing With Quotes

What one can do with deleting a word or letter here or there – adding a single word or letter somewhere – or changing the punctuation a little, can make something totally different from what was actually said or written or meant. I am sure you have seen those kinds of things along the way. I keep seeing them again and again as new generations see them for the first time.

Here’s an example of what I mean: “The Sanctuary Choir will sin on Sunday.” Simply adding a “g” will change the entire action of said Choir – not to mention the thoughts of everyone who reads the sentence. I was reading a couple of quotes in the “News” this morning and I couldn’t help but “rewrite” the quotes to make them sound more accurate to me. You might not appreciate  my changes – so I will give  you permission to “join the Choir.” Heaven only knows what they are up to.

In speaking of  a Congress person who seems surprised that the “intelligence community” is tapping phones, an “official” said: “We’re really screwed now,” the official said. “You know things are bad when the few friends you’ve got disappear without a trace in the dead of night and leave no forwarding address.”  [Senator] Feinstein called for a “major review into all intelligence collection programs. It is abundantly clear that a total review of all intelligence programs is necessary so that members of the Senate Intelligence Committee are fully informed as to what is actually being carried out by the intelligence community,” Feinstein said. “

I think it is possible to make a part of that statement a little more accurate by deleting a word or three and changing at least one, and, of course, making it less verbose. Let me know if you think it reads better:

“We’re really screwed now,” the official American public said. “You know things are bad when the few friends Representatives you’ve got disappear without a trace in the dead of night and leave no forwarding address.” Feinstein called for a “major review into all  everyone’s intelligence. It is abundantly clear that a total review of all intelligence programs is necessary so that  members of the Senate Intelligence Committee are fully informed as to what is actually being carried out by the intelligence community, going on,” Feinstein said.

Yep, I think that is bit more accurate and truthful.