Over fifty years ago when DIOGENES REMARKS first visited America we realised that Mr. Churchill was correct when he spoke of two peoples divided by a common language. There was we discovered a great deal more than a few differently spelt words to this division. There seems to be no knowledge in America of adverbs and their usage therefore rarely if ever occurs. The second and much more confusing, even after some fifty odd years, is the negative question. To be grammatically correct in English one can not formulate a question in this manner, it becomes a statement not a question. How often does one hear an American interviewers ask " Don't you think that ----?" whereas it should be "Do you think that ----?". Even more fascinating is the double negative "Don't you think that he didn't -------?". How on earth is one supposed to answer this piece of fractured English and even more puzzling such 'questions' are asked in the Courts to obtain evidence and often followed by "Just answer 'yes' or 'no" - it all leaves one quite bewildered.
This has left a negative mark on conversations in America which causes misunderstandings at best and angry confusion at worst. The current Administration, one of the worst in the recent history of America, is adding to this confusion. One hears an Obama statement, usually far too long and belabouring the point, which leaves one numb and puzzled. This from a Harvard educated associate law professor one might add.
On the international scene these statements are often followed by a 'clarification' from the Secretary of State or god forbid the Vice President on one of his foreign trips. During the last year this has caused diplomatic insult and resentment worldwide which again the Secretary of State has to later try and resolve.
On the recent national local scene the Obama negative statement in regard to the signing of a law in the State of Arizona by the Governor of that State. The law covers Immigration and it is based on the existing Federal Immigration Law to such that the words Federal were changed to refer to the State of Arizona. Now currently the Obama Administration is not enforcing this Federal Law, however under 'States Rights' the State of Arizona chose to enact and enforce it in their State. Obama ended up being critical of a legal Federal Law which his Administration should be currently enforcing.
As a former law professor and an African-American, indeed thought by many to be born in Kenya, the current President should know that Americas 'War between the States' was caused by violation of 'States Rights'. Going back to the setting of the Mason-Dixon Line which consists of the Tangent Line, North Line, Arc Line, and 39* 43' N parallel of latitude. This in turn created the 'North' and the 'South' of Americas States, one of the principal issues of States Rights being the use of slave labour. Forbidden in the North but accepted for the South which depended on such labour to survive as an agricultural based economy.
When this President was inaugurated most people thought that it was a positive step many of whom are now the active supporters of the 'Tea Party' movement against his policies and decision-making. Instead of bringing Americans together Obama has divided the country with policies forced through Congress with little or no regard to the opinions of the people. After eighteen months in office it is clear that regardless of "We the People" his Administration is determined to put in place a Socialist Dis-United States of America patterned after the European Union - a European Union West.
One wonders why - this is Americas ultimate negative question.
