For those who know, no explanation is necessary … (via blogsense-by-barb)

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"For those who know,no explanation is necessary.For those who don't,no explanation is possible." Our "mission" in the Middle East conflicts is as vague as President Obama's stand on … ANY issue. There seems to be no goal, no clearly defined objective, and without that, how can those actively involved (or we) know if progress is being made? I'm sure I'm not the only one around here with military contacts, and this is the consensus of the opinion … Read More

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Live Free or Die! (via blogsense-by-barb)

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"When I first moved to New Hampshire, where this appears on our license plates, I assumed General Stark had said it before some battle or other—a bit of red meat to rally the boys for the charge; a touch of the old Henry V-at-Agincourt routine. But I soon discovered that the general had made his famous statement decades after the war, in a letter regretting that he would be unable to attend a dinner. And in a curious way I found that even more im … Read More

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A Hard Truth ~ Each American is Responsible! (via blogsense-by-barb)

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All great change in America begins at the dinner table." ~ Ronald Reagan ~ What is more central to a civilization, a culture than the family unit? The strength and design of the family defines the culture, and, as such, its future. What is a Family? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a family is “a group of two or more people who reside together and who are related by birth, marriage, or adoption” (U.S. Census Bureau). Though this definition se … Read More

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The EXITs of This World Have Become the Kingdoms of Heretics.

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Inspired by bekindrewrite ~ Inspiration Monday IX

The EXITs of this world have become the kingdoms of heretics. Camped at the gates live strangers filled with stormy gasps and radioactive bullets ready to camphor any who dare to pass. They didn’t come by their present location by fury or by lead, but in most cases, at least, they wandered lonely as a deer, dazed and amazed to the isolated posts.

One might think with all the hoopla, that peace was at last a dialope, but I fear that is not the case. There will always be revenge. Lost forever are the frituitous moments of glory and gain, and all because of the sagific forces drawing us all yorward.

I, too, wandered lonely as a deer, but frankly bekindered by a local farmer, I was healed and sewn into something akin to jituism near his very kingdom. That alone was my irsatic. I am forever grateful for the pleasure gesotted upon me. He tended my wounds and tenderly hunered me, even though I was different and tinivedun.

On every path, I am told, there are now enthroned heretics and beggars, chiefs and peasants, thieves and saints guarding the exits. I do not know when or if I will access my account, but it will need to be soon, or ide yrting. So many have gone before me, and none donuf cessus. Yet will I valiant afford. Yet will I quish zet all. Thank you for your pishnied. I will flavor it always in gull.

For now … au revoir …

P.S. not sure how to “ping” back?

What the Heck is Passive Voice, Anyway???

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Once again, I clicked the “Publish” button only to discover more underlined phrases indicated as PASSIVE VOICE. What the heck! It’s VERY annoying!

What is PASSIVE VOICE? It’s a hard thing to define because there is no ALWAYS. Many times, the use of “have” or “be” indicates a passive voice, but not always. It comes down to who or what is going on in the sentence … and by whom or what!

Consider the following examples:

The ball was caught by the dog.

What, if anything, is the action? If there is action, what is at the beginning of the sentence? Is it the person or thing performing the action? In the sentence above, yes, there is action: a ball is being caught. At the beginning of the sentence, is the OBJECT of the action, rather than the performer of the action. The sentence also contains a form of the verb “to be” (was) and a past participle (caught). Therefore, this sentence is PASSIVE VOICE.

Try this one: The peony has been crushed by the rowdy dogs next to the tree.

Action: yes
Beginning, performer of action or recipient of action? Recipient (The dogs were not crushed, the peony was crushed.)
“To be” verb: has been
Past participle: crushed

One more: The rowdy dogs crushed the peony next to the tree.

Action: yes
Beginning, performer of action or recipient of action? Ah, performer of the action!
“To be” verb: none
Past participle: crushed
Because the action is performed by the subject, and there is no use of “to be” verb, this is ACTIVE VOICE sentence.

Get it?

Try this one:

When her room was ransacked, Samantha had to think of ways to avoid the subject with her boyfriend.

Action: yes
At the Beginning: recipient of action
“To be” verb: was
Past participle: ransacked

We can correct passive voice by simply re-ordering the words. This will change the voice from passive to active and clarify the meaning of the sentence.

When the thief violated her room, Samantha had to think of ways to avoid the subject with her boyfriend.

PASSIVE VOICE is a common issue. It does not necessarily constitute a grammatical error, but rather, a stylistic problem.

PASSIVE: The peony has been crushed by the rowdy dogs next to the tree.
ACTIVE: The rowdy dogs crushed the peony next to the tree.

Notice the active voice sentence has more clarity. The meaning is easier to determine. English professors and writing instructors often require the complete elimination of passive voice from academic writing. I just want the proofreader to pass me through without underline!