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Page 14 April 1998 The AC Phoenix Kings Use Royal ‘We,’ But Candidates Can’t Say ‘Me’ by C.W. Gusewelle T he voters of America do not trust politicians who speak of themselves in the third person. At best, it is an affectation. At worst, it could be a symptom of a personality disorder. People are reluctant to hand over power to someone for whom public office is an out-of-body experience. "Barney P. Blather is the right man for the country." It's all right if his campaign manager says that. Or even Mrs. Blather and the little Blathers. But when Barney himself says it, it sounds - well, weird. Why should we take his word for it, when he doesn't even know himself on a first- name basis? Consider how some of history's great rhetorical moments would have been spoiled by the speaker trying to distance himself from himself. "Nathan Hale only regrets that he has but one life to lose for his country." Or, "Patrick Henry knows not what course others may take, but as for him, give him liberty, or give him death!" Or, "Douglas MacArthur shall return." Avoidance of the first person would not have diminished those gentleman as patriots. But it's unlikely such stilted pro nouncements would have found their way into Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. It's a curious conceit, to which the truly great seldom if ever succumb. From Old Testament prophets to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Albert Schweitzer and Mother Teresa, there is no record of really remarkable people referring to themselves by name, as if they were speaking of someone they admired and would be pleased to get to know better. I think I understand why ordinary folks find the mannerism so annoying. Nearly all of us were children once. When we were small and powerless, people were always speaking to us in that screwy, condescending way. "Do as Daddy says," Daddy would say - as if somehow we didn't know who Daddy was, or understand that because of his size his authority over us was absolute. "Mommy would like for you to wash your hands before dinner," said We Welcome Each and Every One to the Services of Hi-Thom Church of Christ 1726 East Kivett Drive • (910)883-2835 HIGH POINT. NORTH CAROLINA 27261 Where you are Always Our Honored Guest Sunday Morning Bible Study 10:00 a.m. Morning Worship Service 11:00a.m. Evening Worship Service 6:00 pm. Wednesday Mid'Week Bible Study 7:00 pm. “Now I beseech you, brethren, by THE name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye All speak the same thing and that there be no divi sions among you." ICor. 1:10 JAMES JONES, JR., Minister CLIFFORD S DAVIS, Senior Evangelist Mommy. It might be a stretch to call that slop dinner. But Mommy held all the cards. You washed your hands or you went hungry. Kings, Popes and Siamese twins speak of themselves in the imperial we. Some politicians, like parents, prefer the even greater majesty of the third per son. It enables them to ascribe to them selves qualities of excellence, foresight and statesmanship that modesty would not otherwise permit. "Barney Blather knows what's best for America." The words issue shamelessly from candidate Blather's own lips. It's the same patronizing tone of authority we remember from when we were children. But we are not small and powerless any more. And Barney, after all, is just old Barney - not a legend in his time. He can speak of himself as "I," or he can look for other work. Russell Funeral Home 722-3454 lohnson-Howard Robinson Home of Memories 785-3910 Hooper Funeral Home 724- 1561 Brown Clarks and Sons Funeral Home 722-8117 ForsyOt Funeral Home, Inc. 725- 9729 »TAri INIVtAHlI STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANIES HOME OFFICES BLOOMINGTON. ILLINOIS Joseph R. Daniels Agent 1157 Silas Creek Parkway Parkway Plaza Shopping Center Office: 336-724-9257 Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27127 Fax:336-723-0601 Happy Easter WE INVITE YOU TO to Everyone WORSHIP WITH US! A Ambassador Temple Bishop-Elect Edward Allen “Take time to focus on the reason for the season" 801 Martin Luther King Drive Thomasville, NC
The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 1, 1998, edition 1
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