Category Archives: commoratio

Commoratio

Posted on February 20, 2023 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

Who else is trying to figure out what is happening in American politics, or maybe in American culture in general? We want to be galvanized by truth, instead we are doused with lies, up to our knees in lies that we know are lies and seemingly unable censure their purveyors. People who deserve respect are disrespected. People who deserve disrespect are respected. Racists, misogynists, xenophobes, adulterers, tax cheats, epic liars. They stand in line at the Republican Trough. They wait for their share of the spoils—their loyalty earns them power, and their power makes a difference. What has happened? It has always been this way? What about Civil Rights legislation? The truth prevailed. What about Women’s Suffrage? Truth prevailed. What about Social Security? Truth prevailed. Vietnam? We withdrew.

Now: 2023

Right to abortion? Gone. 70 (or more) people shot dead in public places since January 1. Assault weapons banned? No. Censorship in public schools? Yes. Student loan forgiveness? No. Never.

Blah, blah, blah. Same old crap, right? No. I was there when segregation fell. I saw truth and goodness prevail. Evil’s veil can be lifted and evil put in full view of people of good will; and there are people of good will.

But, you know, one person’s hope is another person’s fear (Stanley Fish). We make choices because we think they’re good. It is good to rob Cliff’s. So reasons the robber. So, the backdrop for all that’s happening consists of conflicted concepts of what’s good and the dialectic of hope and fear. I guess I this isn’t big news. The big news is that change is inevitable. Somebody will win. Divide and conquer.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

The Daily Trope is available on Amazon in paperback under the title of The Book of Tropes for $9.95. It is also available in Kindle format for $5.99.

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Commoratio

Posted on July 18, 2020 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

I think we are losing our train of thought. Remember, the strongest argument we can summon? I think it has something to do with his hair as a major reason to reelect him. As you will recall, we likened it to well- sculpted icing on a birthday cake, and then we drew the inference that it celebrates everything he stands for: unhealthy and deliciously wicked food, powerful arguments about birth certificates and citizenship–all he needs to do is point at his head and and smile and the electorate will bend to his will. He just needs to make sure that his finger does not stick to the “secret gel” his devoted hairdresser uses to shape his hair.

So, its all about the hair–it is a sort of hairku that mystically summons awareness of what’s up and what’s down by pointing toward what’s up and shooting at what’s down. His blinding white smile is like the burning bush. His hair knows God.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

The Daily Trope is available on Amazon in paperback under the title of The Book of Tropes for $9.95. It is also available in Kindle format for $5.99.

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Commoratio

Posted on November 1, 2017 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

I think we have to consider what’s tangible when we’re trying to establish what kind of cheese this is. To be sure, it is blue cheese, but there are around 40 cheeses characterized by veins of blue mold.

I think our best bet is to read the label on the cheese’s package! It says “Blue Cheese.” Ha Ha! Read the label–always a good idea.

So, what we have here is generic USA blue cheese.

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

The Daily Trope is available on Amazon in paperback under the title of The Book of Tropes for $9.95. It is also available in Kindle format for $5.99.

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Commoratio

Posted on February 12, 2017 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

The news is fact-based. Facts can be verified. Calling news “fake ” begs verification. That is, the assertion that a given news story is “fake” ought to be easily verified by all the tests of truthfulness operative on the Internet and anywhere else where verification of facts may be called for in order to engender belief.

To assert that news is “fake” without evidence that it is in fact fake, is actually, itself, fake news, or at best an unverified claim, awaiting verification before it can be taken seriously, and as a fact, believed.

The problem with the “fake news” movement is that it is in itself representative of unverified, and therefore potentially fake news.

So, if you’re going to call it “fake news” please offer some evidence as to why it’s fake–some line of argument that challenges its truthfulness with evidence linked to the verifiable world of facts (AKA reality).

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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Commoratio

Posted on February 6, 2015 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

The Internet is a ‘visible hand’ that releases and captures, captures and releases, displays and replays, replays and displays and strokes and stokes the reckless carnality of the 21st century.

From “I love F***ing Science” to “I love F***ing,” it’s gamut is gut-wrenching.  It prostitutes curiosity. It hollows out the truth. Its censor is psychosis. It cannot be cured.

  • Post your own commoratio on the “Comments” page!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

 

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Commoratio

Posted on June 6, 2008 | Leave a comment

Commoratio (kom-mor-a’-ti-o): Dwelling on or returning to one’s strongest argument. Latin equivalent for epimone.

Again, he has nothing new to say. His idea of change is changing places in the same old conversation with the same old partner and the same old content. The only change that takes place is whose turn it is to say the same old things–the conversation does not change. Well, it’s time to interrupt that conversation and take it in a new direction. It’s time to take our turn. It’s time to change the conversation. It’s time for a real change.

  • Post your own commoratio on the “Comments” page!

Definition courtesy of “Silva Rhetoricae” (rhetoric.byu.edu).

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