12 Comments

The apostrophe is a good explanation, but why is it necessary?

Trump&lots of other people organized and paid for Madison Square Garden. In a state Trump will never win. This rally was not coy. It was meant to be a replica of the 1939 American Nazi rally. Many of the same banners&slogans.

After this rally, jumping on a phrase out of Biden’s mouth(which BTW Trump has used many times for liberals)is not comparable.

Trump&his minions wanted a Nazi rally. They got a Nazi rally. Own it&quit being offended by other ppl being horrified by what the GOP was obviously selling.

Expand full comment

Ezra Klein in The NY Times is describing the Trumpists as “counterrevolutionaries”. Apparently he still can’t bring himself to use the far more accurate word: Fascists.

Expand full comment

Beautifully said. Thank you.

Expand full comment

I saw a clip put together showing some of the many times the fpotus has called anyone who opposes or criticizes him as garbage, vermin, trash, and worse. (I cannot find the clip again, at the moment, but we've all seen fpotus's rants). MSM reports such remarks by him as "disapproving", or some other polite euphemism. On the other hand, one remark by Biden, out of context, produces a deluge of MSM outrage and disgust from Republicans. It is sickening to see MSM obeying fascism in advance. We are fortunate to read writers on Substack that speak the truth and embrace reality.

Expand full comment

This is a fantastic essay that I'm sharing with everyone I know. And as a linguist, I'll note that—notwithstanding that subject-verb agreement is being observed by fewer and fewer English-speakers in general—if Biden had meant "supporters" without the apostrophe, he'd have said *are*!his supporters rather than *is* his supporters' (with apostrophe), which is what he actually said.

Expand full comment

Absolutely! The syntax of the statement clearly indicates the meaning....the apostrophe could go before or after the "s"....garbage belonging to the singular "comedic" supporter or multiple supporters. But either way always singular "garbage" "is" floating...never "are" floating. That plural "are" isn't used means the term garbage is definitely not standing in for plural supporters.

Expand full comment

Thank you, kind man.

Expand full comment

One of your best essays, Jamo. Thanks!

Expand full comment

Strong piece, JF. Well done.

Expand full comment

Outstanding post

Expand full comment

So eloquent thank you for everything you do

Expand full comment

RepubliKKKan voters are garbage. Whether the word "supporter" was intended as a possessive form, or a plural form makes no difference to me. They are fascist garbage. I see they are all embracing the garbage label and dressing in trash bags. Now I wish President Biden had called them nose pickers.

Expand full comment