10 Comments
тна Return to thread

Great points Bob Morgan and Beverly Falls. I would add one more complaint regarding titles granted: stop referring to Trump as 'President'! His is NOT, and if we all have anything to do with it, nor will he ever be again. Far too many of his sycophants use this title liberally on his behalf.

Expand full comment

Eliz, while I hear you and your complaint about calling the former guy President, that is protocol. And most journalists still follow such protocol. Does it stick in my craw when I hear it? Absolutely. Yet if involved in writing or editing anything gor a newspaper or even a letter to the editor, I would use it myself. Hate it, yet the office of President of the United States deserves respect even if the former occupant neither earned nor deserves such. Rock meet hard place. Ugh.

Expand full comment

No, it's not protocol, and I don't remember any other former president being called that. Per Emily Post "When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is тАЬMr. LastName.тАЭ (тАЬPresident LastNameтАЭ or тАЬMr. PresidentтАЭ are terms reserved for the current head of state.) This is true for other ex-officials, as well." https://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of-the-united-states

Expand full comment

I refuse to refer to him as "ex-," "former-," or even "failed-." It's like fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear news commentators refer to him with any one of the variants. I will say, though, tradition and norms (which he routinely shreds) dictate addressing him as "Mr. President." As distasteful as it is, I'll forgive that, if used sparingly.

Expand full comment

Tradition doesn't. Per Emily Post "When addressing a former President of the United States in a formal setting, the correct form is тАЬMr. LastName.тАЭ (тАЬPresident LastNameтАЭ or тАЬMr. PresidentтАЭ are terms reserved for the current head of state.) This is true for other ex-officials, as well. When talking about the person to a third party, on the other hand, itтАЩs appropriate to say, тАЬformer President LastName.тАЭ This holds for introductions, as well: A current state governor is introduced as тАЬGovernor Tom Smith,тАЭ while youтАЩd introduce an ex-governor as тАЬformer Governor Jim Bell.тАЭ https://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of-the-united-states

I want to scream whenever they call Trump "President Trump". He is NOT the president!

Expand full comment

Interesting!

Expand full comment

Just say "the felon" - they'll know who you mean !

Expand full comment

ESPECIALLY after he tried to stop the transfer of power!!!

Expand full comment

Exactly! I share your complaint. Thank you for stating it!!

Expand full comment

YYYESSSSS!

Expand full comment