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So, the 2.97 seconds it takes to put on your seat belt is just too long a period to make economic sense. | The 2.97 seconds it takes to put on your seat belt doesn't make economic sense | 6 |
L'affaire Brown was worth maybe one story in Slate . When you reach the point of needing a roundup, you might want to re-examine your editorial priorities. | L'affaire was worth one story to Slate. When you reach the point of needing a roundup, re-examine your priorities. | 6 |
In the case of the Examiner , it's weirdly uncomfortable to read its coverage, sort of like listening to an elderly relative talk obsessively about his own imminent death. | In the case of the Examiner, its coverage is like listening to elderly talk about their own imminent death. | 6 |
If amusing but ultimately unusable newspaper clippings are the dust bunnies of a free-lance humorist's living room, then the News Quiz Spring Cleaning Extra is the rug under which to sweep them. | If ultimately unusable newspaper clippings are the clutter, then the News Quiz Spring Cleaning Extra is the rug under which to sweep them. | 6 |
As 1998 has drawn to a close, I have found myself in evaluation mode and have felt ever increasingly blue and bluer. | As 1998 ends, I've been in evaluation mode and have felt increasingly blue and bluer. | 6 |
EUROPEN FOR BUSINESS: Now that the money is a different color, foreigners will be able to buy a lot more things, or perhaps a lot fewer. | Now that the money is a different color, foreigners will be able to buy more things, or perhaps fewer. | 6 |
Question: "They're really in the vanguard of setting the agenda for the corporate culture along the lines of the radical gay movement." | Are they setting the agenda for the corporate culture like the radical gay movement? | 6 |
Since it is stated that Prudie "responds to questions about manners, personal relations, politics, and other subjects," here's one about politics--sort of. | Since it is stated that Prudie "responds to questions about manners and other subjects," here's one about politics. | 6 |
Then there's the underplayed fact that Fitzsimmons' mendacity could not possibly have influenced the national debate, because the segments of the Nightline interview in which Fitzsimmons says he lied through his teeth never aired! | Fitzsimmons' mendacity could not possibly have influenced the national debate, the nightline interview in which Fitzsimmons says he lied through his teeth never aired! | 6 |
2) White House staffers, including Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, are contacting members of Congress to see how they would react to a mea culpa . | White House staffers are contacting members of Congress to see how they would react to a mea culpa. | 6 |
--Did steward Bayani Nelvis see Clinton and Monica alone in the study near the Oval Ofice, as reported in the Wall Street Journal ? | Did Bayani Nelvis see Clinton and Monica in the study near the Oval Office as reported in the WSJ? | 6 |
It is possible to search for words other than Bill Gates , but that is not recommended, and Slate cannot be held responsible for the result. | It isn't recommended that words other than Bill Gates be searched, Slate is not liable for the results. | 6 |
"By a curious paradox Richard Nixon was one of the very few people who emerged from the Watergate affair with credit." | "Richard Nixon was one of the few people who emerged from the Watergate with credit." | 6 |
The writer Edward Jay Epstein has sent Chatterbox the following e-mail message, subject: "Preliminary Concerns I Have About Monica and Other Babes From Beverly Hills." | Edward Jay Epstein has sent an e-mail, subject "Preliminary Concerns I have About Monica and Other Babes From Beverly Hills." | 6 |
Newsweek previews the summer blockbusters: The Lost World , Men in Black , and Hercules should do well; Titanic may sink. | Newsweek previews the blockbusters: The Lost World , Men in Black, Hercules, and Titanic. | 6 |
e) Protected herself with immunity when she needed to, even though her testimony would do enormous harm to Clinton and the nation. | Protected herself with immunity, even though her testimony would do harm to Clinton. | 6 |
"Barnes & Noble continues to permit browsing, instead of forcing its tightwad, cappuccino-swilling, pick-up-minded clientele to BUY the books they have pawed through." | Barnes & Noble continues to permit browsing, instead of forcing its clientele to BUY the books they have pawed through. | 6 |
Krugman seems to cast himself as a white blood corpuscle defending the body of economics against the invading pathogens of the liberal reformers. | Krugman casts himself as a white blood corpuscle defending economics against pathogens of the liberals. | 6 |
It could have been a movie I haven't yet seen: Tim Roth's The War Zone , Hurricane , Any Given Sunday , Errol Morris's Mr. Death . | I haven't seen Tim Roth's The War Zone, Hurricane, Any Given Sunday or Errol Morris's Mr. Death. | 6 |
I mention this history, rather than dueling with Sedlak and Broadhurst's statistics, because I think that it exemplifies their selective presentation of information. | I mention this history because I think that it exemplifies their selective presentation of information. | 6 |
Currently working out of Oliver North's old office, Clarke maintains a lighthearted attitude toward the law that has not discouraged President Clinton from expanding counterterror activities into an $11 billion a year endeavor. | Clarke maintains a lighthearted attitude toward a law allowing President Clinton to expand counterterror activities into an $11 billion a year endeavor. | 6 |
New chairman, Tim Zagat, announced that his first act will be to change the name of the organization to "NY & Company," presumably to make it clear whose interests the city will continue to serve. | Zagat announced that he will change the name to "NY & Company," to make it clear whose interests the city will continue to serve. | 6 |
B ribing poor women and girls to implant Norplant would coerce them into not having children, thus violating their rights to reproductive choice, like the one-child-per-family policy and coerced abortions in China. | Bribing women and girls to implant Norplant would coerce them into not having children, violating their rights to reproductive choice, like the policy in China. | 6 |
Dr. Veerabhadran Ramanathan's team from the National Science Foundation and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was surprised by the extent, thickness, and persistence. | Dr. Ramanathan's team from the NSF and the Scripps institute was surprised by the extent, thickness, and persistence. | 6 |
I think you got it, but I'm not sure, and since I appreciate your weekly advice I wanted to be clear. | I think you got it, but I'm not sure and I would like to be clear. | 6 |
8. Will Hillary stick with Bill or ditch him like a hot potato as soon as he is out of office? | Will Hillary stick with Bill or ditch him when he is out of office? | 6 |
McColl's insistence that the new bank's headquarters are in perpetual motion, swirling around him, didn't satisfy many natives, who wondered why one of the deal's few specific stipulations was moving HQ out of San Francisco. | McColl's urging that the new bank's HQ's are in perpetual motion, didn't satisfy natives, who wondered why one of the deal's caveats was moving HQ from San Francisco. | 6 |
As I said, I'm sometimes less genial than my fellow Oklahomans, so I trust that you will not take these remarks as a reflection upon their general temperament. | I'm less genial than most Oklahomans. Don't take these remarks as a reflection upon their general temperament. | 6 |
Yet Stein can now write: "But I know of nothing in his behavior to me, to my family, to Israel, or to Jews in general that entitles him to anything less than my total loyalty." | Stein wrote, "I know of nothing in his behavior to me, my family, or to Jews in general that entitles him to less than my loyalty." | 6 |
Q: Does Betty Loren-Maltese think her law should apply to convicted felons like her late husband and to those in organized crime? | Does Betty Loren-Maltese think her law should apply to felons and those in organized crime? | 6 |
Also in Newsweek , a column on the Helsinki summit concludes that it was successful but barely newsworthy, since Russia is so weak. | A column on the Helsinki summit concludes that it was successful, since Russia is so weak. | 6 |
Issue 3, Bob Bennett's decision not to detail Paula Jones' love life for the court, is portrayed as the triumph of politics over sound legal strategy (Robert Novak, Capital Gang ; George Will). | Bob Bennett's decision not to detail Paula Jones' love life in court is seen as a triumph of politics over legal strategy. | 6 |
As for Prudie's thoughts, she is sick of the subject, and to distract herself from the pharmacological drama going on she is entertained by imagining the drug being given to Dr. Judah Folkman's mice. | Prudie is sick of the subject, and imagines the drug being given to Dr. Folkman's mice. | 6 |
BC (with rising delight): No couple in public life has ever done as much to try and figure out how to help families. | BC (with rising delight): No couple has put in as much effort to help families. | 6 |
Thank you to everyone in the Fray who's taken the time to comment on this month's "" ["Enquiring Minds in Slovakia"]. | Thank you to everyone who commented on this month's "Enquiring Minds in Slovakia". | 6 |
Both the NYT and WP quote an expert's observation that the recent trend of school shootings has accelerated from single specific victims to indiscriminate multiple homicides. | The trend of school shootings has accelerated from single specific victims to non-specific multiple homicides. | 6 |
B. "A Thai group this week threatened to sue 20 th Century Fox, claiming The Beach , starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was responsible for the destruction of a beach in a protected national park area." | "A Thai group threatened to sue 20th Century Fox, claiming The Beach, was responsible for the destruction of a protected national park." | 6 |
In horse country, everyone will always remember precisely where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the news that Cigar was shooting blanks. | Everyone will remember where and what they were doing when they first heard the news that Cigar was shooting blanks. | 6 |
2) Franzoni worked with Punch Productions for six to eight months as a writer on the "Echo of Lions Project" while Punch was licensed to use Chase-Riboud's book and helped pitch this project to Warner Bros. | Franzoni worked with Punch Productions as a writer on the "Echo of Lions Project" and helped pitch this project to Warner Bros. | 6 |
The president's gun buy-back plan does not include a proposal to eliminate the middleman and funnel the $15 million directly to Smith & Wesson. | The president's gun buy-back plan lacks a proposal to cut the middleman and funnel money to Smith & Wesson. | 6 |
Midwest stoicism being what it is, Dole still seems uncomfortable talking about the wounds that nearly killed him as he lead (sic) a platoon up an Italian hill April 12, 1945. | Dole seems uncomfortable talking about wounds that nearly killed him as he led a platoon up an Italian hill. | 6 |
Surely it's assembled with a goofy sort of ethnic pride, but once it's on the Posse Comitatus site, does that matter? | Does it matter if it's assembled with ethnic pride once on the Posse Comitatus site? | 6 |
Boone, Iowa -- Today the Democratic contest felt a lot like 1992, with Al Gore playing Bill Clinton and Bill Bradley cast involuntarily in the role of Paul Tsongas. | Boone, Iowa -- Today the Democratic contest felt like 1992, with Gore playing Clinton and Bradley playing Paul Tsongas. | 6 |
I look forward to reading his future nitpickings; I just hope that somewhere along the way he develops a sense of humor. | I look forward to reading his nitpickings; I just hope he develops a sense of humor. | 6 |
The night before the game, Eugene Robinson, one of five Falcons visiting the zone north of downtown Miami, was arrested for soliciting a prostitute. | Eugene Robinson, a Falcon visiting downtown Miami, was arrested for soliciting a prostitute. | 6 |
"To tell you the truth," he sighs, summing up his of life on public radio, "I don't see any way out of this." | "To tell you the truth," he sighs, "I don't see any way out of this." | 6 |
Among the other places I have been reading Slate , Salon, an electronic version of the Wall Street Journal , and the e-texts of various novels and short stories, in last couple of weeks: | In the last couple of weeks I have been reading Slate, Salon, the Wall Street Journal, and the e-texts of various novels and short stories. | 6 |
USAT reports that Vernon Jordan met four times with Lewinsky, but never mentions that this was first reported yesterday by the WP . | USAT says Jordan met four times with Lewinsky, but never mentioned first reporting was yesterday. | 7 |
1) "Lagers are the light-colored, relatively lightly flavored brews that make up most of the vattage of beer consumption in the United States." | "Lagers are light-colored, lightly flavored brews that make up most beer consumed in the United States." | 6 |
Comment : Admirable use of quiz form to slyly denigrate the military-industrial complex, although the fourth choice might have been "Bill Gates." | Admirable use of quiz form to denigrate the military industrial complex. | 6 |
I note he does not reply to my observation that most of the critics he mentions have given negative reviews to most of the films he says we praised. | Most of the critics he mentions have given negative reviews to the films he says we praised. | 6 |
The WSJ also reports that in their grand jury appearances, George Stephanopoulos and Clinton personal secretary Betty Currie confirmed that Nelvis did have the access he claimed. | The WSJ reports that Stephanopoulos and Clinton personal secretary Betty Currie confirmed that Nelvis did have the access he claimed. | 6 |
Stewart says that B. will be mailed an apology, plus Southwest peanuts, plus a coupon book for free drinks--including mixed drinks! | Stewart says that B. will be mailed an apology, plus peanuts, and a coupon book. | 6 |
Like misprinted stamps that become valuable because they are mistakes, the beautiful blanket will have a little extra meaning--plus nice memories--because of the erroneous date. | Like misprinted stamps that become valuable because they are mistakes, the blanket will have more meaning because of the wrong date. | 6 |
It's called wing-rowing, the wing-burdened armsunbending, yielding, striking a balance,walking the white invisible line drawnjust ahead in the air, first sign the slur, | It's called wing-rowing, the wing-burdened armsunbending, yielding, walking the invisible line drawnjust ahead in the air. | 6 |
In other words, I aim to occupy the same high ground claimed by Abraham Lincoln in his sixth debate against Stephen A. Douglas: | I aim to occupy the same ground claimed by Abraham Lincoln in his sixth debate against Douglas. | 6 |
In Belgrade, one group includes the American Center, the British Council, the Goethe Institute, and the French Cultural Center; the other group includes the Original Levi's Store and You've Got Mail . What's the distinction? | In Belgrade, one group includes places like the American Center and the British Council, the other includes the Levi's Store and You've Got Mail. What's the difference? | 6 |
TG: No one could do that any better than the sunshine of all our lives, our first lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. | No one could do that better than Mrs. Clinton. | 6 |
Newsweek notes the marketing overkill of the new James Bond movie: Heineken, Smirnoff, BMW, Visa, and Ericsson are running commercials that hawk both their products and the movie. | Newsweek notes the marketing overkill of the new James Bond movie: many brands ran commercials with their products and the movie. | 6 |
Prudie has zero tolerance for this kind of thinking and, as a matter of fact, has always considered the Social Register the American Kennel Club for humans. | Prudie doesn't tolerate this kind of thinking, and considers the Social Register the American Kennel Club for humans. | 6 |
How is it, asked San Franciscans on considering the news, that it requires more public scrutiny to cut down a redwood than it does to uproot a bank? | San Franciscans asked how it requires more public scrutiny to cut down a redwood than to uproot a bank. | 6 |
The story of M. reminds the Shopping Avenger of a central truth of consumer service: It's not the crime, it's the cover-up. | The story reminds us of a truth of consumer service: It's not the crime, it's the cover-up. | 6 |
Although Swiss law requires new mothers to take an eight-week leave, the Swiss have rejected financial assistance for mothers four times since the maternity leave law was enacted in 1945. | Although Swiss law requires mothers to take an 8 weeks off, it has rejected assistance for mothers four times since the law was enacted. | 6 |
The smirk resurfaced at last week's New Hampshire debate, according to The New Yorker 's Joe Klein, who in the Dec. 13 issue writes that Bush | The smirk resurfaced at last week's debate, according to Joe Klein. | 6 |
And in Bosnia, the mere discussion of elections has exacerbated ethnic tensions, allowing the most virulent nationalists to gain support, and led to predictions that this democratic procedure could finish the country. | And in Bosnia, the topic of elections has worsened ethnic tensions, allowing virulent nationalists to gain support, and led to grim predictions about the future. | 6 |
The tobacco settlement--Issue 3--is dead for now, says Gwen Ifill ( Washington Week in Review ). "The Senate just isn't in a barter mood, which is what [legislation] requires," Ifill says. | The tobacco settlement is dead, says Gwen Ifill. "The Senate just isn't in a barter mood, which is what [legislation] requires," Ifill says. | 6 |
U.S. law also prohibits contributions from any individual contractor or partnership doing business with the government, and requires a "best effort" to obtain the name, address, occupation, and employer of every individual contributing over $200. | U.S. law prohibits donations from anyone in business with the government, & requires an "effort" to obtain the name, address, occupation, & employer of everyone contributing over $200. | 6 |
John Solomon, who provides these last data in an article in the October 1996 Washington Monthly , offers a less credulous explanation: Disaster relief is "a unique example of political pork that everyone accepts as kosher." | John Solomon thru data provided to the Washington Monthly, cited: Disaster relief is "a unique example of political pork that everyone accepts as kosher." | 6 |
Russia's attempt to resolve the Iraq crisis via diplomacy leads at the Washington Post , Los Angeles Times , and USA Today . A big bank merger leads at the New York Times . | Russia's attempt to resolve the Iraq crisis via diplomacy leads at TWP, LAT, and USA Today. A big bank merger leads at the NYT. | 6 |
Broadcast by the National Association of Manufacturers during the now-resolved debate over cutting federal taxes, this timely, pointed spot extends history's reach in an effort to push for the tax breaks favored by the NAM. | Broadcast by the National Association of Manufacturers during the debate for cutting federal taxes, this extends history's reach pushing for tax breaks they favor. | 6 |
The kids can still buy cookies, chips, and ice cream at the school snack bar; federal law does not ban their lunch hour sale at schools receiving food aid. | The kids can buy cookies, chips, and ice cream; federal law does not ban their sale at schools receiving aid. | 6 |
And I realized that, had Simon followed Lerner's advice and started writing musicals, we'd have had to get to the theater at 10:30 in the morning to read up on the textual footnotes. | If we would have followed Lerner's advice to start writing musicals, we'd have to go to the theater in the morning to review footnotes. | 6 |
And speaking of Democrat delay, the WSJ reports that a "recorded phone message at Clinton-Gore headquarters begins, 'The campaign is still open for business. | The WSJ reports that a recorded message at Clinton-Gore headquarters states the campaign is still open for business. | 6 |
To learn more about the hell-bound former secretary of State, read The Kissinger Transcripts , edited by William Burr, or visit the National Security Archive Web site at http://www.seas.gwu.edu/nsarchive/. | To learn more about the former secretary of State, read The Kissinger Transcripts , edited by William Burr, or visit http://www.seas.gwu.edu/nsarchive/. | 6 |
Stay tuned, shoppers, to hear whether Southwest makes good it promise to compensate M. and apologize to her for her troubles. | Stay tuned to hear whether Southwest makes good on promise to compensate M. and apologize. | 6 |
The photographer's work will make it into the GDP only when someone buys a bottle of Tylenol, or a Buick, or whatever is advertised on the news show in which the picture of Lewinsky is shown. | The photographer's work will make it into the GDP when someone buys a product advertised on the news show containing Lewinsky's picture. | 6 |
Fill in the blank as Chase Untermeyer, President Bush's former appointments secretary, assesses the new Republican dynasty led by victorious Jeb and George W.: | Former appointments secretary Chase Untermeyer assess the Republican dynasty led by Jeb and George W. Bush. | 6 |
I'll keep reading, but no longer will I assume that SLATE will always exercise good (or even average) editorial judgment in its selection of features. | I'll keep reading, but not assume that SLATE will always exercise good editorial judgment in its features. | 6 |
The X-acto Knife Award for Creative Editing goes to the promoters of the movie Sleepy Hollow . Their New York Times ads feature this quote from Newsweek : | The X-acto Knife Award for Creative Editing goes to the promoters of the movie Sleepy Hollow. | 6 |
--Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on John McCain and Bill Bradley's agreement to forego soft money donations if they become their respective party's presidential nominees ( Meet the Press ) | Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on John McCain and Bill Bradley's pact to stop donations if they become presidential nominees (Meet the Press) | 6 |
Here Metabolife interjects the following explanatory note: "Nine years ago, Michael Ellis received five years probation for the use of a telephone to facilitate a drug trafficking offense committed in 1989 ." | Metabolife interjects, "Nine years ago, Michael Ellis received a 5 years probation to facilitate a drug trafficking offense in 1989." | 6 |
Martial music and an outrider-flagged motorcade herald Pat Buchanan's return to Crossfire , the show that gave him enough currency in households across the United States to take not one, but two stabs at the presidency. | Martial music and an outrider-flagged motorcade herald Pat Buchanan's return to Crossfire, the show that gave him enough popularity to run for president twice. | 6 |
And TheStreet.com first said the deal was worth $125 billion (go figure), then came around and by the end of the day said it was worth $180 billion. | TheStreet.com said the deal was worth $125 billion, then by the end of the day said it was worth $180 billion. | 6 |
I'm sure that if you asked the same questions, but divided all the amounts by a million, your answers would be very different. | The same questions, all divided by a million, would have very different answers. | 6 |
Oh, Shut Up: John McLaughlin urged the president to augment his racial dialogue with discussion of black racism, jury nullification, hate crimes perpetrated against white people by black people, and violent imagery in rap songs. | Oh, Shut Up: John McLaughlin urged the president to also discuss black racism, jury nullification, hate crimes against whites by blacks, and violent imagery in rap songs. | 6 |
And I'm sure you all join me in wishing Kate Moss a speedy return to her health, and Margaret Thatcher to her senses. | Join me in wishing Kate Moss a speedy recovery, and Margaret Thatcher to her senses. | 6 |
This just in (via e-mail) regarding George W. Bush's smirk from the University of North Carolina's John Shelton Reed, who co-edits Southern Cultures magazine: | This just in regarding George W. Bush's smirk from UNC's John Shelton Reed, who co-edits Southern Cultures magazine. | 6 |
Stripped of clutter and confusion, the gist of Gerth's Pulitzer Prize series was that President Clinton had helped a campaign contributor to leak important military secrets to China. | Without clutter, Gerth's Pulitzer Prize series was about Clinton who helped a campaign helper leak military secrets to China | 6 |
2) My piece specifically mentions the letter written by Eric Holder of the Justice Department, in which he called for a Justice Department investigation of Mann's charges. | My piece mentions the letter written by Holder, which he called for a Justice Department investigation of Mann's charges. | 6 |
You know sports are getting crazy when the Olympic movement looks tainted by wretched excess and the Super Bowl is actually providing the inspirational story of the week. | Sports are getting crazy when the Olympics look tainted by wretched excess and the Super Bowl is the story of the week. | 11 |
1. Touring a high-tech company in Scotland Tuesday, he noticed a poorly wired fuse box: "It looks as though it was put in by an Indian." | He noticed a poorly wired fuse box: "It looks as though it was put in by an Indian." | 6 |
This is talk radio for the rest of us--people who like information and words, have the conventional concerns of family and work, and enjoy a little innuendo now and then. | This is talk radio for people who like information & words, have conventional concerns, & enjoy a little innuendo now & then. | 6 |
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least how many children have choked to death on children's products since 1980? | According to the CPSC, how many child choking deaths are due to children's products since 1980? | 6 |
Just because rural Chinese and African people may not need high dairy consumption to be healthy does not mean that Americans should be discouraged from drinking milk. | Rural Chinese and Africans may not need high dairy consumption. This does not mean that Americans should not drink milk. | 6 |
P.S.: Another distinction between Wolf and Magnet is that Bush didn't pay Magnet anything for his advice, while Gore valued Wolf's at $15,000 a month. | Another distinction between Wolf and Magnet is that Bush did not pay Magnet and Gore paid Wolf 15000 a month. | 7 |
And in a countermove to superjumbo fat jokes, the Food and Drug Administration has approved Hoffman-LaRoche's orlistat, the first in a new class of anti-obesity drugs that block the body's absorption of dietary fat. | The Food and Drug Administration has approved Hoffman-LaRoche's orlistat, the first in a class of anti-obesity drugs that block the body's absorption of fat. | 6 |
Foer also neglected to mention that Mann's credibility is bolstered by the FBI's decision, after a preliminary investigation of her charges, to refer them to the Justice Department. | Foer also neglected to mention that Mann's credibility is bolstered by the FBI's decision to refer them to the Justice Department. | 6 |
To see how this all works, follow me as I build a Web site containing home page A and image B. | Watch me build a Web site containing home page A and image B. | 6 |
The New York Times asked screenwriter John Milius for his opinion, and the Conan the Barbarian scribe said it sounded just fine to him. | The NYT asked screenwriter John Milius for his opinion, and he said it sounded just fine to him. | 6 |
Kinsley thinks it is OK for Washington to take a third (give or take) of anything this retired research historian labors to make through entrepreneurial risk-taking. | Kinsley thinks it is OK for Washington to take a third of anything this retired historian makes through entrepreneurship. | 6 |
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