'Let Me Get This Straight' by Barry Knister

My aim is to take a second look at letters to the editor, guest commentaries and other writing in the public forum where problems have occurred in word choice and grammar. The intent is to inform and, with luck, amuse, but not to question writers’ opinions except where meaning is uncertain. Ultimately, the goal is to provide examples that might lead writers to more clearly and effectively “get straight” what they mean to say. Biography: A Naples homeowner since 2001, Barry Knister retired from full-time college teaching in 2008. He now divides his time between Florida and Michigan, and continues to teach summer courses at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI. Published by Gold Mountain Press in 2008, his second novel, "Just Bill,'' is available at Amazon and at www.goldmountainpress.com. He can be reached at knister@sbcglobal.net.

• Darwin evolving: part one Posted 5/16/2012 at 7:19 a.m. 1 comment

  What is Social Darwinism, and why is it a matter of current interest?

• Funny #3: Rabelais then and now Posted 4/24/2012 at 6:14 p.m. 0 comments

  A lot is going on to deflate any notion the writer is capable of more than shallow thinking.

• Funny #2: In this corner, skepticism Posted 4/18/2012 at 8:33 a.m. 0 comments

  Other divines who embrace The Rapture preach the importance of commercial airliners never being both piloted and co-piloted by believers.

• You can't teach funny, part one Posted 4/11/2012 at 8:35 a.m. 3 comments

  As Wordsworth might agree, we murder to dissect what amuses us, but perhaps something can be learned by bumping off a joke or two.

• The language of grief Posted 4/4/2012 at 9:23 a.m. 1 comment

  The writer's challenge is to choose quotes from lengthy recorded interviews, words that will convey each loss without sentimentality.

• The radio celeb, psycho-babble, and hot buttons Posted 3/27/2012 at 10:51 p.m. 1 comment

  Language related to sex is sex reconstituted in a sanitized, socially acceptable form. In terms of violence, the same holds true for the barely controlled fusillade of violent language that often sputters forth in letters to the editor

• Sloth lurks Posted 3/21/2012 at 8:39 a.m. 1 comment

  A high five goes to those writers in recent weeks who blew the factual-accuracy whistle on the last in the list--Hitler.

• Cashing in on camo Posted 3/14/2012 at 6:12 a.m. 1 comment

  If you travel by plane, or pick up travelers at airports, you know "civilian" camo is not like the real thing. Real camo is what you see being worn by military personnel in transit.

• PGL--R.I.P. Posted 2/28/2012 at 6:06 p.m. 0 comments

  We are all unique. This even applies to identical twins. But stealing from George Orwell's satire Animal Farm--"we are all equal, but some of us are more equal than others"--some of us are just more unique than others.

• Civics 101 Posted 2/22/2012 at 8:10 a.m. 0 comments

  "'The Docta,' as we called him, exemplified citizenship because of his charismatic approach to life and his genuine kindness and care for us as students."