March 13, 2008.
I believe that some one has to finally stand up and call, nay demand, that there are three things that have crept into the American culture which MUST be purged.
In order to understand my frustration you must closely watch TV over the next week or so. Some of you will catch on more quickly and do not need to watch the whole week.
The first thing to notice is hugging. It has become an epidemic. Check Obama and all politicos; basketball and other sport figures and of course celebrities of all stripes. Shake hands or high five, but save the hugging for your spouse, the kids and Aunt Mary. Please note before you become unglued, that I am not talking about legitimate hugs of which I am a great believer. The other types are phony with a capital P so knock it off.
The second is these "air kisses" on one or both checks. I bet that the Secretary of State gets more of these than almost anyone else. Not to get political, Hillary is a close second. What makes matters worse, with this problem is that the kiss is usually accompanied with a hug. Double aggravation.
The third is hyphenated last names. This phonyism was imported from Europe. It is most frequently used over there by royalty. I have no problem with ladies continuing to use their maiden names to the exclusion of their husband's name. I have no problem with ladies using the maiden name along with their husband's name. Just leave out the hyphen. If for no other reason think of the kids and, if I might add, think also of the teachers who face this problem daily. Royalty in American come from achievement not from a hyphen.
I ask the assistance of ALL to rid these scourges from the American culture.