Cal.E.'s Corner

C.: Now that the Astros are through with their season, what are we going to talk about, d.c.?

d.: I want to talk about something more serious today, Cal.E.; the Oxford comma.

C.: Oh, did the Ole Miss Rebels finally wise up and realize that all three of the words in their name is offensive to some people?

d.: What?! No, Cal.E. Why would the University of Mississippi start going by the name of the small town where the major university is located and change the name of their mascot to a punctuation mark?

C.: Because, d.c. The name “rebel” has been in the news a lot lately. Some people don’t like to be reminded of the past. And try calling a woman “miss” or “old” and see how offended she is.

d.: It’s called “Ole Miss” as in old Mississippi… okay, never mind. Why would they go by the name of a punctuation mark, though?

C.: Well, think of all the famous authors who are associated with that school. William Faulkner and Eudora Welty are alumni of the University of Mississippi, and John Grisham got his law degree from there…

d.: Yes, but he got his undergraduate degree from my alma mater. When he’s seen on T.V watching a game between the two schools in person, he’s usually sitting on the side of the Bulldogs.

C.: I just looked up what an Oxford comma is on CNN. I’m ready for our debate now. Which side of the debate would you like to take, d.c.? Are you fir ‘em or agin em?

d.: Well, all my research papers in nursing school were required to be put into Chicago style MLA format, and that’s usually the format I use when I write my books. So, since that format uses a comma before the word “and” in a series of items, I will take the positive side.

C.: Then I’m agin ‘em.

d.: Why is that, Cal.E.?

C.: Think of how much wasted ink Oxford commas use. Printer ink is expensive. And most formats don’t use Oxford commas. Consistency is important in literature and journalism, isn’t it?

d.: I see your points, Cal.E. You make some strong arguments. My only counter is that the format I mainly use requires them. I guess you win this debate, Cal.E.

C.: So, is there a financial reward, or, at least, a trophy and a parade, like the Astros got?

d.: No, there’s none of that as a reward. You should just be proud to have won the debate, but I’ll do a little better than that for you, Cal.E. This song is dedicated to both you and the 2022 Houston Astros.

I've paid my dues Time after time I've done my sentence But committed no crime And bad mistakes I've made a few I've had my share of sand Kicked in my face But I've come through

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

We are the champions, my friends And we'll keep on fighting till the end We are the champions We are the champions No time for losers 'Cause we are the champions of the World

I've taken my bows And my curtain calls You brought me fame and fortune And everything that goes with it I thank you all But it's been no bed of roses No pleasure cruise I consider it a challenge before The human race And I ain't gonna lose

And we mean to go on and on and on and on

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Freddie Mercury

Oxford comma

deceased 11/8/2022

Cal.E.'s Corner

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