[Bertram3]

I couldn’t agree more. If Sarah Palin wants to have a positive impact she should avoid the fingernails-on-chalkboard use of “impact” as a verb. As William Safire pointed out, this misuse originated with people who do not know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

[SonofLibery]

Actually, in military parlance, her use of the word ‘impact’ is quite correct. It refers very specifically to a munition striking a terminal point. A missile said to be able to ‘impact’ the west coast is synonymous with a missile that has sufficient range to reach and strike that point. Her proper use of the word reflects her knowledge of the subject matter, and her ability to write to her intended audience (SECDEF). Now if she were referring to almost anything else ‘impacting’, those locales....I'd have to agree with you.

[balls]

Also, “man power” should be “manpower”.