[Penny]

<<< "Yawn...Big deal. I know people who are absolutely brilliant thinkers and yet can't write. I know a few fantastic writers who are dumber than rocks." >>>>

Preferring to make my views known to the White House and to my senators by personal mail, I have generally avoided commenting on this forum about Ms. Miers' qualifications. Your remark, however, pushed me to the edge. How?

Over a twenty-year span in my profession of teaching both English composition and literature, I've taught thousands of students. To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly, but, without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

Simply put, as the mind works, so do the words tumbling out on paper (or on a word processor). Ms. Miers' mushy, unintelligible writing not only reveals a mushy, mediocre mind but also portends an embarrassing process. A "nice" woman does not an exceptionally qualified Supreme Court justice make. I, for one, hope she steps aside.

Regards . . . Penny

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

You're not alone.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

Over a twenty-year span in my profession of teaching both English composition and literature, I've taught thousands of students. To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly, but, without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

B.I.N.G.O.

[Racehorse]

To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly, but, without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

Simply put, as the mind works, so do the words tumbling out on paper (or on a word processor). Ms. Miers' mushy, unintelligible writing not only reveals a mushy, mediocre mind but also portends an embarrassing process.

Sounds just like something I stumbled upon during the 70s in something Laharpe wrote.  Can't say I disagree with him or you--too much.  I wouldn't want to.

I do believe your judgment based on this narrow sample is overly harsh.

Not one brilliant hack in twenty years?  Remarkable.  Congratulations.

[AmericaUnited]

I have to strongly disagree with you here. There are many people who can think in very complex and sophisticated ways, but have a hard time translating those ideas and thoughts onto paper, in a way that an English teacher like yourself would be happy with. This is a much wider phenomena than you claim.

[cgbg]

I hope everyone reads your post #23. It matches my life experience.

I know (hope?) all of us would use our best prose if we were writing to our governor.

It is a good thing I don't write to our RINO governor (who wanted to increase the sales tax on one of my favorite products from 20% to 90%) because if I did every third word would make her blush. :-)

[freedumb2003]

Over a twenty-year span in my profession of teaching both English composition and literature, I've taught thousands of students. To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly, but, without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

A lot of commas in that sentence. I recommend you rework it:

To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly. Without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

Are you sure you are an English teacher?

[pyx]

Over a twenty-year span in my profession of teaching both English composition and literature, I've taught thousands of students. To date, not ONE bright student failed to write coherently, even brilliantly, but, without exception, all of the poor thinkers invariably produced equally poor writing.

Simply put, as the mind works, so do the words tumbling out on paper (or on a word processor). Ms. Miers' mushy, unintelligible writing not only reveals a mushy, mediocre mind but also portends an embarrassing process. A "nice" woman does not an exceptionally qualified Supreme Court justice make. I, for one, hope she steps aside.

Regards . . . Penny

C-

You've used too many commas, mixed formal and informal verbiage and topped it off with unnecessary capitalization.

Learn the basics before throwing stones in a glass house.