Comments on: Decatur Has Motorcycle Cops? http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/ Decatur Georgia News, Events, Atlanta News Sat, 02 Nov 2013 14:21:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 By: Scott http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7306 Scott Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:50:05 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7306 Thanks, Freak, but I prefer “Robberman”.

]]> By: Freakanomic http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7305 Freakanomic Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:19:14 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7305 Scott….you took the words outta my mouth. Thief.

]]> By: Harpua http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7304 Harpua Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:50:07 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7304 Speaking of that intersection, can someone explain why that light is on a loooooooong timer during slow times of the day when there is no traffic coming on East Lake, but it turns green via a sensor during rush hour when there are lots of cars coming down East Lake to get backed up? Makes no sense. Seems to me it should be the opposite.

This is just one of many Decatur lights that baffle me…

]]> By: Scott http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7303 Scott Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:23:38 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7303 Linguistics do matter, which is why WPMOM and DM are both half right. This isn’t about political correctness. It’s about precision.

In descriptive writing, especially a news source like DM, “policeman” (when describing a male) is more precise than “police officer,” especially considering DM was trying to convey a good mental picture of who’s been riding up and down Ponce.

On the flip side, when describing a group of mixed gender or a group in generalized terms, “police officers” would be the way to go.

Accuracy and enlightenment are not mutually exclusive!

]]> By: WPMOM http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7302 WPMOM Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:44:24 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7302 not a criticism as much as a reminder that linguistics really do matter, at least in my house. i like to use language that allows my daughter to feel included in the world around her.

]]> By: decatur mom http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7301 decatur mom Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:18:49 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7301 Two days ago I saw the Police Officer on motorcycle with his/her radar gun across from Glenlake Park, on whatever that street is…Geneva?…. catching speeders going north on Church St.

FM Fats, I have been soooo tempted to turn right on red onto Eastlake from Paden many times…but I’ve been busted in other places for doing that very thing, so I’m not gonna do it no matter how close to my bumper the driver behind me gets!

And on the school zone speeders, I swear they really could make a killing if they ticketed them on W. Howard….mostly they just park in the Friends School lot and yell at the speeders through their megaphones. I hope those crossing guards at Adair & W. Howard are getting hazard pay….

]]> By: Lyn http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7300 Lyn Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:44:54 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7300 Actually I agree with WPMom it’s a lot easier and much more professional to get into the habit of saying Police Officer and Firefighter — short, simple and no distinction necessary.

]]> By: Carl http://www.decaturmetro.com/2009/03/12/decatur-has-motorcycle-cops/#comment-7299 Carl Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:04:16 +0000 http://www.decaturmetro.com/?p=20705#comment-7299 Nick, will you buy me one of Scott and Kimberly’s Thundersnow shirts if I snag a pic? :)

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