Ten Hard-To-Explain English Language Quirks

by Kevin Burton    I went to college to become a journalist. But before I got there I was, briefly, an English teacher. And I had to defend some of the nonsense you will see below.    English got to be the dominant language of the world (the lingua franca for aviation, among other industries) …

Salvation Through Jesus, Straight To The Point

by Kevin Burton    “Write ‘em tight” they used to teach us in journalism school, “write ‘em tight.”    That means don’t be wordy. Get to the point.    That’s the first thing I thought of after reading a recent message from In Touch, the international radio and television ministry founded by the late Dr. …

Speaking My Language, Journalism Jargon

by Kevin Burton    Every industry has its insider jargon and our friends at Dictionary Scoop have released a list of journalism phrases.    And I’ll get to it, gladly.  But first, one bone to pick.    So the way I was trained in journalism was, get to the point, now. Put the most important …

I Can Still Feel That Mexican Embrace

by Kevin Burton    There is a cove that I visit, a path where I meander, to which no one on earth can follow.    I don’t go often, but when I go, I go down deep.    Out of despair from not being able to break into journalism, I decided at 24 to go …

Bonnie Raitt Supports A Free Press, Journalism

by Kevin Burton    I love Bonnie Raitt more this week than I did before, and that’s saying something.    Raitt announced Monday that proceeds from her Sept. 23 concert in Carmel By The Sea, California, will go to support investigative journalism and protect a free press.    “Special guest Roy Rogers will support the …

Studies Say Music Is The Way To Brainpower

by Kevin Burton    My father wanted me to study computer programming in college. He had that charming way of pushing his desires for himself onto other people.    I wanted to be a journalist – an unblinking champion of the truth and a painter with words. I had that charming way of evaluating ideas …

Note To Cincy’s Tee Higgins, All Is Forgiven

by Kevin Burton    My Kool & The Gang tape doesn’t play so well anymore. Found this out Sunday.    I had the greatest hits record on CD, but I lent it to one of my neighbors when I lived in Ohio and never got it back. But I had to hear the song, Celebration, …

All The World Is Sick Of Bad News

by Kevin Burton    People worldwide are unplugging from the news, according to a Reuters Institute study.    We just don’t want to hear it.    I grew up with the Dayton Daily News on the doorstep every morning and the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite a regular part of the early evening.  Local …

Russian Reporter Jailed For Telling The Truth

   Maria Ponomarenko has my respect, my admiration and full attention.     Last March the Russian Air Force bombed a Ukrainian theatre in the town of Mariupol, with 1,200 civilians inside. The Russian defense ministry denied the attack. Ponomarenko, a 44-year-old Russian journalist, told the truth about it in a social media post.  This is …

Thursdays With Mom: Golden Memories

by Kevin Burton    I took custody of the gold yesterday.  Didn’t make me any richer, not in the monetary sense anyway.     The transaction took place at my mother’s apartment at an assisted living facility twelve miles north of where I live.  I go there to visit her just about every Thursday.  We are …