A review of Belarusian poet Julia Cimafiejeva’s book Motherfield ends with this observation: “She wields her flexed, forceful verses like that mightiest of muscles — the tongue.”
That comment pairs with the ancient cliché that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Would it were true! At least Putin would be brutalizing Ukraine with words, not sticks and stones.
Apologists for verbal violence spewed by the likes of Clarkson and approved by his editor Newton say “it’s only words,” and is shielded by freedom of speech. The threadbare dodge is absurdly disingenuous. Malignant words can wound and sicken, ripple far and wide, and have lasting, unpredictable consequences up to and including mayhem and death.
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
EthicalDative 
Fleet Street Drool: Victoria Newton and Jeremy Clarkson
A review of Belarusian poet Julia Cimafiejeva’s book Motherfield ends with this observation: “She wields her flexed, forceful verses like that mightiest of muscles — the tongue.”
That comment pairs with the ancient cliché that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” Would it were true! At least Putin would be brutalizing Ukraine with words, not sticks and stones.
Apologists for verbal violence spewed by the likes of Clarkson and approved by his editor Newton say “it’s only words,” and is shielded by freedom of speech. The threadbare dodge is absurdly disingenuous. Malignant words can wound and sicken, ripple far and wide, and have lasting, unpredictable consequences up to and including mayhem and death.
(c) 2022 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
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About JMN
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.