My LTE to the New York Times

[brooklynite]

To the Editor:

I note with a sad sense of irony that the sample questions to be used for the new citizenship exam ("Focusing on Principles, Not Facts", Dec 1, 2006), includes "Why do we have three branches of government?" to which the appropriate answer is "So no branch is too powerful". Given the Administration's belief in the powers of the "Unitary Executive", I wonder how well the President or his staff would do on this exam.

[Robbien]

1. So much irony in that LTE

not the least of which is the name of the citizenship exam. Not facts indeed.

Good LTE brooklynite
:thumbsup:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Hope they print it

good letter.

[reichstag911]

3. Suggestions:

I note with a sad sense of irony that the sample questions to be used for the new citizenship exam ("Focusing on Principles, Not Facts", Dec 1, 2006), include "Why do we have three branches of government?" to which the appropriate answer is "So no branch is too powerful." Given the Administration's belief in the powers of the "Unitary Executive," I wonder how well the president or his staff would do on this exam.

I changed "includes" to "include" so it agrees in number with the subject "questions," and moved the period and the comma (after "powerful" and "Executive") inside the end quotes where they belong. Also, I changed "President" to "president." My take is that referring to President Bush or addressing him as Mr. President requires the uppercase "P," but "the president" does not.

Good letter; let us know if it gets published.

[mcar]

4. Excellent letter

I hope they print it.