Marc Riddell wrote:
Whereas, I agree somewhat with Ray's belief in a need for caution when writing; I would like to offer another perspective on the use of such caution in communication: Too much of it, or a preoccupation with it, can lead to no communication at all except dishonest, deceptive, politically-correct mush.
I agree. You have an advantage if you know your audience, and another one if you know when to stop. One reason why the proxy debate became so problematical was that a single user chose to dig in his heels over it. If you are going to walk along the edge of a cliff, you damn well better be sure of where that edge is.
Satire is tricky to write, just ask the "Saturday Night Live" or "The Daily Show" writers; its purpose is to poke fun at something or someone, as well as to call attention to a social and/or political issue; to preach to the choir (that's how you get them to sing) as well as to those not yet converted. But one thing for sure - you're going to piss someone off in the process. And, if that happens, to write honestly, that needs to be OK with you.
When you turn the cited programs on you already have an idea about what is going on. You are forwarned to suspend your beliefs.
Ec