Events in the month of August for writers and readers
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Notionate
[NO-shuh-nit]
Adjective
English, 19th century
Notional. Existing as or based on a suggestion, estimate, or theory; not existing in reality. Given to fanciful thinking or exaggerated imagination.
The term is a combination of the English word “notion,” from the Latin “nōtiō,” with the suffix “-ate,” with creates an adjective based on “notion.”
“Notionate” has been overtaken in English by its synonym “notional,” and exists today mainly as a regional expression in the Southern U.S., Northern Ireland, and in Scotland. In nearly all contexts, the term has been used to describe a state of exaggerated imagination. For example, a person describing their grandfather as “old-fashioned and notionate” might be implying that the man is very superstitious and believes in ghosts, elves, or other notionate creatures.
Example: My tendency towards notionate thinking as a kid helped me get through the difficulties of those years.
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“Those who play with fire will perish by it.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping, to President Joe Biden, regarding Taiwan’s independence
The comment comes after news that Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi plans to visit Taiwan soon.
“This is why we have always fought: We are willing to mix with one another, but we do not want to become peoples of mixed race.”
Hungarian President Viktor Orbán, who is scheduled to speak in Dallas next week at the Conservative Political Action Conference, urging his fellow Europeans not to marry non-White immigrants
Orbán also appeared to make light of the Nazi Holocaust while discussing plans to reduce natural-gas demand in Europe: “I do not see how it will be enforced – although, as I understand it, the past shows us German know-how on that.”
“You degenerate pagans and atheists and non-believers went way too far with the COVID nonsense, with shutting down our churches and forcing our kids to be masked, and forcing us to get vaccinated with some mystery goop in order to keep our jobs and provide for our families. You pushed us too far, and now we’re going to take dominion of this country, of our culture, of news, of entertainment, of technology, of education, of everything for the glory of Jesus Christ, our king. It’s just that simple.”
Andrew Torba, a far-right Christian nationalist preacher, in a speech supporting fellow right-wing nationalist Doug Mastriano
“Nobody has gotten to the bottom of 09/11 unfortunately, and they should have.”
Former President Donald Trump, as his country club prepare to host several officials from Saudi Arabia for a golf tournament
Trump’s Bedminster Club is just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. Several families of 9/11 victims have expressed outrage over the event. Of the nineteen 9/11 hijackers, 15 were from Saudi Arabia.
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“I do not believe that we made any progress. In fact, I think the party got worse.”
Dale Carpenter, former president of Log Cabin Republicans, a GLBT political group, expressing disappointment about their acceptance within overall Republican Party
For years LCR has tried – and repeatedly failed – to garner the attention of Texas’ Republican Party.
I’ve known a few queer conservatives over the years and was always stunned at how they idolized Ronald Reagan and voted for the likes of George W. Bush and Donald Trump, despite the GOP’s hostility towards them. So to know that a former LCR operative has essentially admitted defeat is somewhat of a vindication for me.
“Look, we pursue justice without fear or favor.”
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, to NBC News’ Lester Holt, about the possibility former President Donald Trump could be criminally prosecuted for his role in the Capitol Hill riot of January 6, 2021
Garland added, “We intend to hold everyone, anyone who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountable. That’s what we do.”
Irrupt
[i-ˈrəpt]
Verb
Latin, 19th century
To enter suddenly or forcibly; to become suddenly active; referring to a natural population, to expand suddenly in numbers due to a change in the natural balance
Irrupt is very close in sound and meaning to erupt, though only irrupt can mean to enter a room uninvited.
Example: After recent Supreme Court decisions, I feel the number of concerned voters will irrupt into positive social change.
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“On the bright side, this is the first positive news Biden has gotten in months.”
Jimmy Fallon, about President Biden’s recent positive COVID test, “The Tonight Show”, July 20
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“You’re a Black man in America. You know you don’t want to be nowhere where cops are. You know you don’t want to be nowhere where cops are cause I know I don’t, and I’m a middle-aged, middle-class Black woman. I don’t want to be around where the cops are because I don’t know if I’m going to walk away alive or not.”
Judge Erika Ballou of Nevada’s 8th Judicial District Court, advising a Black defendant to stay away from law enforcement
A local police union and Nevada Republicans are now calling for Ballou to apologize and resign. In response to the outcry, she declared, “What the record shows, is that I communicate with those who appear before me in a manner that is straightforward and understandable.”
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Chief Writing Wolf 