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Essay: If Slang Is Not a Sin

The classic slang of the '60s is almost a dead language now. In unadulterated form it survives only under the protection of certain purists with long memories, heirs to the medieval tradition of monastic scribes. Their honorary abbot is Phil Donahue.

The '60s-bred clergyman, especially the Episcopalian, is for some reason a wondrous curator of the lingo. He ascends his pulpit. "God doesn't want you on a guilt trip" he begins, inspired. "God's not into guilt. Bad vibes! He knows where you're coming from. God says, 'Guilt, that's a bummer.,' The Lord can be...

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OMAR SHAKIR, an activist. Syrian government forces on Tuesday brushed aside a stern castigation from the top United Nations human rights official, resuming the brutal shelling of the city of Homs, particularly targeted at the neighborhood of Baba Amr.
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