PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19^TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

I have often said that, in terms of ways to receive communications, there are three types of people in this world – and, of course, this is a huge generalization.

First, there are people like me who like words.

Then, second, there are people who like charts, graphs and financial tables. Not me.

Finally, third, there are people who like photos and graphics. This is not me, but a partner in my firm excels at using graphics to tell a story. Good for him, but I do not have that particular ability.

I suppose it could be contended that, if the goal is to communicate, then you ought to be able to employ all of the three methods listed above. If so, there is more work for me.

For me, as a “words person,” all of this came to mind the other day when I read a story in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) about the forced departure of Ryan Zinke, director of the Interior Department.

Here is a paragraph from the WSJ:

“…Zinke’s departure will be one of several personnel changes in the administration as Trump enters his third year in office. On Friday, Trump announced that the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, would assume the role of acting White House chief of staff, taking the place of outgoing chief of staff John Kelly. A number of other top White House officials are also expected to leave the administration.”

Note the last sentence that I have placed in bold.

The sentence is not grammatically correct. It should be:

“A number of other top White House officials is also expected to leave the administration.”

Sounds terrible, but is is the correct word to modify the start of the sentence – “A number of other….”

If I were a language king for a day, I would change the rule to allow the modifier “are.” Or, I would write the sentence differently, such as: “Some top White House officials are expected to leave the administration.”

That’s correct. The word “are” modifies the start of the sentence with the word “some.”

Why do I care about this? Who knows?

It may be that, in retirement when it’s too cold, too rainy or two windy to play golf, I have nothing better to do than reflect on this type of minor issue.

Or, for another of my hot buttons, consider this sentence: “The committee was heavily involved in doing their business in the public meeting.”

The word “their” is wrong. The correct modifier should be the word “its.” In this case, using the right modifier does not grate on the ear, so, I say, from my position in the cheap seats, just do this one correctly.

More of these hot buttons when I find –or remember — more.