4 ms·

'President' is proper and correct.

by nxc18 9y ago

zeveb 9y ago
I think it's more appropriate to only refer to someone by his current position, not by his former positions: President Trump, Secretary Tillerson, Senator Warren — but Mr. Obama, Mr. Bush, Mrs. Clinton &c. America is a republic, not a monarchy or aristocracy: titles are for a limited duration, not for life.
- nxc18 9y ago
  I personally agree, but that would require a culture shift. I find it problematic that it is used inconsistently - all presidents other than Obama keep their titles for life. Maybe only white presidents keep their title for life? I’d rather see that disparity tackled first, whether that means everyone keeps their title or no one.
  - matt4077 9y ago
    See the other comments for the real, benign, explanation. This also seems to be a good occasion to encourage people to work from an assumption of good faith. It's especially fitting considering this is the New York Times, a publication that, even if it were racist (which it is not), would probably be smart enough not to let it shine through in the most obvious way possible.
    - nxc18 9y ago
      Thank you for this. Apologies for the bad assumption.
      - matt4077 9y ago
        And thank you for your willingness to consider criticism. Sorry if the tone of slightly on the snarky side–I've become somewhat cynical trying to defend the basic decency of most people working in "the media".
- evgen 9y ago
  You may think that, but it is not how things work. Politicians are formally addressed according to current office or the highest office they held at any point in the past if not a current office holder. Probably a silly convention, but it is what it is. (ordering is Representative < Senator < (ambassador or cabinet secretary) < SC justice < VP or President)
  - zeveb 9y ago
    Emily Post disagrees: http://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of-the-united-states/ http://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of... Robert Hickey also: http://www.formsofaddress.info/FOA_president_US_former.html http://www.formsofaddress.info/FOA_president_US_former.html Miss Manners too: https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1030916.html https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1030916.html

'President' is proper and correct.

by nxc18 9y ago

'President' is proper and correct.

I think it's more appropriate to only refer to someone by his current position, not by his former positions: President Trump, Secretary Tillerson, Senator Warren — but Mr. Obama, Mr. Bush, Mrs. Clinton &c. America is a republic, not a monarchy or aristocracy: titles are for a limited duration, not for life.

nxc18 9y ago
I personally agree, but that would require a culture shift. I find it problematic that it is used inconsistently - all presidents other than Obama keep their titles for life. Maybe only white presidents keep their title for life? I’d rather see that disparity tackled first, whether that means everyone keeps their title or no one.
- matt4077 9y ago
  See the other comments for the real, benign, explanation. This also seems to be a good occasion to encourage people to work from an assumption of good faith. It's especially fitting considering this is the New York Times, a publication that, even if it were racist (which it is not), would probably be smart enough not to let it shine through in the most obvious way possible.
  - nxc18 9y ago
    Thank you for this. Apologies for the bad assumption.
    - matt4077 9y ago
      And thank you for your willingness to consider criticism. Sorry if the tone of slightly on the snarky side–I've become somewhat cynical trying to defend the basic decency of most people working in "the media".
evgen 9y ago
You may think that, but it is not how things work. Politicians are formally addressed according to current office or the highest office they held at any point in the past if not a current office holder. Probably a silly convention, but it is what it is. (ordering is Representative < Senator < (ambassador or cabinet secretary) < SC justice < VP or President)
- zeveb 9y ago
  Emily Post disagrees: http://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of-the-united-states/ http://emilypost.com/advice/addressing-a-former-president-of... Robert Hickey also: http://www.formsofaddress.info/FOA_president_US_former.html http://www.formsofaddress.info/FOA_president_US_former.html Miss Manners too: https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1030916.html https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1030916.html