Slog - Comments on One Heartbeat Away... http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away From going absolutely bat-shit crazy if I hear or read another person refer to a vice president as "one heartbeat away" from the presidency. We get it, if the president's heart stops--like if he actually fucking dies--the VP becomes president. But can we please stop using this hackneyed linguistic turd?... Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:57:52 -0800 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:20:58 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by JK Seriously, people's hearts skip beats all the time. Generally your heart needs to stop for at least 4 minutes before you can't be revived w/o significant brain death. At 60 bpm it's more like 240 heart beats away.

]]> JK http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125494 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125494 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:06:49 -0800 Comment by Gitai You're right. We should be more creative, like for McCain, "one rage induced stroke away."

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125496 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125496 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:07:22 -0800 Comment by BeejShan Thank you for writing this.. I've been thinking this for a couple of days and glad to see it's out there.

]]> BeejShan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125503 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125503 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:09:21 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV Actually, there'd have to be an intervening swearing-in ceremony somewhere.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125506 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125506 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:09:38 -0800 Comment by flamingbanjo You mean like this?

]]> flamingbanjo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125513 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125513 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:13:40 -0800 Comment by twee I hate "she hit it out of the ballpark" even more

]]> twee http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125514 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125514 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:14:02 -0800 Comment by karst Going forward the phrase is only a help to Obama. We cannot afford to let John McCain's age continue to be the third rail of this election season. At the end of the day it is what it is.

]]> karst http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125517 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125517 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:14:42 -0800 Comment by ellarosa how about "one sniper shot away" or "one embolism away." but these do not make for pithy sound bites.

]]> ellarosa http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125521 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125521 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:15:23 -0800 Comment by sir jorge maybe as soon as someone on this site starts bashing the obama campaign a little, they'll stop using that.

I bet there is more going on in the world besides our election and the love affair that everyone has with complaining about things that don't truly make a difference in your day to day life.

]]> sir jorge http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125524 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125524 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:16:05 -0800 Comment by ben According to current IRS actuarial tables she's got about a 9.3% chance of serving. That's a little more than a heartbeat (1% tops) and a little less than the "10% chance of change."

]]> ben http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125525 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125525 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:16:06 -0800 Comment by DOUG. For McCain I like "one erection away".

]]> DOUG. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125528 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125528 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:19:09 -0800 Comment by brandon "one melanoma recurrence away" has a nice ring to it.

]]> brandon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125531 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125531 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:19:59 -0800 Comment by Dan one old-man-falling-down-precipitously-icy-stairs away

]]> Dan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125538 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125538 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:26:03 -0800 Comment by patrick Having said that, i'd say that there are also other annoying little phrases that have been more than played out.

That said, I'd also say, that having said that, I think there is absolutely NO function in the phrase "having said that" unless one wants to be redundant yet sound superficially professorial.

Having said that, I'd also like to say, go fuck yourself if you use this phrase again.

]]> patrick http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125545 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125545 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:29:05 -0800 Comment by w7ngman "A heartbeat away" would be about 0.66 seconds, and that's clearly wrong.

]]> w7ngman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125555 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125555 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:33:03 -0800 Comment by John Bailo
The VP is one Critical Mass mob riot away from the...

]]> John Bailo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125569 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125569 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:38:12 -0800 Comment by w7ngman Oh there you are John Bailo. I was beginning to think you'd given up on your quest to fit in with the cool kids in Seattle.

]]> w7ngman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125584 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125584 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:43:21 -0800 Comment by John Bailo
@17: Is this where "cool kids" hang out?

On a SLOG bulletin board that seems mostly to cater to infantile adults with no self-awareness?

]]> John Bailo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125594 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125594 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:47:12 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways I'VE GOT IT!

John Bailo is an anagram for H. Birch Steen!

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125598 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125598 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:49:20 -0800 Comment by w7ngman Infantile adults with no self-awareness? Like, uh, you?

#19, sadly, John Bailo is all too real.

]]> w7ngman http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125606 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125606 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:52:35 -0800 Comment by John Bailo
#19

John Bailo is an anagram for Hobo N' Jail (my NYT moniker).

]]> John Bailo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125610 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125610 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:54:20 -0800 Comment by Matthew How about "one maligant melanoma away"

some alliteration there for ya.

]]> Matthew http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125624 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125624 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:01:43 -0800 Comment by Geni Your hatred for the phrase must explain why it's misspelled in the header. ;-)

I'm all for changing it to "one pretzel-choke away," or "one Viagra overdose away."

]]> Geni http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125628 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125628 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:03:34 -0800 Comment by Dominic Holden @ 23) Wow, I'm stupid. Thank you. It's all fixed now.

]]> Dominic Holden http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125637 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125637 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:07:32 -0800 Comment by Phenics Civility? After Labor Day in and Election Year?


I get it too. At least a pause in the trigger words, there are some long weeks ahead to the final recount.

]]> Phenics http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125652 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125652 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:16:27 -0800 Comment by Greg I agree. This stupid and way-overused expression fills me with rage.

]]> Greg http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125668 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125668 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:23:51 -0800 Comment by The Professor in the Peanut Gallery HEY KIDS: for your back-to-school paper funtime project; compare and contrast how the media uses "black" and "woman" and "old", trigger words for some, during this season's reporting cycle. For extra points, see often "man" or "white" are being used. Be ready to explain.

]]> The Professor in the Peanut Gallery http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125672 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125672 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:25:11 -0800 Comment by International Association of Satirists Well, I say, chappie, how about having Prince Charles a heart beat away from the throne as we do? Quite an alarming prospect. With old horse-face as the Queen. By George!

Baron Sir Humpherey J. Wirthington, BS, OBE, BfD
Commander, North American Division
International Association of Satirists

]]> International Association of Satirists http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125681 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125681 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:30:37 -0800 Comment by darvin jones HATE this phrase. Thanx Dom.

I like "One sniper shot" but that's too harsh for everyday. Plus it's true of anyone. Same for "heartbeat". That's why "One erection away" is effing hilarious AND effective. Its something that just might make people think...

]]> darvin jones http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125706 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125706 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:44:38 -0800 Comment by Cornichon "Ask your doctor if you're healthy enough for sexual activity." Got that, Cindy? No BJs for your ex-POW until election day if you want a shot at being First Chick.

]]> Cornichon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125723 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125723 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:55:57 -0800 Comment by Khan Souphanousinphone Palin look like Peggy Hill.

]]> Khan Souphanousinphone http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125751 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125751 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:22:47 -0800 Comment by PC well no. 28 bests us all.

nos. 1, 3, 7, 8, 15, 20, 22 and 31 -- particularly banal. And predictable.

]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125752 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125752 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:24:58 -0800 Comment by Khan Souphanousinphone But with better wardrobe.

]]> Khan Souphanousinphone http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125757 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125757 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:26:58 -0800 Comment by eliza Palin is only attractive by comparison to GOPer women like "Crazy Eyes" Laura Bush, or that hideous crone, Lynne Cheney - buck-toothed Condi, and mummified Cindy McCain.
GOP people are ugly inside and out.

]]> eliza http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125760 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125760 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:27:48 -0800 Comment by Chalupa Alcatraz-Bailo You people disgust me.

]]> Chalupa Alcatraz-Bailo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125768 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125768 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:31:24 -0800 Comment by Khan Souphanousinphone What that you say? Not PC, not to notice cheap, republican trick? Peggy Hill: community activist; fight city council, fight for worker's rights, fight for immigrants, many fights. Compare to each is honor and very good. Very funny show. Why banal? Palin look like community activist is bad to PC person?

]]> Khan Souphanousinphone http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125777 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125777 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:39:55 -0800 Comment by seriously Its no more annoying than bat-shit crazy, which seems to be the favorite over-used phrase of the slog.

]]> seriously http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125809 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125809 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:29:27 -0800 Comment by NapoleonXIV Heartbeat away has indeed jumped the shark out of the ballpark.

Just sayin'.

]]> NapoleonXIV http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125954 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125954 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:56:16 -0800 Comment by idaho Shouldn't it be zero heartbeats away?

]]> idaho http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125964 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1125964 Media Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:21:55 -0800 Comment by Robert A heartbeat from a daughter having a puppy. I hope its a mixed breed and not just another pit bull with bad lipstick! Abstonance only birth control works! Just ask Palil! And who's the old guy hiding behind her? Is that a war hero?

]]> Robert http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128866 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128866 Media Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:05:46 -0800 Comment by Robert A heartbeat from a daughter having a puppy. I hope its a mixed breed and not just another pit bull with bad lipstick! Abstonance only birth control works! Just ask Palil! And who's the old guy hiding behind her? Is that a war hero?

]]> Robert http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128871 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128871 Media Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:14:30 -0800 Comment by Robert A heartbeat from a daughter having a puppy. I hope its a mixed breed and not just another pit bull with bad lipstick! Abstonance only birth control works! Just ask Palil! And who's the old guy hiding behind her? Is that a war hero?

]]> Robert http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128879 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/09/one_hearbeat_away#c1128879 Media Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:20:58 -0800