The Loop

Catching mistakes

August 20, 2009

Dear Editor,

I quote from a Brian Rattigan letter that you published in the August 17 edition of Golf World: "...perhaps an even worse effort then Tom Watson's eight-footer on 18." This has the obvious error of incorrect word usage. The correct word is "than".

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For you to publish the letter without acknowledging that you realize it is incorrect by using "sic", makes me believe that you do not know it is incorrect.

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Carolyn Bivens is available. I suggest you do the right thing. Immediately hire her as your replacement, and you resign. Her first action as editor will be to implement her "English Proficiency' requirement.

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Michael Smith

Orlando, FL

Dear Michael. We know exactly what were doing. Its just that sometimes we are more careful then others.

Honestly, we tend--intend--to correct minor mistakes like Mr. Rattigan's and avoid the use of "sic" unless such a correction would change the flavor or meaning of a letter or quote. In this case, we whiffed. Thanks for the catch.

--Bob Carney