At last, President Obama realizes that he is overpaid

Far be it from me to criticize any politician who realizes that he is overpaid.

Far be it from me to criticize any politician who – upon the realization that he is, in fact, overpaid – offers to return a portion of his inflated salary.

That's just not my way to criticize a politician when he's had a "come to Jesus" epiphany.

Thus, you may understand my surprise when liberal Washington Post (pardon the redundancy) columnist Richard Cohen went on the offensive against President Obama for offering a stunning 5 percent of his $400,000 yearly salary back to the U.S. Treasury Department.

Frankly, President Obama ought to be commended, praised even, for recognizing that his $20,000 contribution to a nation that is trillions of dollars in debt will do so much to offset this fiscal imbalance.

The impact of President Obama's self-inflicted pay cut cannot be overestimated as to what it will do for the nation's debt.

Without question, this personal sacrifice is similar to one I made not long ago while offshore in Atlantic waters. In my case, I sacrificed in order to combat the rising ocean currents and warm spring tides. (Some said my restraint was commendable.)

In the president's case, he sacrificed … wait a minute. What, exactly did he sacrifice?

Smart money says it was less than a … er, spit in the ocean.

As Mr. Cohen (who is NOT part of the so-called vast, right-wing conspiracy media) writes:

• "The president makes $400,000 a year."

• "He is provided living quarters on Pennsylvania Avenue."

• "He (is provided) several limos."

• "He (is provided) an (Oval) office and some very nice bedrooms, one named for a former occupant, the late President Lincoln.

• "The president also gets a $50,000 expense account and an additional $100,000 for travel."

• "But wait: This president is independently rich. Obama has made a small fortune in book royalties; and last year, the president and Michelle Obama reported an adjusted gross income of $789,674."

Mr. Cohen concludes: "The $20,000 Obama is kicking back to the Treasury is a pittance that will not be missed. (What’s the difference between $789,674 and $769,674?) His taking a wee haircut on his salary is just a PR stunt from the White House that’s more insulting than it is empathetic."

But again, far be it from me to criticize any politician who realizes that he his overpaid.

In this case, he simply underestimated the overpayment.

* * *

Since I am in an understanding mood today, I also will not criticize The Associated Press for dropping the term "illegal immigrant" and revising its accepted usage for the word "Islamist."

Nope. I'm not going to write a single word about it.

Ahh, who am I kidding? The hell I'm not.

For those who missed it, The Associated Press recently decided that the term "illegal immigrant" is no longer appropriate to describe people who reside in the United States illegally.

How's that?

Yes, you read it correctly.

The AP's media bible, its often cited stylebook, now mandates: "Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use 'illegal' only to refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant."

After many years in this business, I do have an opinion or two about The Associated Press, in its national capacity as well as its Ohio association – which has no qualms about not publishing a story on one of its thieving affiliates north of Highland County.

My own thoughts on rewriting the AP Stylebook? Just another step in line with 21st century Political Correctness.

If the AP won't use "illegal immigrant," will it also refrain from using "convicted drug dealer" or "confessed killer?"

They can rewrite their damned stylebook 'til the cows come home, but it won't change the facts.

Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio told U.S. News, "If a person enters the United States illegally, that's how we should refer to their status and not try to soften the crime of entering illegally by calling it something else."

I agree.

William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration, said that the AP's "Big Brother" stylebook update was "political correctness on steroids."

I agree.

And then there was this gem from Jay Leno, who joked that he would use the term "undocumented Democrats."

Absolutely no comment, whatsoever.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.