You've seen it too? Journalists and headliners who use the word "fresh" to describe violence more recent than what was last reported? Has the old violence gone stale to the sensation connoissuer's blood lust? No fresh meat for the news cycle? Don't worry, there's been some "fresh" violence to consume. We'll show it to you. Look!

What are they thinking? "Fresh" almost always has a positive connotation when it means something is new. It speaks to unspoiled quality, to air we like to breathe and the like.

In its negative or slang usages, "fresh" describes a cheeky attitude, or at its worst, ill-presumed mutual consent to certain affections.

But to modify "violence" with it? That's a violation of the word and if you do that enough, you steep the language in negativity, and that's not refreshing at all.

How about simply putting the new date to the violence? It would be more factual and more useful for those comparing the reports with other current events and trying to make sense of them.

John McCain's challenge for Senator Obama to limit his campaign spending begs this question:

Now that there is a serious prospect for a black American to be President of the U.S., why is he asked to drop his Pacific and Atlantic sails for his historically privileged opponent with sails designed for the Persian Gulf?

Had McCain's challenge come before he learned that Obama was fundraising the rain out of the sky, with the popular vote seemingly arriving by advance dollars, it would be credible. It only came after he realized how far behind Obama has become in fundraising. There is a public groundswell of support for Mr. Obama.

Obama will also beat challenges to his depth and capacity for the office by being a quick-study, using his youthful energies for that purpose, and daring to lead and learn at once. No one running for president this year has ever been president, so the experience attack will not govern among senators.