This stuff really shouldn't faze me anymore, but once in a while I read something that is so silly, I can't help but comment.

The latest example was a really funny sentence uttered by Sean McCormack at the U.S. State Department, who said that the U.S. was "disturbed" by the jailing of an AIDS activist in China. <LINK>

I'm not trying to downplay the underlying story or the importance of appropriate diplomatic relations. However, we establish these elaborate rules for ourselves over the years that we take for granted. Once in a while, it's healthy to step back and note this kind of thing.

The U.S. is "disturbed." This means that the U.S. doesn't like it, wants the world to know it, but doesn't really care that much. I think the next level up would be something like "greatly disturbed" and the next level down maybe is "concerned." I don't have a handbook, although I'm sure one exists.

Am I the only one who finds this extremely amusing?