"[blah blah] said the county government was concerned about what impact the proposed budget will have on local government and encouraged the governor to "lessen the impact on the most vulnerable citizens." Mr. Schwarzenegger retorted that the proposed cuts should be avoided at all costs and said that the primary way to prevent future cuts is to keep spending and revenue growth in line." Two lines from a story I wrote. I've highlighted the problematic paraphrase.. What I wanted to say was that cuts like the ones proposed should be avoided at all costs....obviously if he's pushing this budget he doesn' want to see the proposed cuts that are part and parcel to it "avoided." But does the hypothetical ring still come across in the original sentence? I mean, "should" doesn't have the same force as "must.' But still, technically speaking, is this something that needs a real correction (as in, published correction) doh.
hope you got my notes on this in email reply... feel free to paste 'em here, if you want a second opinion from other members... love and hugs, maia
