Why does “or” always sound to us as XOR?

“[The president] wishes in earnestness and sincerity to make it clear that all of the delegates in this convention are free to vote for any candidate.

“Any candidate? Did that include Roosevelt himself? In the confusion, before a debate could break out in the convention hall, a voice suddenly roared over the loudspeakers: “Illinois Wants Roosevelt! Ohio Wants Roosevelt! We All Want Roosevelt!” Delegates quickly joined in on the chant, and “We Want Roosevelt!” echoed through the Chicago Stadium rafters.

“And whom did that voice on the loudspeakers belong to? None other than Thomas Garry, superintendent of Chicago’s Department of Sanitation and—more importantly—boss of the 27th Ward and a loyal footsoldier of Chicago Mayor Ed Kelly, a New Dealer and an FDR loyalist.

“History does not reveal whether this “voice from the sewers” was Kelly’s brainchild or was inspired by people inside Roosevelt’s inner circle. What is clear is that the rallying cry helped stampede the convention into nominating FDR for a third term in office.

We now understand what history does: whereas events will conspire against us. Without intention. Without judgement.

Jeff Greenfield – http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/06/political-conventions-democratic-republican-great-moments-accidental-famous-speeches-brokered-214001 3 juli 16