It could happen

Posted at 9:10 AM on December 8, 2012 by Bob Collins (5 Comments)

Or it could not happen.

A lot of news stories depend on the power of one word: could (or its cousin, "may")

This week in "could:"

Looming "dairy cliff" could double milk prices (La Crosse Tribune).

Ricky Rubio could make Friday return to Timberwolves. (Sporting News). Nope. He didn't. But the writer covered himself by noting if Rubio didn't play last night, he could play soon.

Rosemount refinery project could boost area fortunes (Star Tribune)

Smoking could make hangovers worse. (CBS)

Raising Medicare age saves money for taxpayers but could lead to higher premiums for seniors (Morning Call)

'Near Blizzard Conditions' Could Come to Parts of Minnesota (Patch)

Fiscal cliff: Minnesota health programs could see $37 million in cuts (PiPress)

Why A 'Fiscal Cliff' Failure Could Help The Economy (NPR)

Analysis: Supreme Court gay marriage ruling could set monumental precedent (Telegraph) You think?

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Comments (5)

The problem with so many "could" stories is that too many people take it as "will".

Posted by Elliott Olson (@AmigaDragon) | December 8, 2012 10:30 AM

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"It could happen": Isn't that basically what tornado/thunderstorm/blizzard/flood watches are saying?

Posted by David G | December 8, 2012 11:01 AM

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Breaking: We could have a tornado today.

Posted by Bob Collins | December 8, 2012 1:15 PM

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They sure could.

Posted by G-Man | December 8, 2012 1:20 PM

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"You don't understand. I could've had class, I coulda been a contender, I could've been somebody ..."

--On the Waterfront

Posted by Robert Moffitt | December 10, 2012 7:59 AM

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