Hi Don,
Actually I agree. I believe, English words should be lexically phonetic and standardised. In saying that- English and American readers are aware of the difference between words. I could write a poem about a ploughman or a plowman and it would be quite acceptable.
Andrew Jackson, US President 1829-37
'It is a damn poor mind that can think of only one way to spell a word'
And I think this is a good one.
Humphrey Bogart
'You're not a star until they can spell your name in Karachi'
Regards,
John