New rule: If you are using the word "community," ask yourself whether "city" would do as well, and if so, why you are not using "city."

Can we, those of us who have chosen to live in and to love cities, agree to promote the concept that cities are not disjointed, snotty, communist, perverted, dangerous non-communities, but instead just as communally functional, and in fact often even more caring, than non-urban places?

I thought of this while listening to a contemporary art museum thank its donors recently. "Gifts to the community" and all that. Why doesn't anyone ever say "gifts to the city"? Because selfless generosity isn't something we associate with cities?

Pish posh.

Meanwhile, "community" sounds disingenuous as hell to me.

Just a request this fine Monday.