who vs. that

“Thank you, Jesus,” Victoria Osteen said after jurors rejected an assault charge from a Continental Airlines flight attendant.

“All I can say is that I’m grateful, and I just thank everybody that supported me,” she told reporters.

The attempt at graciousness was weakened by her word choice. Who is for people and named pets. That is for unnamed animals and objects. Not exactly an effective way to say thanks.

The Lakewood Church co-pastor went on to say, “I feel like I’m just grateful that the truth was able to be turned in my favor and that I can just move forward.”

No wonder her husband, Joel, gives the televised sermons.

Although it’s grammatically sound, Victoria’s statement, “the the truth was able to be turned in my favor,” has an awful connotation, suggesting that facts were manipulated to her advantage.

And as to feeling like she’s grateful? Why not just feel grateful?