Quick Language Rant

Over the past couple of two weeks I've heard many numerous people employ the use of a tautological phrase plentifully, numerous times. The exact specific context of the tautology changed and differed each time, but every time it always took a form similar to this:

Studio: And, Ken, what do the people there think of their Government's decision to change the national anthem?

Location: Well, Sandra, the people we've spoken to have had various different opinions and only time will tell how well this decision is accepted among the population.

For those of you who didn't spot the stupidity in that last sentence, the words various and different are synonyms, so there is obviously no need for both words. I have heard this used with frightening frequency of late and mostly by TV presenters. These people speak for a living, surely they should know better.

As well as that travesty the (relatively) new person who sits near me at work is contunually abusing the language by using some variation of the pharase "and may you please send me that information?" Where did this person learn the meaning of may?