I always have a laugh when I read about people being 'annoyed' by words/phrases or making grrrrrowling noises about them. Language is a tool, so you might as well get pee'd off by a screwdriver!
People use the words that are effective for THEM without reference to anyone else, so your annoyance isn't going to change anything and just eats away at YOU.
The words - indeed, period and absolutely - are all three just emphasisers and those who decry Americanisms presumably avoid ever saying airline, babysitter, employee, bank on, hold down (a job) and stay put...each and every one an example of the multitudes of wonderful words/phrases originally coined in the USA.
Actual mistakes, now, these are a different matter. Writing 'could of' when 'could've' is meant, just because they sound alike, is grotesque. Similarly - and I agree totally with Andy on this - we don't 'battle' against cancer and nor is every man who enlists and is posted to Afghanistan a 'hero'.
Basically, (Oops!) and unless what they are saying is actually wrong, why not just let people express themselves as they see fit? You do.