When we don’t say what we really mean
Isn’t this age of euphemism great? We change words and their meaning to fit whatever narrative we’re seeking to advance. When “global warming” didn’t pick up the desired traction, it morphed into “climate change.” Abortion has been cleverly repositioned as “pro-choice,” and more recently, “women’s reproductive rights.”
And now, we no longer have illegal aliens. Instead, we have “undocumented immigrants.” Sounds so much kinder, gentler, don’t you think?
Of course, manipulation of language to promote an underlying agenda isn’t a new idea. George Orwell introduced the concept of “newspeak” in his classic book “1984.” We’re just a few decades late in fully implementing this practice.
What’s next in this mad rush to invent new terminology and redefine old terms? Here are some possibilities we could consider:
Speeding becomes “undocumented acceleration.” Robbery becomes “undocumented change of ownership.” Drug dealing becomes “undocumented pharmaceutical distribution.” Murder becomes “undocumented life termination.” Prostitution could be “undocumented sexual entrepreneurship.”
We don’t want to offend anyone by accusing them of doing something illegal, right? It’s not what you say, but exactly what you say.
Robert J. Tamasy
Hixson
McCain legacy casts shadow over Trump
Sen. John McCain, a rare giant of integrity, will forever cast a long shadow within which little, ignoble men of no consequence such as D.J. Trump will always fade to nothing. They leave behind only the stench of the evils they bequeath us. Now as we celebrate McCain’s life and mourn his passing, the least respect Trump should show is to stand silent and bowed in a corner, relinquishing his ugly addiction to center stage.
Let Trump express privately to the McCain family his overdue apologies and true sympathy, and pronounce quietly to our country the honor he has denied this senator. At best, let Trump try to pattern the few remaining years of his very small life after “an officer and a gentleman” who lived and served “big.” Unfortunately, the men and women who represent us in Washington today cannot achieve even the imperfections of John McCain, to which he himself referred, let alone his accomplishments.
Where are those other Republicans who will “speak truth to power” through personal integrity of action? Where are those who understand that America is only as great as its individual leaders and citizens?
Rebecca Rolston Raymond
Hixson
Trump right rattling NATO countries
I’ve enjoyed watching our apolitical president make waves in the NATO pond. Those complaining about his lack of diplomacy are missing the entire point. If I could advise him, here’s what he would say:
“I want all you NATO leaders to think about how many American military are buried in cemeteries here in Europe, versus how many English, French, Germans, Spanish, Dutch, Italians, Danish, etc., military dead are buried in war cemeteries in the U.S.A.
“Think. How much money American taxpayers have sent to war-devastated Europe, comparing that amount to how much all of you have spent rebuilding highways and bridges in our nation.
“Do you see why the people I represent are upset and want to stop spending billions on your defenses? Do you understand why I cannot be nice about this?”
Bill Laudeman
Red Bank