Posted on 01/25/2004 11:32:09 AM PST by chance33_98
Linguistic attacks leave Left crippled
In a June 14, 2003 interview for www.salon.com, Erica Jong, a master wordsmith in her own right ("Fear of Flying"), had this to say about words and politics: "The right wing has redefined reproductive choice. They've captured the language. They say that they're 'pro-life' and many young people think that they are pro-life, too. They (the right wing) won the linguistic debate. And when you win the linguistic debate, you've won the debate. Period."
Given the truth of this statement, the parlance of our times has never been so dangerous.
Tuesday's State of the Union Address shone light on a blade wielded so wisely and ferociously by the Right, a weapon bungled and broken by the Democratic Party. President Bush - or rather, his political cadre - have manipulated and mastered the arsenal of language, an arsenal that, fortunately for him and neocons everywhere, the American public has grossly underestimated.
Let's take a look at some choice excerpts from the president's current assessment of the United States. Bush spends a substantial amount of time defending an initiative that was central to his very election, the No Child Left Behind Act, an act that stipulates that children not be shuttled from grade to grade like so much livestock.
Now, who but an ogre would dare disagree with or oppose something so compassionate and forward thinking as this? Who, indeed, would say, "Hey, I want to leave children behind! I don't care a whit for them!" I bet those cold-hearted, flat-affected Democrats would. Bastards. Never mind the program is severely overburdened and underfunded, rendering Bush's promises totally hypocritical and void of meaning.
Another example of Bush's brilliance in the linguistic arena comes with the Patriot Act, and his assertions that this act protects our nation's very security. Who, among you readers, desires to be unpatriotic? I can think of no person who craves that label, who spends fervent nights awake lamenting his classification as a supporter of his country and all it stands for.
And, of course, the kicker comes with Bush's declaration that, "Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage." Actually, no, President Bush. I have long thought marriage should be a profane institution relegated solely to reality television shows and Las Vegas wedding chapels, only to be quickly annulled the following day.
Kidding aside, we begin to see the veiled acumen of Republicans' stake on euphemisms. Everyone loves children and has a vested interest in their future. We all strive to embody patriotism, especially post-Sept. 11. No one, in her heart of hearts, wants to see a mockery made of marriage.
Therein lies the majesty of what the Right has done. Everyone agrees with them. Reviewing the text of Bush's State of the Union, I agree wholeheartedly with practically everything he says. And when people are in agreement, they tend not to delve deeply into details. And why should they? They believe the president is in their corner, that they share a common, hallowed ground.
However, when you scrape away the surface sheen of language, you begin to see the Patriot Act severely undermines our civil liberties by allowing the government to monitor our actions and disclose our confidential personal information to innumerable "intelligence" agencies of questionable legitimacy. Peel away the pretty words, and you find "sanctity of marriage" applies not to those who would love and honor one another, but only to men and women, regardless of what they would do to pervert the love implicit in such a union.
By establishing a monopoly on this market of words, Republicans have dealt a fatal blow to Democrats. Sure, Democrats can counter reproductive propaganda with such carefully crafted phrases as "pro-choice," but the Republicans churn out positive catch phrases with such speed and alacrity, liberals will never catch up. And, even if Democrats could muster some clever slogans, the solid ones have already been firmly embedded in the American psyche, and are just as firmly associated with George W. Bush and his affiliates. The Democrats dropped the ball on this one, possibly the most important issue of all, and they can never pick it up.
As it stands, Democrats attack the Right with a barrage of negativity. The Patriot Act does not help us - rather, it hurts our liberties and therefore our country. The No Child Left Behind Act does not live up to its promises. These statements are true, and Democrats are right in exposing the truth behind such beautifully packaged refuse. However, Democratic Party representatives come across as whiny, combative and - worst of all - reactive rather than proactive.
Living as we do in a high-anxiety environment, we need assurance that our leaders will protect us rather than nurse our wounds after the fact. We need to hear soothing, inspiring words - words that give us comfort and hope and put our worried minds at ease.
Too bad Republicans have all the right words.
- Karla Saia is an English senior and opinion editor for The Daily Aztec.
- This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Send letters to letters@thedailyaztec.com. Anonymous letters will not be printed - include your full name, major and year in school.
Yep -- at least she called House Democrats whiny, and didn't say, unlike Shales, that Ted Kennedy should be on Mount Rushmore!
If everyone loves children why does the left require them to attend failed schools?
If we all strive for patriotism, why does the left oppose virtually every defensive action this country takes?
If no one in "her" (sic) heart of hearts wants to see a mockery made of marriage, why does the left want to broaden it to any group of people or animals?
Actually, maam, we understand you abuse language to say these three things you don't really mean. We know you know you are lying.
Ann Coulters a genius... she went directly at the problem too.. by exposing that Joseph McCarthy was on the right track but only scratched the surface in her book "Treason".. Republicans need a backbone not words anyway.. And THOSE words held up by a backbone would be withering..
(except the military votes)
The best reaction shots were those of Ted Kennedy, whose stature seems to grow right along with his nose year after year after year. Kennedy has now reached a grand moment in the life of a senator; he looks like Hollywood itself cast him in the role. Seriously. With that waving mane of bright white hair, he evokes memories of Claude Rains looking distinguished as all get-out in Frank Capra's once- controversial, now-classic movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." ...
Kennedy looked great, like he was ready to take his place next to Jefferson on Mount Rushmore. He gives off the kind of venerable vibes that some of us got from an Everett Dirksen way back when...
Oh, brother.
Excuse me, but what is underfunded about the No Child Left Behind act? They tripled federal spending and it was never needed. After all, all we are asking is that the schools PROVE that they have done what the local communities already paid for, i.e. the child can read and write at a normal level for their age. Sheesh, it's not that republicans have the word advantage, it's that republicans have the BRAIN advantage.
For you it HAS to be the Evil of the Right---which is why I believe the Left will begin terrorist operations in the USA in less than three years.I'd wholeheartedly agree with that, except that the terrorist operations have already begun, long ago, for example, with the Earth Liberation Front and the political shenanigans in the "Democrats'" efforts to create a single party state.
Its not a choice its abortion/death.
Its not gay, its a depraved and depressing habit
Its not a "marriage" its two people of the same sex scamming the system for free benifits.
There is nothing malicious about republicans calling things what they are. Its the libs that would use language to cover-up their unpopular beliefs.
Do you think that the lack of a similar book on how the Republicans have "captured the language" would have any impact on her?I doubt it. (': I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that she's "cognitively closed"... okay, maybe it does.
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