Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Welcome to the World of Newspeak
American Thinker ^ | October 22, 2009 | Janet Levy

Posted on 10/21/2009 11:27:44 PM PDT by bogusname

In George Orwell's novel, "1984," Newspeak refers to language designed by a totalitarian regime to control thought and make subversive speech impossible. It destroyed words with prohibited meanings so that heretical thoughts couldn't be expressed. A form of censorship, Newspeak employed euphemisms and words deliberately opposite the reality they described. For example, "joycamp" was the term assigned to forced-labor camps. The "Ministry of Truth" was in actuality an organ of disinformation.

Newspeak was created to institute thought control and thereby exert political control through restrictive changes to the language. The term is now commonly used to refer to attempts to obscure the truth, especially in political rhetoric which abounds with instances of it. For example, President Obama's administration has officially replaced "terrorism" with the phrase "man-caused disasters." Terrorist activity, such as suicide bombings perpetuated by Al Qaeda and other Islamic groups, is now benignly called "anti-Islamic acts." In abortion debates, the taking of a human life is reframed as a "woman's right to choose."

Newspeak usage also crops up in legislation with titles that are the exact opposite of a bill's intent. With ever-shortening American attention spans and media's increasing focus on entertainment news, Newspeak is not simply a fictional danger but a real threat to the practice of democracy in America. Some recent examples include: "The Respect for Marriage Act," "The Employee Free Choice Act," "Internet Freedom Preservation Act," "American Clean Energy and Security Act" and "America's Healthy Future Act." A quick examination of each reveals Newspeak at work.

H.R. 3567 or "The Respect for Marriage Act"

Introduced in Congress last month, this measure would repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act , which makes it clear that states have the right to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. "The Respect for Marriage Act" would redefine marriage to include the union of any two people in a committed relationship, essentially forcing same-sex "marriage" on all states.

This, despite a national Rasmussen poll indicating that 68% of likely voters hold traditional views of the institution of marriage and 67% believe that voters, not activist judges or government bureaucrats, should make decisions defining marriage. A May 2009 Gallup poll found that 48% of Americans felt that allowing legal same-sex marriages would "change our society for the worse." "The Respect for Marriage Act" is anything but. Nothing "respectful" exists about the government repealing existing legal protections of marriage against the wishes of American voters.

The "Employee Free Choice Act" (H.R. 800)

This measure would replace the existing secret ballot elections for union membership with a system in which workers must publicly sign union cards; in effect, no free choice. Under the bill's provisions, once a majority of company employees sign union cards, all the company's workers will be forced to join the union without necessarily having an opportunity to vote on the decision; in effect, no free choice.

Public knowledge of voting results leaves workers vulnerable to harassment and intimidation, thereby eliminating employee ability to choose freely. In addition, the Employee Free Choice Act requires binding arbitration in employment disputes by government officials who have little knowledge of the workings of the business and are unaccountable for the consequences of their rulings. This denies workers the ability to bargain and vote on their employment contracts.

In reality, "free choice" is maintained by the current, secret ballot elections that respect worker privacy and limit union coercion. In actuality, card-checking union preferences strips workers of free choice, while mandatory arbitration robs them of the ability to bargain with their employers.

The "Internet Freedom Preservation Act"

Also referred to as "Net Neutrality," this proposal represents an unprecedented expansion of Internet regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the exact opposite of Internet freedom. It would allow the FCC to regulate the speed and pricing of traffic across public and private broadband networks. It would create a bureaucratic structure to control competition and customer service. It would mandate what data companies can or cannot prioritize.

Further, it raises privacy concerns because it will enable the federal government to track users. Consumers have been well-served by an open Internet system in which private sector competition and innovation has nurtured an environment that anyone can use to develop new applications and content. This freedom will be stifled rather than "preserved" with the unbridled expansion of federal government power over the Internet that will be put in place with "Net Neutrality."

The "American Clean Energy and Security Act"

This bill provides no energy security at all for Americans because it would substantially raise energy prices while subsidizing unproven energy sources and taxing reliable energy sources. It is an attempt by the government to force costlier energy options on the public by lavishing substantial tax breaks on so-called renewables. The contention that this bill will improve the environment is a fallacy.

In fact, the American Clean Energy and Security Act will sacrifice economic growth and jobs and actually reduce funding for environmental protectionism. Even believing for a moment that carbon dioxide emissions harm the climate, U.S. consumption changes will pale in comparison to energy use in China, India and other developing countries that will not cut their emissions. Ironically, it is the wealthiest nations that have the cleanest environments. As far as "security" is concerned, a country with a contracted economy with costly or few energy options, is a country less able to defend itself and thereby less secure.

"America's Healthy Future Act"

This "Obamacare" is in essence government-controlled socialized medicine. It will reduce health care availability and increase wait times for medical services. It will harm the health of Americans, exact heavy costs and restrict freedom of choice.

Currently, 74% of U.S. citizens make scheduled doctors appointments within four weeks, compared to only 40% of Canadians with their government-sponsored healthcare. In the United Kingdom's socialized medicine system, breast cancer mortality is 88% higher and prostate cancer mortality is 604% higher than the incidence in the current U.S. system.

Rationing of services, which will directly affect the morbidity and mortality of the elderly, is a central feature of America's Healthy Future Act. With a goal of reducing health spending by 30% over the next two decades, the bill, in its "essential benefits" clause, expressly restricts the amount of money a person may spend on health care and, by extension, on certain interventions. In this way, the government takes control over quality of life and end of life decisions. It is not difficult to see how this bill will result in a less "healthy future" for Americans.

The titles of the above-cited bills are clearly at odds with their intent. The misleading language serves only to muddle their true objectives and befuddle the public. Thus, America seems to be drifting down the slippery slope that Orwell depicted in his fictional totalitarian society in "1984." Clarity of language is critical for sound decision-making and informed voting that are the pillars of our democracy. Deceptive language like "newspeak" is a grave threat to freedom and a sure route to greater government control. George Orwell may have been prescient when he wrote "1984;" he just had the wrong year.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: censorship; internet; marriage; obama

1 posted on 10/21/2009 11:27:45 PM PDT by bogusname
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bogusname

I am recommending two movies/books to my friends these days: 1984 and the Manchurian Candidate. They just about sum up what appears to be happening in our country today!


2 posted on 10/21/2009 11:41:58 PM PDT by LiteKeeper (When do the impeachment proceedings begin?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LiteKeeper

That’s exactly what I know. I can’t believe as a nation we’ve let it come to this.


3 posted on 10/21/2009 11:43:51 PM PDT by bogusname (Banish All Lliberals)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bogusname

bookmark


4 posted on 10/22/2009 12:02:21 AM PDT by Aria ( "The US republic will endure until Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the people's $.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bogusname

I just recently learned from my propaganda masters that we were in the “Great Recession”. :)


5 posted on 10/22/2009 12:02:21 AM PDT by allmost
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: allmost

Actually we’re in the middle of a grand takeover of the United States. Obama and all that support him need to be stopped.


6 posted on 10/22/2009 12:06:14 AM PDT by bogusname (Banish All Lliberals)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: bogusname
It's only been 9 months. Another year until the mid terms. The wide-scale commandeering and flat out theft that has occurred in such a short period of time is truly frightening. I fear for what my 16 year-old son is going to have to deal with more than anything else. Dems thirst for money and power is insatiable and there is no concern for any person, any principle, or any thing in their quest for it.
7 posted on 10/22/2009 12:18:40 AM PDT by allmost
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: allmost

Agreed, I’ve never seen so much unchecked evil in my life. In the eyes of the liberals/democrats right is wrong and wrong is right.


8 posted on 10/22/2009 12:22:51 AM PDT by bogusname (Banish All Lliberals)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: bogusname
We now have terms such as “fairness” and “neutrality” to hide the opposite meanings. Make no mistake about it, these are intentional on the part of the Obama regime.
9 posted on 10/22/2009 12:32:00 AM PDT by Nosterrex
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: allmost

The USA...welcome to Brazil.


10 posted on 10/22/2009 12:57:49 AM PDT by ffusco (The President will return this country to what it once was...An arctic wasteland covered in ice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: allmost

As long as he can shoot straight


11 posted on 10/22/2009 1:05:31 AM PDT by GeronL (http://tyrannysentinel.blogspot.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: LiteKeeper; 444Flyer; TaraP; Diana in Wisconsin; Esther Ruth; Travis McGee; Jeff Head; pissant; ...
Check this out ... here's some "newspeak" for ya ... a Bible cover honoring the guy who wants to repeal protection of traditional marriage, fought against BAIPA and ain't too friendly to Israel, the Apple of God's Eye ...



It was shown to be still available at the below link, as late as last week - looks like they've pulled the "product" ...

http://www.3bgifts.com/error.asp?error=89&catalogid=602989&prdinc=1
12 posted on 10/22/2009 1:17:01 AM PDT by F15Eagle (1 John 5:4-5, 4:15, John 11:25, 14:6, 1 Tim 2:5, John 3:17-18, John 20:31, 1 John 5:13, John 6:69)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle

That is “double extra ungood”.


13 posted on 10/22/2009 3:07:26 AM PDT by Neidermeyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


14 posted on 10/22/2009 4:18:12 AM PDT by libertarian27 (Land of the FEE, home of the SHAMED)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: bogusname

Great essay. I would expect nothing less than Newspeak from our communist traitor mole POTUS.


15 posted on 10/22/2009 4:18:36 AM PDT by Travis McGee (---www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com---)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bogusname

For those of you who have not read both 1984 and Animal Farm, it is free and on the internet in Adobe PDF format at the following websites:

1984: http://www.msxnet.org/orwell/print/1984.pdf

Animal Farm: http://www.msxnet.org/orwell/print/animal_farm.pdf

I believe that these two short books should be read by everyone that has any shred of a brain and a yearning for freedom.


16 posted on 10/22/2009 4:40:57 AM PDT by DH (The government writes no bill that does not line the pockets of special interests.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DH

thanks


17 posted on 10/22/2009 5:10:56 AM PDT by bogusname (Banish All Lliberals)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle
Something out of Daniel or Revelation 13 would have been more appropriate.
18 posted on 10/22/2009 7:51:45 AM PDT by 444Flyer ("Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."--Mignon McLaughlin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle
That is blasphemous.
19 posted on 10/22/2009 7:53:02 AM PDT by 444Flyer ("Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."--Mignon McLaughlin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: HollyB; MestaMachine; Saoirise; ~Kim4VRWC's~; penelopesire; SE Mom; hoosiermama; maggief
Time to start a “Newspeak” word and translation list under this administration.

Example:

A terrorist is now a ‘refugee’ under Obama.

“State Department: Gitmo Detainees Are “Refugees””

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2367536/posts

20 posted on 10/22/2009 8:00:46 AM PDT by 444Flyer ("Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers."--Mignon McLaughlin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle

I consider 0bama to be God’s chastisement for NOT praying and seeking His face.


21 posted on 10/22/2009 8:02:38 AM PDT by MrB (The only difference between a humanist and a Satanist is that the latter knows who he's working for.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: MrB

Liberation theology = slavery to the stare


22 posted on 10/22/2009 9:35:42 AM PDT by MtnClimber (Bernard Madoff's ponzi scheme looks remarkably similar to the way Social Security works)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: MtnClimber
slavery to the stare

Similar to the "evil eye" I'm sure...
Actually, I believe "liberation theology" is just a racist demand to use the power of the State to steal from "whitey" and give to the "oppressed peoples of the world".

23 posted on 10/22/2009 9:49:35 AM PDT by MrB (The only difference between a humanist and a Satanist is that the latter knows who he's working for.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: F15Eagle

Too bad the verse they quote does not apply to the United States!


24 posted on 10/22/2009 10:56:00 AM PDT by LiteKeeper (When do the impeachment proceedings begin?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: bogusname

bookmark


25 posted on 10/23/2009 11:57:11 AM PDT by thouworm
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson