Posted on 03/25/2010 10:12:09 PM PDT by OneLoyalAmerican
Words matter. They speak volumes about issues. So when individuals or groups try to change the words associated with a heated political issue, take note and take care.
The folks at National Public Radio understand the power of words. Managing Editor David Sweeney announced yesterday that the station would no longer refer to people in the abortion debate as "pro-choice" and "pro-life." Instead, the station will say "abortion rights advocates" and "abortion rights opponents," according to a memo circulated to NPR staff.
In making this change, NPR is shifting the terms of the debate to make it more friendly to the pro-choice position.
Being pro-something sounds much nicer than being anti-the other thing. So while the pro-choice and pro-life labels may not be particularly profound -- neither group is anti-choice or anti-life, after all -- they do convey each side's position on a level playing field. One believes women should be able to choose whether to keep a pregnancy, the other believes that even the unborn have an inviolable right to life.
Is NPR planning on referring to advocates of gun control as "gun rights opponents"? As the Cato Institute's David Boaz wrote earlier this month,
In 415 NPR stories on abortion, I found only one reference to ‘abortion advocates,' in 2005. There are far more references, hundreds more, to ‘abortion rights,' ‘reproductive rights,' and "women's rights.' And certainly abortion-rights advocates would insist that they are not ‘abortion advocates,' they are advocates for the right of women to choose whether or not to have an abortion. NPR grants them the respect of characterizing them the way they prefer.
I called Sweeney to ask him if NPR was going to change its terminology concerning gun rights. He did not return my call (I will post an update if he does).
(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...
FYI
Fetal Rights Advocate vs. Fetal Rights Opponent.
I disagree, this will backfire. The word "abortion" stands out like the abomination it represents, and the awkward "abortion rights advocate" doesn't sound any better than "pro-choice".
I can not believe that I actually use to donate money to what is now National Marxist Radio, and my wife donated some of her artwork to fundraisers for the local, WKNO (Memphis)
I guess it has been 25 years now.
Taxpayer money still funding these idiots?
In the event that we actually do recapture the House, can we finaly defund this pile of Sh!& as well as the Health care law.
Lets defund the Education department just to piss off the teachers union too. What are they going to lose their endorsement?
Don’t expect any defunding. We had the opportunity, even during the Gingrich peak years. One whine from the media and GOP lawmakers head for the high weeds. Nothing was so maddening than not using that ability, other than GWB never using the veto pen.
Fetal death advocate.
“Abortion” signifies terminating a human fetus, a human life.
“Pro-choice” misdirects attention from the death act performed to the “right” to do as one pleases in regard to one’s body.
It's hard to imagine “pro-choicers” being generally pleased with now being described as “abortion advocates.” It was formerly all about “their right to a choice”, now its about, yes, an abortion—which assuredly refers to the termination of life, not merely just another “choice”.
I would hope that the way that the Democrats have treated the Republicans would show them how to act when they get the majority. In all reality, I don’t think the house is going to be the problem. The Senate is full of Lindsey Graham & McCain who are always want to ‘Reach Around” HA and help out their “good friends’ on the other side of the aisle
NPR should be one of the first programs to be cut once there are fiscally responsible adults in charge of the nation again. It’s a waste of money and provides no benefit. There are plenty of outlets for leftist propaganda so that they don’t need my money to pay for it as well.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
NPR is no longer called a ‘news’ organization.
It’s an AgitProp arm of the Leftist Complex.
The word "abortion" stands out like the abomination it represents, and the awkward "abortion rights advocate" doesn't sound any better than "pro-choice".
Interesting take and I'll respectfully disagree with that argument.
The life, liberty and pursuit of happiness rights that men enjoy are an endowment from our Creator. As stated as such in the roots of our Nation's founding document, the Declaration of Independence.
IMHO, NPR's move is calculated to redefine the pro-life community, marginalizing the right-to-life moral high ground.
Cheers,
OLA
“Pro baby-killer”?
Lets defund the Education department
Throw in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Department of Energy (DOE), Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Department of Agriculture. Heck, we can eliminate the Washington congressional staffs and the offices.
Congresscritters ought to telecommute to Washington and work exclusively from their home districts. Ever notice, whenever it's our representative's turn to bloviate on C-Span, the chamber is empty.
Cheers,
OLA
Greetings qwertypie:
Spot on!
Cheers,
OLA
I would LOVE to see that. But let’s face facts if they actually defunded ANYTHING it would be great!
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