Posted on 04/05/2012 2:30:39 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
.... the most egregious leftist verbal booby traps....
Pro-choice: This label, used almost universally by conservatives, goes down with one knockout punch: a choice to do evil is never a morally legitimate choice. Stick to "pro-abortion" because it's a truthful label no matter how much leftists may pretend that they "oppose abortion personally.".................
Fair: This word has been unconscionably manipulated by the left. "Fair" is a perfect "wax nose" label: its common meaning is so ambiguous that it can be pummeled by leftists into any shape that suits their propaganda of the moment. To make the word even more recondite, it is untranslatable into one single word in any other language. Yet conservatives who naively, earnestly long to reason together with leftists will sometimes make pathetic attempts to take back the label, like asking, "What do you mean by 'fairness'?" Conservatives, don't even try this. There's only one option for this one: extirpate it from the English language.
Liberal: I just know I'll catch a world of grief over this one. Doesn't every conservative use this label -- even Rush Limbaugh, MarkLevin, SeanHannity, etc.? Yes, and that's regrettable. And no, it's not enough to say you call them "liberals" just because that's what they don't want to be called. In the last two centuries or so, the label "liberal" has had two distinct meanings that are ideologically antithetical, which only causes confusion. In its place, I suggest the label "leftist" and its cognates. This label is ours to define since it has never been appropriated as a self-label by any party or socio-political entity with which it has been associated. I have a simple five-word definition to recommend, one that works every time it's applied to Democrat policies: impose tyranny by deceitful means. (Conservative alternative: enable liberty by truthful means.).....
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
I’m beginning to get the impression that “liberty by truthful means” is experiencing a renaissance!
What planet is this guy from? Conservatives are not the ones who say, "pro-choice."
As the poster above me pointed out, this is a term invented by those who are pro-abortion as a means of language manipulation. It's harder to demonize someone for being "anti-abortion" than it is for being "anti-choice"; "pro-choice" sounds like it encompasses giving women a range of options, while "pro-abortion" (correctly) gives the impression that there is only one end goal here.
Otherwise, I more or less agree with the article. Don't use terms like "social justice" or "fairness", or any other term that has been co-opted by the left. Be as accurate about describing these subjects as possible.
When I hear people say that they “oppose abortion personally, but support peoples right to it”, I usually respond that I oppose slavery personally, but believe that we have the right to it. It annoys the hell out of them.
I tried to edit to fit as much in the excerpt and hit a lot of points. So to be fair to the author and to address your reservations about where he’s “coming from.”...this is the “planet” the author lives on:
.....”Pro-choice: This label, used almost universally by conservatives, goes down with one knockout punch: a choice to do evil is never a morally legitimate choice. Stick to “pro-abortion” because it’s a truthful label no matter how much leftists may pretend that they “oppose abortion personally.” If your interlocutor insists that it’s perfectly OK to cast a living seven-month-gestated botched-abortion baby into the dumpster to die a slow, hideous death, perhaps the more incendiary “pro-murder-by-abortion” would be perfectly appropriate.”....
Good! [words like actions have meaning and we must wield them like a scalpel]
I just finished reading this:
A Bland Society Is a Sensitive Society "............The Department of Education may believe there is no limit to the amount of additional public good that can be achieved through robust censorship and the elimination of certain words and the institutions they represent.
First, we should get rid of any mention of the Renaissance and of the 18th century Age of Enlightenment. Science and the arts flourished during those times, and the idea evolved that Man is fundamentally a creature of Reason. Indeed, this could be highly offensive to emotional people who are not interested in being confused by facts.
Second, we should get rid of all editorial, op-ed and other columns, and indeed all print, social and other electronic media that express any opinions. By their very nature, opinions suggest some sort of value judgment and hierarchy of views and are therefore destined to offend someone, sometime, somewhere.
Third, the English language is rich in words with the power to offend both people and animals. There is no limit to the number of words that could be expunged from our common usage. A blue chip non-partisan Congressional committee could be mobilized to identify them. For example,..........
——, I usually respond that I oppose slavery personally, but believe that we have the right to it. It annoys the hell out of them.-—
Most excellent! I will use this.
Bump!
I hear pro-abortion people use the word, “pro-choice.” Conservatives use the word, “pro-abortion.” Where is his evidence that conservatives use “pro-choice.”
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