Master of Psychological Manipulation does it again

[uppityperson]

Did you hear that we are not at war, that the War on Terror has changed to a Struggle against Extremism? What a subtle bit of psychological manipulation. They are geniuses. This change of terminology scares the hell out of me.

First there was a "War on Terror" after the traumatic events of 9/11. Rah rah let's roll let's smoke them out show them they can't do that again, oh crap, Saddam can make nukes, we'll take him out too!!!!!! (i pledge allegiance to the flaggie....) Nationalism disguised as patriotism. Now it is not a war but a struggle against world extremists. But all the same stuff is still happening, all our rights are still taken away, the enemy is everywhere, report tips on your neighbors, on suspicious people, watch out be afraid and alert they are everywhere!!!! We must keep you safe, hold onto your rights because only we can keep you safe.

Fuck. This language change scares me. More subtle Orwellian bs taking us further down the road to doom. I am sick today, have a sore throat and cold and am not sure if my distaste is due to this or not. Can you help me see the bright side of this? Thank you.

[Warren DeMontague]

1. I'm currently engaged in the struggle against extremism, myself.

I call it being a registered Democrat.

[uppityperson]

2. I also find the language change ironic.

It just scares me, will blur the edges of what is totally unacceptable to maybe ok when it really is totally unacceptable.

[Dover]

3. Relax. A Rove by any other name still stinks

The Neocons are the "extremists".....and they will be treated accordingly. Their attempts to claim themselves the mainstream will naturally fail.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. That's okay, in a couple years it will be "wrestling with wackiness"

or maybe the "Imbroglio with Islam"

How about a "Scuffle with Ruffians"?


Or- I've got it; a "Rhubarb-Flavored Hubbub Regarding Knob-Gobbling Hobgoblins from Gobbler's Knob"?

[applegrove]

5. Here we are. Back in 1970. Or is it ahead to 1970s policy? Neocon

labels and myth building failed. Just like everything else they have tried.

[liberaltrucker]

6. Orwell was 21 years off.

[gumby]

7. Randi talked about this language change today.

struggle = kampf in German, you know.... as in Mein Kampf.
struggle = jihad in Arabic.... there ya go.

Remember when Bush first used the word 'crusade'? Now, His Crusade has turned into His Struggle.... to take over the world.

They DO have a way with words, don't they?

[uppityperson]

8. Exactly.War, in theory, has goals, and end. Struggle never does.

It reminds me of mein kampf, this was my first thought upon hearing the terminology change. Now we can't complain about the war because it isn't a war, see? We're just struggling against Those Who Would Cause Us Harm. I am hoping it is last throes, but you know how those go.

[Neshanic]

9. Hey, there's a cool show on FX about the war!

The alternate universe of the DU.

One thread about a cool show glorifying the war, and making it "entertaining", and then this thread.

[Booster]

10. It's probably because when they decide to pull out they can say

"well, it was only a struggle, not a war".

[Deja Q]

11. Extremism = anyone who doesn't toe the neocon line...

[marions ghost]

12. I don't think this will sell...even in fundieland

--'war on terra' is catchy and dramatic and sounds "strong."
'Struggle against extremism' is a lot more nebulous. When wars are found to be unwinnable they downgrade it to an eternal struggle... but this pathetic attempt at message tinkering will fall flat is my guess. Can their minions even stay on message anymore?

[Gabi Hayes]

13. "Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice."

you know who said that

also, Daily Show had a bit on this today, and, as you can imagine, was very bemused, shall we say

alllso, I heard on the radio today that Frank Luntz was behind the change of wording, using his infamous focus group to get JUST the precise language

I googled that last, trying to find a link, but to no avail

anybody surprised that Orwell's worst nightmare might be the evil 'genius' behind this?

[Warren DeMontague]

14. Yeah, and compared to today's GOP, Goldwater is a flaming moderate

he even said so himself.