General Discussion

DetlefK

(16,423 posts) Tue Feb 6, 2018, 11:55 AM Feb 2018

It's weird how certain political words have changed their meanings...

Before 9/11, a terrorist was a rare thing. Then GWB started the "War on Terror" and suddenly every rebel opposing an autocrat became a "terrorist" over night.

Before 9/11, patriotism meant love for the own country. Then 9/11 happened and suddenly patriotism meant doing what the Republicans want.

Before the 2016 campaign, "fake news" was a rare thing and refered to deliberate misinformation. Then Trump and Fox News and the Alt-Right picked up that term and suddenly every information that shines a bad light on autocrats became "fake news" over night.

Before the 2016 campaign, "traitor" was a rare thing. Then the Democrats opposed Trump and suddenly everybody opposing Trump was possibly a traitor.

3 replies

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Highlight:

It's weird how certain political words have changed their meanings... (Original Post) DetlefK Feb 2018 OP

Patriotism Ohiogal Feb 2018 #1

Republicans always beat us on messaging, they can state their doc03 Feb 2018 #2

Before 9/11, the word "terror" frogmarch Feb 2018 #3

Ohiogal

(32,068 posts)

1. Patriotism

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Tue Feb 6, 2018, 12:03 PM

Feb 2018

...."is doing what Republicans want."

Gold star for that one!

All others are very true.

doc03

(35,378 posts)

2. Republicans always beat us on messaging, they can state their

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Tue Feb 6, 2018, 12:09 PM

Feb 2018

positions in simple terms that simple people can understand. It seems our issues require some
critical thinking.

frogmarch

(12,159 posts)

3. Before 9/11, the word "terror"

Reply to DetlefK (Original post)

Tue Feb 6, 2018, 12:14 PM

Feb 2018

meant "extreme fear." Now it's used in place of the word "terrorism," which is the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. To me, "War on Terror" still sounds wrong in the context it's being used.

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