me: >> Calling it "newspeak" misses the point. All good propaganda has an element of (partial) truth. Simply avoiding the word "insurgency" simply avoids substantive analysis. (BTW, the Bushies use much worse terms; "insurgency," as I've said, is pretty harmless.)
>> _of course_ language involves politics. But I wouldn't say that it _is_ politics.<< Ian: > I didn't say avoid the term, I'm saying we should contest it, replete with a counterdescription/explanation of what is going on that points out that it's just another one of their lies. ...< especially since the term "insurgency" is so harmless (relatively speaking), the main emphasis should be on the latter: e.g., "in the same situation, wouldn't you be an insurgent, too?" > Your last sentence is a political statement. :-) of course! JD -- Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://myweb.lmu.edu/jdevine
