The divide between right and left is so vast that although we use the same words they mean diametrically opposed things. To the right Swift-boating was patriotic Americans coming forward and telling their story to stop a charlatan from gaining the highest office in the land. To the left it means telling lies to defame a Gaia anointed saint who would make the land cool and prevent the ocean from rising so we can all eat Skittles from the Skittle tree and drink Starbucks which will bubble forth from springs. (Cue rainbow and pass the joint.)
But you’d think when the left formed its message to the entire spectrum they’d recognize the language divide as the right certainly does and craft a message that would reach the entire public. Instead, they fall back on lefty insider shorthand. It’s rather as if a set of twins who have developed their own language use their exclusive words to address the body politic.
The left does not appear to have a George Will with his carefully crafted prose which builds a logical case. Instead they use dog whistles and insider words and phrases only other lefties hear. I suppose we should count ourselves lucky they don’t have a George Barnard Shaw. The era when socialists knew how to persuasively write to sway the body politic has, thankfully, passed.
Swiftboat on, dude!
You’ve hit the nail on the head. The phrase “swift boating” is a dog whistle calling the leftist minions to attention.