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Posted on 09/06/2001 11:46:15 AM PDT by vannrox

Meaningless Words - 1984 Doublethink

• A.C.L.U.
• N.O.W.
• Wired Magazine
• EFF
• Amnesty International
• and all the journalist who eagerly and fashionably assimilate their Newspeak into their publications.

They are right and you are wrong (especially for saying you are right). Sadly, it is not difficult to see examples of their hypocrisy. For example, the N.O.W. denouces hate, violence and stereotypes yet are sponsoring a mean-spirited "Fight the Right" campaign...

Some Thoughts

eu-phe-mism n. The act or an example of the substitution of an inoffensive 
  term for one considered offensive: ``Euphemisms such as'' slumber room'. 
  .. abound in the funeral business''  (Jessica Mitford).[Gk. euphe
  mismos  <euphemos,  using auspicious words: eu-,  good + pheme,  
  speech]-eu'phe-mist n.-eu'phe-mis'tic adj.-eu'phe-mis'ti-cal-ly adv.

                           The American Heritage Dictionary

What's in a name?  That which we call a rose
By any other word would smell as sweet.

                           Romeo and Juliet 2.2.43-44

There are two types of fools, one who says 'It is old, therefore good'.
The other says 'It is new, therefore better.'"

                           Purportedly Ancient Oriental Saying

Don't be so open minded your brains fall out.

                           Anonymous

The List

Domestic Partner

What happened to spouse? If I use this term, don't I implicitly condone "living together" and/or homosexuality. Does this term apply to one's favorite pet? Favorite housekeeper?

Family Values

A set of time-tested ideals. A target of cheap pot-shots.

Biological Parent

Such a lovely term. Term related to "Sperm Doner", "Father", etc.

Significant Other

Such a lovely term. Term of the same ilk as "Parental Unit".

Gay

An antonym/synonym for Happy?

Sexual Orientation / Preference

A polite way of denoting all sexual orientations, including sexual disorientation. "For soft drinks, I prefer Pepsi, for carpet color, teal and for sexual relations, humans."

Homophobia

Literally "fear of sameness", "fear of homosexuals" or "fear of homosexuality". Generally used to denegrate someone who disagrees with a homosexual. The coercive attempt to make people feel guilty for not accepting homosexuals on their own terms. The term has nothing to do with "fear".

Alternative Lifestyles

A social experiement upon being conducted upon society without their consent. We don't know the results of this experiement. It may take decades to see that blindly accepting Alternative Lifestyles was not a socially wise decision. Depending on point of view, the term also applies to the lifestyles of serial killers, "hippies", psycotics, child molesters, Neo-Nazis, Republicans, Democrats.

Pro-choice / Anti-choice

Couples have the choice to become pregnant. They have the right to chose their actions. They don't have the right to chose the consequences of their actions. (Yes, technically the child is carried by only one member of the couple. But in all other respects, both should consider themselves pregnant.) See also Reproductive Freedom/Planning, Planned Parenthood.

Product of Conception

That's me! How about you?

Abortionist

A term of derision used by those against abortion-on-demand.

Religionist

A term of derision used by the less religious. The -ist suffix has become a general purpose suffix of derision.

Rights

A social, moral and/or political framework by which one attempts to justify doing what they wish. Concern over individual rights has long since overtaken concern for individual responsibility.

Gay Rights

Not the Right to be Gay, but rather the demand that people accept the political and, more importantly, moral agenda of homosexuals to the exclusion of another's equally legitimate personal, moral and religious convictions.

Diversity

Anything different, therefore Good, including that which is Bad.

Different

"They aren't bad, they're just Different". "There is no Wrong, just Different".

Radical Right

Contrived term of derision for those that disagree with those on the "Right". Related term: Right Wing.

Freedom

Absolute freedom. Freedom from responsibility. Free to do whatever. The USA is a Free Country.

Agenda

Viewpoint. Used disparagingly to refer to a viewpoint with which you disagree. Example: "These laws were crafted by many different people, with many different agendas".

Human Resource

I don't like working for companies that have a Human Resource department. It's as if I'm just a corporate resource that is classified as Human. Personnel Department was a better term.

Consumer

A person who buys something. Evokes images of "consuming mass quantities" of beer, televisions, potato chips, cars, etc.

Sexual Revolution

Not a revolution. It's been happening cyclically for millenia. A recycled morality.

Native American

Most natives of the United States of America are not Native Americans... Ironically, some Native Americans advocate their ancient term The People as a term to exclusively denote themselves.

African American

Applied even to those who feel no paticular attachment to African. Many prefer the term Black.

Caucacian

Caucasian adj. 1. A native of inhabitant of the Caucasus (a mountain range in the Soviet Union). 2.A member of the Caucasoid ethnic division.
Most "American Indians" have heard of India and are quick to point out that that's not where they are from. Most Cacuasians have never heard of the Caucasus, fewer can find the region on a map. Don't call me white. I'm a Caucasian-American dagnabit.

Minority

Viewed from an appropriate context, everyone is a minority in some way. This insight can often be used to your advantage.

Racist

Disagreeing with someone of a different race.

Feminist

One who advocate or demands for women the same rights granted to men, often including the right to be like men in appearance. Feminists seldom advocate the traditional definition being feminine.

Misogynist

Literally "women hater". More commonly, one who disagrees with a feminist.

Her

In writing, an increasingly acceptable replacement for the sexist term "His". Used when a gender-neutral pronoun is called for. Two wrongs make a right.

Quality of Life

Term used when discussing and justifying the termination of life.

Discrimination

The ability or power to see or make fine distinctions; discernment.

Censorship

Being responsible in the materials you make available to others. Not letting me tell you what to publish. I'm not obliged to make available everything you think I should make available. (Definition - unjustified restriction on the flow information. How to define "justified" is the controversy.)

Free Speech

The right not only to say, but to do anything you wish. Related term: Freedom of the Press - applies to those who own the press. Related term: First Amendment Rights.

Open Mind

A mind so open all of its thoughts have fallen out. A mind open infection - an "open sore".

Tolerant Culture

"Hawaii's traditionally tolerant culture" should permit same-sex marriages. Go figure.

Parental Control

The view that parents should be the only protectors of children. As objectionable material is made more easily accessible to children, now the parents have the full responsibility to control what their children access. They are the children's last and only line of defense. All others, especially the media providers, have abdicated their responsibilities.

Sexual Harrassment

Annoying another person in a way that reminds them that sex exists.

Department of Defense

Formerly the Department of War. Still the same department, however.

Animal Rights

Not to be confused with human rights.

Democracy

The right to complain about the fact that they won't let you do whatever you feel like.

Christian Right

"Will you support them if you were gay? No. But if I were a fetus..." -- paraphrased from some TV show

Gaming

Euphemism for gambling used by gambling proponents. You see, it's not gambling, it's just a game. I feel better already.

Celebrate

This word used to mean something, but is now too trite to be meaningful. It's evolved into a "helper" euphemism as in "celebrate diversity".

Related References

• Newspeak and Doublethink Homepage
• Orwell 1984 (stale link)
• ORWELL'S REVENGE (stale link)
• TRADITIONAL PRIVACY JOINS THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION (stale link)
• 1984 The Future Is Now (stale link)
• Invasion Newspeak: U.S. & USSR (stale link)
• Orwell Book Reviews
• Privacy Debate: Is Orwell Online?

Will Altavista index this word: "DazFrobIt"?

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