Posted on 09/06/2005 3:59:21 PM PDT by Crackingham
In the debate about how to describe those displaced by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush is joining those who don't like the word "refugees."
The president tells reporters, "The people we're talking about are not refugees, they are Americans."
And he adds, "They need the help and love and compassion of our fellow citizens."
Bush spoke during a meeting with leaders of charity and volunteer groups who are helping Katrina's victims.
His words appear to put him on the same side as the Reverend Jesse Jackson, who has declared it's "racist" to call U.S. citizens refugees.
Jackson and other black leaders say the word has a criminal connotation -- and prefer the more neutral term "evacuees."
The President didn't equate the word "refugees" with the word "racist". Jesse the Jerk did that.
A refugee is not one who is simply seeking refuge. It is a term with specific meaning, dictionary definition. As usual, some newsdope used the wrong word to descibe the victims of this storm, the others latched on to it. Thing is, there is nothing inherently insulting or racist whatsoever about the word ... it is simply a grammatical error. Why people are so hot and bothered over its use astounds me.
It is also incorrect to call the folks "evacuees" -- the only ones who are evacuees are those who were actually and in fact evacuated from the area. What is the problem with calling the group what they are: VICTIMS OF A NATURAL DISASTER?
"Who started calling them refugees anyway?"
The MSM did. I remarked at work on Tuesday that this was THE FIRST time I have ever heard that term used in a situation like this. It just sounded odd.
ROFLMBO!!!
"I heard a congressman say that some big checks are going to have to be written to the displaced..."
Back door reparations????
Call 'em "the Masses of Asses". I don't think they care too much....
Rush was talking about this the other day. Said they are " not refugees".
We must end welfare as we know it. Weve killed generations of initiative, education and citizenry.
Hmm, sounds like refugees to me....
They make it sound like refugee is a dirty word.
You mean the we're better than everyone else, nobody does anything right, complain, complain, complain, let's find someone to blame, look how heroic we are, hysterical media?
I happen to agree with the President AND Jackson on this. So, officially, I think Hell has frozen over and the trees are full of pigs.
Evacuees might be better than refugees. They aren't homeless though. They all left homes of one kind or another. Temporary tourists.
I think it was Shep
I have been making a conscious effort over the last few years to use that word when describing someone who has lived through a catastrophe, whether it was man-made, natural, or self-inflicted. Maybe my use of the word won't make any real difference, but it is how I am taking a stand against victimhood.
Personally I don't mind using the word evacuee if people are offended by the term refugee, but I balk at using yet another hyphenated "displaced-American" or "American-of-displacement".
I think 'homeless' fits the bill...
In the last week I've used both evacuee and refugee. These people aren't refugees. My mistake. Evacuee is the right word.
Not at the moment...But they will be...Their homes are going to be bulldozed...
Did we think they came from a country called Refugia??????
These people are NOT "refugees"!
I was appropriately called a "refugee" when I arrived in this country fleeing from a revolution that was founded on persecution and oppression based because you believed in freedom of expression!
How about displaced hurricane evacuees?
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