Well, they ARE using the right word "refugee". "Evacuee" is also good. I have no idea why "refugee" is considered inappropriate.
From WWL yesterday:
8:00 A.M. - Landrieu [Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu]: - We need to stop calling them refugees, they are American citizens. I've made that mistake myself.
see
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1475946/posts?page=6207#6207
I think that some Americans associate it to third world countries only, definitely not when referring to Americans. They think who would have thought something like this would happen in America. Some but not the majority of Americans.
They think who would have thought that Americans would be refugees on their own soil in America. Some but not the majority of American.
We think who would have thought that terrorist would fly our own planes into buildings in America. Some but not the majority of Americans.
Hey its a new day in America. And Americans are spending time squabbling over words.
Whoda thunk it!!
Websters: Refugee
Main Entry: ref·u·gee
one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution
Refugee = LSM framing/connotations IMO. Evacuee would be better.