He Who Decides the Meaning of the Word is the Master

CNSNews.com ^ | November 13, 2001 | Thomas L. Jipping

[Stand Watch Listen]

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."

He who determines the meaning of words is indeed the master. Bill Clinton fiddled with the meaning of words such as "sexual relations," "alone," and "is" and became the master. He was impeached but not removed from office. He was suspended from practicing law in Arkansas but not disbarred. He cut a deal with the independent counsel but was not prosecuted. And now he's making six-figures a speech, doing commercials with Bob Dole, and working on his political future.

Judges are truly our masters by fiddling with the meaning of words. The Supreme Court does it with the Constitution all the time. The Court secularized our culture by fiddling with the words "establishment of religion" in the First Amendment. The Court gave the federal government power over everything by fiddling with the word "commerce" in Article I. The Court launched the culture of death by fiddling with the word "liberty" in the Fourteenth Amendment.

Legislatures and courts fiddle with the word "discrimination" and suddenly we find that treating people differently based on race is required to avoid treating people differently based on race. Fiddling with the words "sexual harassment" has transformed the workplace.

I attended law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The faculty unanimously passed a policy banning racist, sexist, anti-lesbian, ageist, and other remarks based on prejudice and group stereotype. But, I thought, the First Amendment applies to state institutions and the First Amendment doesn't allow bans on speech based on its content. And here, it was my First Amendment professor who had drafted this censorship policy. Then I discovered the faculty had just fiddled with words a little; these remarks were not actually speech, they said, but harassment. And schools can certainly ban harassment to improve the educational environment. Isn't that neat, just come up with a different label, call it something else, and anything is possible. Call it speech, and the Constitution makes me the master. Call it harassment, and the school authorities become the master. As Humpty Dumpty said, the question is which will be master, that's all.

Now we see the same thing happening in this war on terrorism. Everything from Special Forces troops and carpet bombs in Afghanistan to wiretaps, warrantless searches, and detention without criminal charges right here in America are being used against this thing called terrorism. Congress just radically expanded the FBI's powers to fight this thing called terrorism. The consequences of fiddling with the word "speech" in law school seemed major at the time, but the consequences that flow from the word "terrorism" can literally mean life and death.

Do we know what this thing called "terrorism" is, this thing that all the police and military might of the United States is attacking? You might have thought so, but in steps Tom Ridge, the Director of the new Office of Homeland Security. The anti-terrorism czar. Not long ago, he said something truly frightening. Referring to Americans who "lash out" at people who dress differently or practice a different religion, he said "we have a word for that: terrorism."

That law school censorship policy was so scary because what it prohibited was so open to subjective impression. I was called racist because I opposed race-based policies. I was called sexist because I opposed killing babies in the womb. I was called homophobic because I thought children ought to be raised by a father and mother. And who knows what "ageist" is? Suddenly, harassment was in the eye or ear of the beholder, a serious problem because attaching the label "harassment" had negative consequences.

Now we see the same problem on a grand scale. What is "lashing out"? Mr. Ridge was talking not about physical attacks, which of course would otherwise be against the law, but about speech. My law school labeled "harassment" speech the authorities did not like. Mr. Ridge appears to be saying the government will label "terrorism" speech the authorities do not like. Do you see a very troubling pattern here?

When the feds like Mr. Ridge use a word, it means what they choose it to mean, neither more nor less. Yes, they can make words mean different things and the power do so makes them the master. With all the new powers the feds just received, it makes all the difference in the world what the word "terrorism" means. It's the difference between freedom and tyranny, between life and death. Words are serious business.
Free Congress Foundation

[enemy of the people]

This article points out a problem that we should all be aware of. It is a problem not necessarily confined to the government either. New definitions of words or newspeak occurs within the media, certain religious groups, and even in the so-called mental health profession as well.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

BRAVO! TANGO TANGO TANGO

Only to the PC is criminal profiling "racial profiling."

[cornelis]

The title might also be, S/he who plays with words is tempted with sorcery.

[Lysander]

In the Beginning God created man.
Conversely, dancing around the sod,
Man, some say, created god.

Be careful or your words may do,
Something of the same to you.

[Elihu Burritt]

The recent 2nd amendment ruling was more of the same. They redefined what was once clearly a right to carry more potent weapons than the military standard issue if you wanted to into a right to carry what they can later decide what they think you should have.

The day will come when they knock on your door to take what they want. For that matter, it is already here, it's now just a question of how many doors and when.

[cricket]

"Mr. Ridge appears to be saying the government will label "terrorism" speech the authorities do not like. Do you see a very troubling pattern here?"

Personally, am far more concerned about any Liberal manipulating the meaning of words -

. . .Clinton is just a manifestation of 'creating your own reality' via the words you use, but Liberals take this one step further by denying any moral origin or moral imperative by the words they choose. . .and Clinton and Hillary and all those who supported him by twisting TRUTH for him participated in the treason that undermined our Country for eight years.

We have only to look at how Liberals would 'prefer' our Constitution to be interpretated. . .or even their current fear of the word 'patriotism'. . .or their misuse/misunderstanding of a beautiful word like, 'courage'. . .to see the conflicts that Liberals create.

How about the meaning of 'win' for Algore; by counting non-votes? They will take it. . .shape it, make it part of their history. . .without regard for the truth required for an honest 'win'; or an honest winner.

So while I agree, that vigilance is critical; think the greatest problem lies in the philosophy of Humpty Dumpty and which political idiology it best represents. . .and just who are the real 'master wannabe's'.

[Arthur McGowan]

Since Tom Ridge, who is a baby-killer, is able to call himself a "Catholic," it should be no surprise that he is able to look at a turnip and call it a "terrorist." As Humpty-Dumpty said, are you going to let the words be master, or are you going to take charge yourself? Tom Ridge is one of those who decided long ago that HE is going to be the master.

[enemy of the people]

Humpty Dumpty- an individual who defines words any way that suits them for their advantage.

We need to point out to others when they are being Humpty Dumpty and not let them get away with it.

[cricket]

"Since Tom Ridge, who is a baby-killer, is able to call himself a "Catholic," it should be no surprise that he is able to look at a turnip and call it a "terrorist." "

. . ."look at a turnip and call it a "terrorist"?

. . . could you elaborate on that observation?

[sheltonmac]

Mark my words. Just as the RICO Act was passed to combat organized crime and then bastardized to attack pro-life organizations, we will see the same thing happen with anti-terrorism legislation. The feds will define terrorism so as to include the bombing of abortion clinics and then use the anti-terrorism laws now on the books to go after those associated with pro-life organizations.

[sheltonmac]

"New definitions of words or newspeak occurs within...certain religious groups..."

Many religious groups have done this to the point where nothing is wrong anymore. It's a good thing that at least God's Word remains unchanging.

(Good to see you back. Thought we lost you there for awhile!)

[2sheep]

Giant bump needed on this one.

None dare call it totalitarianism. They call it Homeland "Security."

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

[Sir Gawain]

pingaso :-D

[philman_36]

Oh yes, definitely "Through the Looking Glass" time!
Chapter 8 - `It's my own Invention'
After a while the noise seemed gradually to die away, till all was dead silence, and Alice lifted up her head in some alarm.

A nice online Lewis Carroll site.
Isn't this invention great?
Do you think this is where Gore got the line from?

[Texas Yellow Rose]

	Thanks for the bumb 2sheep!! Zadokite's post should be repeated...
Referring to Americans who "lash out" at people who dress differently or practice a different religion, he (Tom Ridge, director of Homeland Security) said, "we have a word for that: terrorism." You combine this type of statement with some so-called Christian groups on the web who are calling just about every religion that doesn't agree with them a "Cult", and spreading disinformation then you've got a situation.  See here's another one of those words:  "Cult". sheltonmac said:  "The feds will define terrorism so as to include the bombing of abortion clinics and then use the anti-terrorism laws now on the books to go after those associated with pro-life organizations." I don't know if they will "go after" those associated with pro-life organizations, but they will certainly be under closer scrutiny.
Visit: Freeper Tips and Helps for posting photos, links and other HTML goodies. You can also bookmark the thread at:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/562247/posts Please visit my Profile for a Christmas Greeting!

[It'salmosttolate]

This is why the Jewish people always type the word G_d this way.

It denotes reverence.

By saying or spelling it out you define it and are the superior to your "creation".

[2sheep]

>Referring to Americans who "lash out" at people who dress differently...

I see you are dressed differently today.  Wearing red instead of yellow.  Is this a new look for the upcoming holiday season?

BTW, here's a quote on point:

"We must speak the truth about terror.  Let us never tolerate outrageous conspiracy theories concerning the attacks of September the 11th; malicious lies that attempt to shift the blame away from the terrorists, themselves, away from the guilty."   ... George Bush at the U. N.  11/11/2001

Hmmmm...so much for being tolerant.

[lavaroise]

I always say that peace is the contrary of pacifier and unity is the contrary of unionisation. The left apatly interchanges the meaning of those words, like a code.

It calls for peace, but in fact is appeasing and pacifying, it calls for unity, but in fact is forcing people into unions.

However this is silly in the end, because you can always know what the left is advocating by looking at what they want. They always want policy, plans and prophetic messages, they alway look away from analytical research of past deeds and the need to repent. Progressism is Russian roulette. It is not about progress, it is about paganism, superstition, false prophecy and witch doctoring.

In other words, progressism is the contrary of progress.