Posted on 08/28/2002 2:54:37 PM PDT by Libertina
A simple word like violence.
“Violence is any word or action that hurts another person.”
Truly? Does this really mean that because I feel hurt by the sentiments expressed in this extremely silly slogan, “violence” has been done to me? After all, I am truly hurt.
As a substitute teacher in several local school districts I have seen anti-violence signs posted in school halls and offices. Although I might charitably say they reflect an educator’s concern for children - rather than a covert attempt to break down their belief system - this twisting of common sense and redefining of simple words is frightening.
“Violence is any word or action that hurts another person.” The illogic and distortion in this statement exemplifies the way in which our children, your childrenn, are being trained to associate any disagreement, even verbal, as “violent.” Using this wrong definition of “violence,” anything our kids say may put them at risk of reprimand. All they must do to commit “violence” is say something considered hurtful by another person. Who would believe such a ridiculous notion? Yet little by little, our children are indoctrinated into this intelligence-defying belief system.
Gun owners and citizens who support the right to bear arms, take note that this “new-and-improved” definition of violence makes no distinction between an act of protecting families or illegal criminal behavior! All hurting is “violence” and “violence” is only a word away.
The twisting of words is used during school to tear down our family-instilled, traditional values. We read news stories of children in other states being suspended for drawing a gun or saying “bang bang.” Library books are removed because they include paintings of patriots bearing arms. A pointed finger is a dangerous weapon.
Here in Washington, an elementary school principal addresses her students for several mornings over the intercom intimating that certain kinds of play may be harmful or violent. Tag is forbidden here. Kids wouldn’t so much as dream of playing cowboys and Indians. Although they may not mean to, she warns further, the words students say and the way in which they play could be “misunderstood” as well. Some students tell me recess isn’t fun anymore. A student is sent to the office because he physically defends himself after being hit by another boy. Although these non-academic policies may seem inconsequential to some parents, think of the values they diminish and how our children’s beliefs are purposefully molded further and further from our own.
Our rights are sacred, including the right to protect our families and our selves. Rosie you-know-who hires armed gunmen…er…bodyguards, to shadow her own dear children, while loudly decrying any private gun ownership that protects our loved ones. Gun “safety” extremists insist that our government be responsible for our safety, when facts show we must protect ourselves.
Back at school, under the glare of publicly posted anti-violence signs, students in some of our local schools swear, throw chairs, and walk out of classrooms with no more consequence than writing a begrudging apology, filing papers in the principal’s office, or chatting with fellow trouble-makers under the watchful eye of the school secretary.
Clearly, the true reason for the anti-violence signs, playground policies, politically correct books, and special “sensitivity training” curricula, is to condition our kids to believe any conflict is bad. A passive, non-judgmental, quiet citizenry is being promoted. This is especially troubling in light of the attack of September 11, 2001. Under the guise of tolerance, there are intolerant consequences for those who support carrying guns, fighting back, or standing up for one’s self. Our boys are in double jeopardy with this “Policy of Passive.”
We know our rights have been targeted for years, and taking away our guns has been the goal. Even the mention of the 2nd Amendment brings accusations of “gun nut.” But now, by twisting and redefining our language; extremists are trying to link the very words “ 2nd Amendment” with “violence.” 2nd Amendment rights are not “violence!”
We must be responsible, Self-responsible. And we must raise a ruckus. Not only must we speak up loudly for our 2nd Amendment RIGHTS, we must educate our children to understand clearly their importance in our country’s proud history. We must pass on to our children the true story of the amazing courage and greatness of our founding fathers and our Constitution.
But we can’t stop here. Please take a walk through your children’s schools. See what is written, what is posted on the walls and presented in their classrooms. There are fine, dedicated educators in our schools who deserve our support, but also misguided individuals who desire to abolish American values and liberties by slyly influencing our children in the classroom. Choose to call administrators and educators on the carpet for ridiculous or extreme philosophies rather than remaining silent. Decline to have your children participate in “special” school activities with which you disagree. Not rabidly, but righteously, demand common sense policies for student play and expression, but real consequences for true student violence. Make undeniably clear that our 2nd Amendment rights will not be part of the “violence” end game of those whose agenda is to surrender our liberties and tear down cultural America
Finally, refuse to allow the twisting and redefining of “simple” words like “violence” before the true meanings are lost forever.
.
"In the end the whole notion of goodness and badness will be covered by only six words - in reality, only one word. Don't you see the beauty of that, Winston?"
...as though Orwell's words were a feasible treatise on how to run a well-ordered society.
It is even as though Orwell's words create some sort of hypnotic trance that leads the sheeple to accept the 'slaughter house' of socialism as an unavoidable necessity of 'a well-ordered society'. Mass psychosis.
The word violence can indeed be properly used in a metaphorical sense rather than a literal one, in the right context. For example:
The indoctrination of children in government schools is no myth and no joke. It is quite insidious and the distortions of logic and the twisting of meanings outside of rational contexts does great violence to the ethical, moral and spiritual development of young minds.
See definition 2 below.
Main Entry: vi·o·lence
Pronunciation: 'vI-l&n(t)s, 'vI-&-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse
(as in effecting illegal entry into a house)
b : an instance of violent treatment or procedure
2 : injury by or as if by distortion, infringement, or profanation : OUTRAGE
3 a : intense, turbulent, or furious and often destructive action or force
b : vehement feeling or expression : FERVOR;
also : an instance of such action or feeling
c : a clashing or jarring quality : DISCORDANCE
4 : undue alteration (as of wording or sense in editing a text)
I especially like definition 4 given the context of this thread. ; )
BUMP for Tiger's awesome quote, and Libertina's awesome article! Free Republic is so incredibly cool, and you guys are two reasons why.
(My dear Tiger, I am very proud of you!)
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