Republican Newspeak
Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, was indicted today on the charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in the CIA leak investigation. Karl Rove has not yet been indicted, but is still under investigation. That is the big story of the day, and no doubt it will be the main story in Washington for the immediate future. The White House is in turmoil, and the Republican Party just keeps getting worse news piled on top of bad news – DeLay’s been indicted, Frist is under investigation, the Harriet Miers embarrassment, Katrina, Iraq, and now this scandal.
This is being written about so extensively today that I don’t know what I can add at this time as far as heaping more criticism on Scooter Libby or the White House for their roles in the CIA leak scandal. However, there is something very interesting that is happening within the Republican Party today in the way they are handling the fallout from this scandal. The word “guilty” has been removed from the Republican dictionary this week in an Orwellian attempt to influence political thought through language. This is what he called Newspeak, and in 1984 it was a very frightening concept. But, in this case there’s no reason to be fearful because it’s more comical than anything. Just look at the way the Republicans are bending over backwards today to avoid using the word “guilty” or any series of words that even implies guilt.
Vice President Dick Cheney: “In our system of government, an accused person is presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made by a jury after an opportunity to answer the charges and a full airing of the facts. Mr. Libby is entitled to that opportunity."
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Out of respect for our system of justice, everyone needs to take a deep breath and not judge those involved until it has been proven they are anything other than innocent.”
Senator Orin Hatch: “The burden lies on Mr. Fitgerald to prove his case, not on Mr. Libby to prove his innocence.”
President Bush: “In our system each individual is presumed innocent and entitled to due process and a fair trial."
Are they serious? And these aren’t the only examples. They will all be speaking in this manner from now on from the president right on down to Hannity and Limbaugh. This is a Saturday Night Live skit waiting to happen. “…presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made”? “…until it has been proven they are anything other than innocent.”? You have to slow down while you’re reading it because it doesn’t sound natural. Is it really that hard to say a person is innocent until proven guilty? I could swear that’s the way I’ve heard it since 2nd grade, but I guess that is now Oldspeak. The Republican talking points this week obviously centered on modifying the language, and the phrase “until proven guilty” is no longer operable. It is truly fascinating to sit back and watch them operate. I'd say it's pathetic but for the fact that it actually works on some people, so I can't blame them too much for trying.
This is being written about so extensively today that I don’t know what I can add at this time as far as heaping more criticism on Scooter Libby or the White House for their roles in the CIA leak scandal. However, there is something very interesting that is happening within the Republican Party today in the way they are handling the fallout from this scandal. The word “guilty” has been removed from the Republican dictionary this week in an Orwellian attempt to influence political thought through language. This is what he called Newspeak, and in 1984 it was a very frightening concept. But, in this case there’s no reason to be fearful because it’s more comical than anything. Just look at the way the Republicans are bending over backwards today to avoid using the word “guilty” or any series of words that even implies guilt.
Vice President Dick Cheney: “In our system of government, an accused person is presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made by a jury after an opportunity to answer the charges and a full airing of the facts. Mr. Libby is entitled to that opportunity."
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison: “Out of respect for our system of justice, everyone needs to take a deep breath and not judge those involved until it has been proven they are anything other than innocent.”
Senator Orin Hatch: “The burden lies on Mr. Fitgerald to prove his case, not on Mr. Libby to prove his innocence.”
President Bush: “In our system each individual is presumed innocent and entitled to due process and a fair trial."
Are they serious? And these aren’t the only examples. They will all be speaking in this manner from now on from the president right on down to Hannity and Limbaugh. This is a Saturday Night Live skit waiting to happen. “…presumed innocent until a contrary finding is made”? “…until it has been proven they are anything other than innocent.”? You have to slow down while you’re reading it because it doesn’t sound natural. Is it really that hard to say a person is innocent until proven guilty? I could swear that’s the way I’ve heard it since 2nd grade, but I guess that is now Oldspeak. The Republican talking points this week obviously centered on modifying the language, and the phrase “until proven guilty” is no longer operable. It is truly fascinating to sit back and watch them operate. I'd say it's pathetic but for the fact that it actually works on some people, so I can't blame them too much for trying.
posted by The Animal | 7:03 PM
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