Politics Information

Lets Call A Spade A Spade


Much of our personal and cultural perspective on the world is colored by the language in which our concepts and ideas are couched. Changing that language can therefore alter our attitudes about what we hear and see.

"Responsibility," for example, is a word with positive reverberations. It reeks of reliability, accountability, and self-control. It carries connotations of honesty, dependability, and courage.

So why have the media adopted the buzz phrase "claims responsibility" for the violent outrages committed by terrorists who cover their faces in cowardly anonymity, hide themselves behind innocent civilian populations, plot behind closed doors, and, in general, act totally irresponsibly?

If the media changes their terminology to "admits guilt" the concept itself changes dramatically. "Guilt" is a suitably pejorative notion to apply to murder. An admission of guilt clearly conveys the message that the perpetrators know wrong from right and have willingly made their hideous choice.

Regardless of the politics, culture, or religion involved in any dispute, no matter how complicated or divisive, there is the rational approach to resolution and there is the emotionally selfish, vicious, and vindictive response.

Terrorist groups of all persuasions have defined themselves as criminal by their heinous indifference to that most fragile quality: human life. Let's expose them for what they are and call a spade a spade.

Virginia Bola is a licensed clinical psychologist with deep interests in Social Psychology and politics. She has performed therapeutic services for more than 20 years and has studied the effects of cultural forces and employment on the individual. The author of an interactive workbook, The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a monthly ezine, The Worker's Edge, she can be reached at http://drvirginiabola.blogspot.com

  


MORE RESOURCES:

Bleacher Report

Mixing politics and football, and other pressing issues
Los Angeles Times, CA - Nov 22, 2008
You seem a bit lost when you have to mix politics with sports. Better luck next time. Answer: I'm hoping to Hattiesburg that ordering a Justice Department ...
A Barack Obama Strategy to Change College Football Bleacher Report
Even Obama can't master politics of BCS Scripps News
all 125 news articles


ABC News

Ted Stevens: Farewell and 'To Hell With Politics'
Washington Post, United States - Nov 20, 2008
"My motto has always been 'to hell with politics, just do what's right for Alaska.' And I've tried every day to live up to those words. ...
Video: Ted Stevens Defeated CBS
The Politics of Entitlement Wall Street Journal
Preston on Politics: A senator’s bitter birthday present CNN Political Ticker
KTUU - NPR
all 3,143 news articles


Politicians prefer priceless politics
DetNews.com, MI - 7 hours ago
It is the world of political rhetoric. No wonder so many people are attracted to that world. It would be a great place to live. After Arthur Goldberg had ...


Politics as usual
Allentown Morning Call, PA - 1 hour ago
Last week, the county GOP Committee censured County Commissioner Jim Matthews for acts of political treason by siding with Democrat Commissioner Joe Hoeffel ...


Politics: Crisis Calls For Real Engagement
Hartford Courant, United States - 12 hours ago
Compared with 1991, the politics are mixed. Then, Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. was an independent alienated from his former Republican Party and open to new ...


Challenge readers know their politics
Durham Herald Sun, NC - 8 hours ago
Challenge readers know about back-room politics, including Susan Peacock in Chapel Hill who knew the answer to the following Challenge: "What decision did ...


Dolores Carr: Decision by district attorney's office wasn't ...
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 11 hours ago
When a case involves politics, controversy is likely to be intense. My first, and I hope last, experience with this dynamic is the case of Tony Arreola and ...


Letter: Divisive politics makes an ugly return
Enterprise-Record, CA - 5 hours ago
For the past two years, I have been proud that the historically divisive politics in Chico have been marked by a new, more inclusive and respectful dialogue ...


Councilors should respect diversity, avoid politics when choosing ...
Duluth News Tribune, MN - 7 hours ago
The eight sitting city councilors should respect voters’ wishes when considering candidates who clearly have political ambitions. Among the News Tribune’s ...


Washington Times

Inside Politics Weekend
Washington Times, DC - 20 hours ago
And in keeping with the season, some observers are calling for civility in politics as the year lags and the great, glittering, inevitable Inauguration That ...

politics - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.