What do Freedom and Linguistics have in common? George Lakoff on the radio program "On Point" discusses this topic. Here's the ad:
"Berkeley linguistics don George Lakoff came roaring out of academia and into political celebrity after the presidential election of 2004. Republicans, said Lakoff, were trouncing Democrats at the polls by using language to frame every debate their way. The proudly partisan professor said it was time for liberal progressives to fight back or fade away. Now, Lakoff is making an even bigger claim: that American conservatives are rapidly redefining the idea of freedom itself -- away, he claims, from its traditional American meaning and into something smaller and meaner, something dangerous. Hear a conversation with George Lakoff on language, the American mind, and the future of freedom."
His essential question is how do we define "freedom" --and how do politicians use or create definitions for us to get us to vote for them. An interesting listen!
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now, i KNOW i'm reading way too many WWII jewish survivor memoirs right now (i currently have 5 checked out of the library), BUT doesn't this sound scarily like how the Nazi's came to power? if you change the rules - the definitions - and back it with military force, who is safe?
Dena, you really need to read SOMETHING else.... LOL. And I recommend today's Calvin and Hobbes cartoon at gocomics.com. it applies to this like Waterson wrote it for today.
Deno:
Hitler came to power through lies, deceit and abuse of power. He did it by aboloshing the government with no regard to laws and order. I hope you don't think our current administration is doing the same thing. If so, you are reading too much liberal press. I believe that is what the NY Times/Washington Post et. al. want you to believe so they can regain power in 2008. While I am not a big George W. Bush supporter, finding him one of the most devisive Presidents ever, I am not willing to say he is akin to Hitler. He clearly operates within the law and has the support of Congress (both houses being controlled by the Republicans) and the Supreme Court. Thought probably a poor President, he is NOT evil or corrupt.
That is just my opinion, worth every cent you paid for it. Now, go read the comics.
Love ya, Dad
PS. You are beautiful. Did I ever tell you that? Well, you are.
Love, Dad
daddio,
i agree w/ that last post. not that i have _any_ investment in dena being beautiful. at all. none. ;)
and, i think i agree w/ the essence of your first post: bush isn't evil; he isn't Hitler. to compare the two is too reductive of the differences b/t the two situations. Bush roughly operates within the laws laid down by congress and the supreme court. he has the support of Congress and 32% of the US population.
but this is also an administration that wants to use its authority to expand "community freedom" (i.e. safety from terrorism) at the expense of "personal freedom" (i.e. gay marriage).
and the sinister part -- which is not limited to the rebublican party; the democrats are as guilty as the republicans --is that the discussion of personal freedoms is what clogs the presses (liberal and conservative), distracts (or the buzz word "galvanizes") the base from bigger issues (i.e. war, national debt, poverty, health care) and absorbs the time of the very lawmakers we've entrusted to guard our interests (and after the latest congressional scandals, can we believe that they're doing what we've asked?).
yes, the press is in part to blame for their willingness to sensationalize. but we must also ask in whose interest is it for us to be so upset about who will marry whom that we forget that we're fighting a real war (with death and all that). knowing whose interests are served will point us to the real "evil" that is controlling the government and its use of language through the press.
thanks for the discussion dad. i love hearing your opinion. i love you.
oops... posted that last comment twice. i must be passionate about it. ;)
Jam:
Nice to discuss issues with you and I'd be glad to do this at any time.
As far as the "you're beautiful" comments towards Dena, they go for you as well. You are one beautiful woman and Ziad is a lucky guy to be married to you. Of course, I feel that you are lucky to be married to a wonderful man like Z, too. Oh well, what goes around, comes around.
Take care, honey. Love you. Dad
awww ... thank you, dad. i love you.
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