NUCLEAR Option out--CONSTITUTIONAL Option IN!

[FrenchieCat]

Language is very important to the Repugs, and they don't hide that fact. In fact, part of their success is using the right language at the right time. When a label isn't working, they, in lockstep, change what needs changing.

As I walked into my Bedroom, Frist was on C-Span talking about the fact that the "Constitutional" Option is still on the table, and that he will not hesitate in using it. NUCLEAR has gone "poof", and with it, the negative connotation that it invoked (Plus Bush couldn't pronounce it anyways). So they figured that one out.

Next time round, it may be harder to discredit the now renamed CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION...which sounds so much more legit and patriotic.

Of course, the CORPORATE Media (stop calling them the MSM or Mainstream media) will go along with this new language...as they always do.

I want us Democrats to take this language issue as
seriously as these Rethugs have and think about the labels we have and/or must CONSISTENTLY assign and repeat adnauseum.

FUNDIES = Cutesy name/doesn't connotate the evil that it is. Please find another name for it.

CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION = Keep calling it NUCLEAR OPTION; don't stop...and if you read anyone in the media name it CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION, let them know that you are HIP to their game and cooperation with the Repugs.

UBL = Osama Bin Laden (Fox News no longer calls Osama...Osama. He has been renamed UBL for reasons that should be clear).

The War on Terror = The Iraq War. The Rethugs want to merge the two, and in essence have suceeded. We cannot make the same mistake.

There are many, many other examples out there. We must be selective and mindful when employing language to assist our cause....and then, we must be consistent and persistent once the language has been decided.

If they can use language to help them in getting what they want....then so should we.

[nickgutierrez]

1. Yes - the power of words is immensely underrated

Fundies = religious nuts.

Keep calling it the "nuclear" option, or, even better, "nukular" option. It attaches the idea directly to *, and mocks the boy king at the same time.

Iraq = mistake. War of choice. War to provoke terror (not sure this one can stick).

And by the way... what happened to Osama, anyway?

Language is a powerful tool.

[Demit]

2. I've seen a number of stories giving the background to the word change

--and properly sourcing the original to Trent Lott. "Nuclear" has not gone entirely poof.

BTW, I like "Corporate Media" and I like the acronym MSM, and see no reason not to use both words, depending on the context.

[FrenchieCat]

4. But you see my point?

Consistency is everything.

The MSM use MSM to describe themselves. Why? Cause there is nothing wrong with the term. It does not connotate anything negative. In fact Mainstream is a good thing, along with Moderate, and Centrist.

Corporate Media, however, reminds folks of who really runs our Press here in these U.S. "Corporate" when it comes to describing one of our constitutional rights is NOT a good thing.

So you can continue to use the term MSM....but understand that each time you use it, a potent weapon that we have in fighting those who control the media to dispense propaganda is not being used.

[Demit]

9. I see your point. I don't agree with it. This is why:

The term "mainstream media" has been in use since at least 1990, and possibly before, but that's where I left off after some pretty extensive googling. It gradually began to replace such terms as mass media, general media, major media, Big Media, Old Media. I'll be happy to post what I found, if you're interested.

My first understanding of its usage was as a way to distinguish it from newer, less widely-circulated and recognized media, specifically blogs and online zines. That is to say, what "establishment" versus "alternative" or "underground" publications were, in the 60's.

I think it's fair to say that MSM adopted the phrase only after they started paying serious attention to the blogosphere. I remember at DU, as late as last summer, we were spelling out the phrase, and only eventually shortened it once everyone seemed to be familiar with it.

I think the term "Corporate Media" has its uses, but it is limiting. There are many good writers writing for the MSM, and we don't really mean to disparage them, do we? Tar them with the corporate brush? Paul Krugman and Frank Rich work for MSM. But they aren't the ones running things; you can't say they are "corporate media".

So I do see "Corporate Media" as having an incisive meaning--as being a weapon, if you like--but I don't think it can ever be an exact replacement for MSM.

[fob]

3. If it's a "constitutional option" then it must be in the Constitution,

right? If so then STFU Frist and just use it, if not (and Byrd already had you admit on the Senate Floor that it is NOT) then I guess it's not a "constitutional" option is it.

[FrenchieCat]

5. But as you know repetition breeds familiarity....

and once a term has "caught on"...it's very hard to let go.

Nuclear did catch on....but the Rethugs will be working very, very had to rehabilitate both the media and their Freeper Troups. It's like a battle in this War of Words.

[fob]

6. Yes. Perhaps I should have ended my tirade above with, since it's

not in the Constitution then Trent Lott was correct to call it the Nuclear Option.

[Jane Austin]

7. I was dismayed to hear Norah O'Donnell (MSNBC Washington Bureau

Chief) call it the "Constitutional Option" twice on Hardball the other night.

I always found her relatively independent as the White House correspondent, but just a week after she was made Bureau Chief, she's using Frank Luntz's phrasebook.

To his credit, Tweety continued to call it the "nuclear option" in his conversation with her.

[FrenchieCat]

14. Don't be dismayed.....it's part of the game that has been going on

long before we got "hip" to it.

If one needed any proof that the Corporate media is implicitly involved in the manipulative propaganda of America, all one needs to do is listen closely.

This Nuclear turned to Constitutional option word usage conversion is an excellent example to point out to those we know, but who have no clue. We should all mention this perfect illustration to those who want to call this media "liberal". Once it is discussed....these uninformed folks will have the info in the back of the their mind...and it will help them see the obvious...whether they are active about it or not.

We must use every weapon in our arsenal! The more people doubt the voracity of the Corporate Media, the more they will start to question the facts metered to us. This questioning and building of doubt in the minds of Joe and Sue Couch Potato HAS to happen prior to the next election. Otherwise, we will continue to suffer at the hands of the Corporatists.

Just look at it as one of those Mission Impossible assignment. If we all do it, it can be so.

Corporate Media Rules!

Let's change that, one person at a time.

[FubarFly]

8. I think we should all call it the UNCONSTITUTIONAL option.

And the same goes for some of their of their other double speak buzz words. Reverse them as soon as we hear them, BEFORE they get media traction. It doesn't take much thought or effort, and the contridiction highlights the deception nicely.

I agree with your other examples although I think The Iraq Invasion is more accurate than The Iraq War.

[FrenchieCat]

10. You are certainly correct about the Iraq Invasion.....

Thank you for your correction. I will be using that usage from this point on.

Consistency, Consistency, Consistency is what will make us stronger.

In fact, there is a thread up calling the Religious Extremist--Religiously Insane. I posted a Kudos to that poster. We all need to do what we can in the War of Words. We certainly don't need to help the asshole wage a battle that we could just as easily win.

[xxqqqzme]

12. using their words

gives them their word. It is Nuclear - the rethugs (Lott named it so) named it, they own it; they get 2 keep it.

Has whorporate media started using frist's name yet?

[xxqqqzme]

11. The Iraq W**

is an INVASION and Occupation. I refuse 2 call it a w*r.

I have heard it referred to as Iraq war of choice on FSTV which is also good.

[Vinca]

13. I kind of like Sen. Byrd's name for it: the turnip option.

As in, you have to be so dumb you just fell off a turnip truck if you can't figure out what they're really after . . . POWER.