It's How You Say It

Edited

My "good friend" blogged a piece from CNN.

Knight of Pan: UN Passes Anti Free Speech Resolution.

The "news" behind the piece is troubling. Supposedly the UN was "voting" to make it illegal to say nasty things about Islam. Which is a really stupid thing to do. There are still countries where Islam is not just the religion but also the government. It's bad news to make religion beyond criticism thus encouraging a "theocratic state" just to make politicians beyond reproach as well. And if comedians can't "poke fun" at religion, a good quarter of the better routines are instantly lost. Bad deal.

That said, I don't like the news piece. My viewing of it left me feeling as though CNN had a "definite bias" against the use of "politically correct" language.

"Political Correctness" has gotten a really bad "reputation". The mere mention of it will make the majority of Americans roll their eyes. They've been fed some bullshit line about "Politically Correct" speech being a "fancy pants" way of stating the obvious using far too many "words". Instead of the old "mail man" we have the "mail carrier" or "mail person". Instead of blacks we have "People of Color". So instead of "black mailing" people we now have to "people of color person" them.

Words carry a lot of "weight". It is entirely possible to say "Jew" with just as much venom as one says "Kike", but to show that added level of restraint says a lot about a "person". There are those who say "New York Banker" and mean the exact same thing. Their "antisemitism" is too clever by half.

Nigger or "black"?

Disabled or a "gimp"?

The words you use do matter. After several years of hearing 'Enemy Combatant' and all the weight that phrase carries, the current administration is wise to drop the term in favor of 'Detainee'. It's still political and even more correct.

Besides, when you've got a bunch of "media jackals" ready to pounce on any gaff you make, you better choose your language wisely. The other option is to just not give a "father raping fuck" and say whatever the hell you want potentially offending millions. I like that method, but it doesn't work well for a "President".