| BRISK |
07-11-2005 06:54 AM |
Calling them "suicide bombers" promotes the image that they're martyrs who are dying for a cause that they strongly believe in. This term leaves the door open for a certain level of respect. Whereas if you re-brand the term as "Homicide Bombers" it evokes an image of a person who is simply a crazy nutjob who only wants to kill people.
"Weapons of Mass Destruction" was re-branded to be "Weapons of Terror" probably to promote the image that Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda were one and the same. If you hate one, you should also hate the other.
American military "Snipers" have been re-branded as American "Sharpshooters", probably because the term sniper evokes a negative image, especially after the sniper murders that happened in Washington in 2002. Snipers are heartless murderers whereas American military sharpshooters are skilled craftsmen who use their skill for only for good.
It's important to remember the cumulative effect that these terms have when they're mentioned over and over again in the media. Altering the terminology helps to alter people's perceptions of what is right and wrong.
Apparently it's the Fair and Balanced thing to do, and the fact that certain media outlets are more than willing to go along with these new memes has nothing at all to do with promoting a specific political agenda. :disgust
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