Debate is heating up regarding the war in Iraq. It's an all out assault on the English language, the worst in years. Even basic words and ideas have been manipulated, their definitions tortured. WordFudge is here to investigate.
Most gruesome by far, the mutilation of the word VICTORY as it pertains to U.S. involvement in Iraq. First, we invaded to shut down the production of WMDs. "We have to fight them over there so we aren't fighting them here." Then our rationale changed. We had to insure that Iraq wouldn't become a haven for terrorists. Saddam Hussein somehow became involved with 9/11. "Sure ... our previous justification turned out to be wrong, but ... since we're already over there we may as well clean house." This evolved into our next rationale, the creation of a free and stable Iraqi government, democratic and free. "When they stand up, we'll stand down." And you know, of all the "victories" so far, this one seemed oddly logical, except for the bitter divide between Sunni, Shia, and Kurds. Free and stable meant a government representing ALL those factions together in cooperation. Also, ensuring each of these sects gain their deserved share of the revenue generated by the country's largest natural resource, oil. It seemed nobody predicted sectarian violence would erupt as these different groupings tried to hash out a deal on these matters.
And then the rationale morphed again. The sectarian upheaval required a surge in troop levels in order to contain the violence. Victory now meant flooding a small, impoverished nation with hundreds of thousands of troops, enough to cover most cities with a military presence. This, to certain politicians, is how we define WINNING. Only its still not enough for McCain. For the Iraqi people, their definition of victory is becoming clear, and it seems to involve time tables -er, horizons. Tensions in their shared culture are not just against one another; many see our countinued presence as an invasion of the Western powers they rage against.
Requests to leave fly in the faces of our generals on the ground, and threatens to tarnish the last word abused by assholes: HONOR. "We will leave with victory and honor." This feels more like a cry for help on behalf of Republicans. The poor dears, they've been dealing with a lot of backlash lately, in part because of the Iraq War. They do so want to be Right. But this situation offers nothing but wrong, no matter what we do.
These words, heavy with possible meaning, reduced to talking points. They dangle in front of us like hostages meant to energize the message of their captors. Using them to invoke good feelings about bad policy only cheapens their meaning.
Most gruesome by far, the mutilation of the word VICTORY as it pertains to U.S. involvement in Iraq. First, we invaded to shut down the production of WMDs. "We have to fight them over there so we aren't fighting them here." Then our rationale changed. We had to insure that Iraq wouldn't become a haven for terrorists. Saddam Hussein somehow became involved with 9/11. "Sure ... our previous justification turned out to be wrong, but ... since we're already over there we may as well clean house." This evolved into our next rationale, the creation of a free and stable Iraqi government, democratic and free. "When they stand up, we'll stand down." And you know, of all the "victories" so far, this one seemed oddly logical, except for the bitter divide between Sunni, Shia, and Kurds. Free and stable meant a government representing ALL those factions together in cooperation. Also, ensuring each of these sects gain their deserved share of the revenue generated by the country's largest natural resource, oil. It seemed nobody predicted sectarian violence would erupt as these different groupings tried to hash out a deal on these matters.
And then the rationale morphed again. The sectarian upheaval required a surge in troop levels in order to contain the violence. Victory now meant flooding a small, impoverished nation with hundreds of thousands of troops, enough to cover most cities with a military presence. This, to certain politicians, is how we define WINNING. Only its still not enough for McCain. For the Iraqi people, their definition of victory is becoming clear, and it seems to involve time tables -er, horizons. Tensions in their shared culture are not just against one another; many see our countinued presence as an invasion of the Western powers they rage against.
Requests to leave fly in the faces of our generals on the ground, and threatens to tarnish the last word abused by assholes: HONOR. "We will leave with victory and honor." This feels more like a cry for help on behalf of Republicans. The poor dears, they've been dealing with a lot of backlash lately, in part because of the Iraq War. They do so want to be Right. But this situation offers nothing but wrong, no matter what we do.
These words, heavy with possible meaning, reduced to talking points. They dangle in front of us like hostages meant to energize the message of their captors. Using them to invoke good feelings about bad policy only cheapens their meaning.
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