Clutter is the language of the Pentagon calling an invasion a “reinforced protective reaction strike” and justifying its vast budgets on the need for “counterforce deterrence.” As George Orwell pointed out in “Politics and the English Language,” an essay written in 1946 but often cited during the wars in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Iraq, “political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible… Thus political language has to consist largely of euphemisms, question-begging and sheer cloudy vagueness.” Orwell’s warning that clutter is not just a nuisance but a deadly tool has come true in the recent decades of American military adventurism. It was during George W. Bush’s Presidency that “civilian casualties” in Iraq became “collateral damage.”
No, it’s not Markos Moulitsas Zúniga at Daily Kos. It’s William Zinsser in the 30th Anniversary Edition of On writing well. And it’s just page 16. Boy, I am going to enjoy this book.
August 18, 2006
The “collateral damage” euphamism dates back at least as far as the first gulf war and the first President Bush.
I don’t have the most scholaraly source , just a recollection of a song of the time (published in 1992).
T.V. is the place where phrases are redefined
like “recession” to “necessary downturn”
“crude oil” on a beach to “mousse”
“Civilian death” to “collateral damages”
and being killed by your own Army
is now called “friendly fire”
http://www.jencomics.com/artist_d/disposable_heroes_of_hiphoprisy_lyrics/television_the_drug_of_the_nation_lyrics.html
Some things never change.
December 19, 2006
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