Well, it’s over. The election was certified, the lawsuits contesting the election were thrown out, some for pretty embarrassing reasons (the court documents make entertaining reading). Biden was sworn in on schedule, Trump did not call out the military, there were no arrests of major Democratic party pedophile insiders and/or Satan-worshipping child blood-drinkers. Nothing. Zip. Nada.
QAnon fizzled out, leaving its believers with nothing but disappointment and betrayal. So much so that some of those arrested in the Capitol takeover appear now to be ready to testify against their former hero, blaming him for egging them on. So it goes.
What’s in a name? Rather a lot, actually. Particularly, where politics are concerned.
When it comes to language, I’m pretty conservative. I think words are used because they mean some things and not others. I think words in public discourse ought to reflect their commonly understood meaning. When you name a piece of legislation, a government department, or a policy program, it ought to be called something that accurately reflects what it does.
Unfortunately, too often in politics names are about intentions, warm fuzzies, and things no one in their right mind would disagree with. By using names based on how they make people feel, instead of how accurate they are, they cloud the honest discourse essential to democracy.
One-hundred-fifty years ago, President Ulysses S. Grant made Christmas a national holiday. He wanted to unite the nation. Given the storm of controversy surrounding how to greet people this time of year, I’m guessing we still have a way to go.
Here’s the problem: America now has two very different holidays called “Christmas.” One celebrates the birth of a Savior, born of a virgin to redeem the world from sin. Its entire premise is religious.
The second holiday branched off from the first but is now completely secular. It retains the sentiments of “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men” (although the gendered reference rings hollow nowadays). It encourages the wearing of ugly sweaters, telling stories and singing songs about magical snowmen and flying reindeer, believing in Santa Claus, and the purchasing of merchandise by the truckload.
The Radical Center: Two cheers for Big Pharma s Pfizer gazette.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazette.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.