This is the time of year for lighthearted fluff for most news agencies and it is usually a welcome respite from hard news as we all get ready to celebrate the arrival of "Baby New Year." The year-end list is a staple of that happy, fluff and we get them up the wazoo, for sure. The list of "overused words" is one of those that we see every year, as well, and Reuters gives us a list by which they hope we wring out a few overused words and phrases as we ring in 2008. But, I am a bit dismayed over the choice of two of the words and phrases they want us to forget. The first is "post 9/11"and the other one is "surge." The choice of words and phrases in the case of these particular two seems to be made not only with a left leaning bias, but with a bias that leads to the sort of dangerous ignorance that caused 9/11 and the surge in the first place. The ignorance of head-in-the-sand, looking the other way that allowed Islamofascism so so easily sneak up on all of us is rampant with the inclusion of these two in this list.
Reuters writer Andrew Stern gives us this first paragraph:
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A "surge" of overused words and phrases formed a "perfect storm" of "post-9/11" cliches in 2007, according to a U.S. university's annual list of words and phrases that deserve to be banned.
While most of the words and phrases that the public relations department at Michigan's Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie chose for their list is innocuous fun, including "surge" and "post 9/11" seems to me a dangerous inclusion.
Such phrases as "post 9/11" and "surge" have also outlived their usefulness, they said. Surge emerged in reference to adding U.S. troops in Iraq but has come to explain the expansion of anything.
"Post 9/11" has "out lived its usefulness"? How so? Has the danger of radical Islam passed us by? HARDLY! To make people forget 9/11 is a travesty and will open us right up to the sort of complacency that we wallowed blissfully in on September 10th, 2001 -- a blissful ignorance that was shattered so horribly. Does Reuters and Lake Superior State University want us to return to 9/10 thinking? When one sees that they also want us to forget about Bush's "surge" policies in Iraq, as well, it would seem that forgetting is exactly what they want. It's all just so passé, huh?
There was also one other somewhat disturbing bit in their year-end list of over used words and phrases.
Other contributors took umbrage at the phrase to "give back" as applied to charitable gestures, usually by celebrities.
"The notion has arisen that as one's life progresses, one accumulates a sort of deficit balance with society which must be neutralized by charitable works or financial outlays," one said.
Now they are against charity, too?
I am sorry, but there isn't a damn thing wrong with the very rich imagining that they should "give back" to the community that helped them become so wealthy! Not a thing at all. Why so cynical?
In any case, this is a bad way to start 2008. The makers of this list chose badly, but they chose with their bias in the lead. Still, it’s sad to say that it isn't surprising that a University made the list and a member of the MSM is promoting it.
So, let me end with a list of "overused" words and phrases of my own, ones I'd love to see eliminated:
- Reporters -- here is a creature that died years ago. It is an outdated term that no longer applies
- Journalism -- see above
- Education -- here is something that has also ceased to apply to society, as well
And now for the biggest canard that should be eliminated for 2008 and all the years to come after:
- Government is here to help
Groan! What a myth.
Happy New Year, Newsbusters!
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Centrist or moderate should
December 31, 2007 - 11:59 ET by taterCentrist or moderate should be eliminated too. Liberals think they are and say it all the time.
Do you realize how much it costs to run for office? More than any honest man could afford. -Montgomery Burns
Well
December 31, 2007 - 17:35 ET by well99Have to disagree with you on getting rid of the word centralist.Not everyone is a liberal or conservative.I go by the issues.I do agree that liberals such as Hillary try to paint themselves as centralist.So does Mickey Mouse or whatever that Kos Kid's name is.They arent I am.
"Global Warming"
December 31, 2007 - 12:00 ET by RJNo list of overused phrases would be complete without it.
Head in the sand
December 31, 2007 - 12:09 ET by ChrisMillsGood idea Reuters! You know, if you stick your head in the sand like an ostrich, then all bad things go away and we never have to worry about them again.
The way I see it President Bush has done such a good job protecting us from terrorist strikes that the pea-brained MSM has forgotten that 1000's of Americans died on 9-11. They'll remember pretty quickly if a dem steals the presidency, breaks down the institutions that protect us, and lets a couple strikes slip through the cracks (though somehow I think they'll find a way to blame President Bush)
anything negative from now
December 31, 2007 - 14:33 ET by red_dragon311anything negative from now on will be blamed on Bush
"Get off the phone you big dope!!!!!!!!!!" Mark Levin
Most overused word of 2007
December 31, 2007 - 12:10 ET by clintm19How about recession?
That is wishful thinking
December 31, 2007 - 13:46 ET by kgThat is wishful thinking just as the US going into a recession is wishful reporting.
How about "I will do it smarter and better" and "I have a secret plan that I will use to help America, but only if I am elected."
ReportING, not ReportERS
December 31, 2007 - 12:20 ET by JoelCTMr. Huston,
I don't think we should get rid of the word "reporters"; we should eliminate the phrase "investigative reporting". No one digs deep any more (except into Bush's military record), they just repeat what they see on Drudge or the NYT or the AP or Reuters.
Imagine if a "reporter" actually did some serious digging on the fake "donation" from Chinatown into the Hillary campaign. Oh, the things he would find! Imagine the dirt that could be found, and broadcast for the world to see, if they really investigated the White House Travel Office firings or the Filegate mess.
If Woodward and Bernstein investigated the Clinton White House the way they investigated Watergate, the Clintons would be in exile right now in France. But those two guys, and all the others, sold their souls to Liberalism long ago, and have lost their ability to do their jobs, which is supposed to be investigative reporting. How sad for all of us.
"I am sorry, but there isn't
December 31, 2007 - 12:21 ET by Killgrave"I am sorry, but there isn't a damn thing wrong with the very rich imagining that they should "give back" to the community that helped them become so wealthy! Not a thing at all. Why so cynical?"
I have to quibble here. "Give back", to me, suggests that wealth belongs to "the people", and not to the ones who earned it.
It really strikes me as socialistic. There is no "giving back". There is simply "giving".
Good point and point taken.
December 31, 2007 - 12:22 ET by Warner Todd HustonGood point and point taken.
I disagree
December 31, 2007 - 13:57 ET by ChaitealoverI think the term "give back" is most frequently used by show-biz types who realize that their wealth was given to them by people who paid to see them perform. While some of these performers worked hard to get where they are professionally, a great many of them just happen to have a pretty face or pushy mother, so feel they did nothing to earn the money that was given to them for virtually no talent at all. Thus, the belief that they need to 'give back' to those that gave to them.
Chai
“There are no hopeless situations; There are only men who have grown hopeless about them.”—Clare Boothe Luce
I'm quite surprised the word
December 31, 2007 - 12:27 ET by DaBirdI'm quite surprised the word "patriot" didn't make the liberal "phrase banning" list. Here's one for them: Americas post 9/11 surge in patriotism". That'll make the liberal head spin.
Don't forget "no WMDs"
December 31, 2007 - 12:38 ET by drillanwrOkay ... How about "disenfranchised" and "popular vote" , as we approach another Presidential election year ... Oh, and anything and everything in the Harry Reid and Teddy Kennedy lexicon that I am beyond full-sick of hearing in soundbites from the floor of the Senate.
My candidates for elimination
December 31, 2007 - 12:39 ET by pbanks7Except some to be qualified as "previously known as:"
Religion of Peace.
Insurgents.
Peace Mom.
Warrantless Wiretaps.
Iranian Nuclear Program.
House Speaker Pelosi.
Senate Majority Leader Reid.
Universal Health Care.
Impeachment Proceedings.
My candidate for universal addition: (D, xx) to any mention in the news of crookedness when it applies to a democrat.
Ignorance is bliss. It's easier to repeat a mindless slogan than to do some actual research.
You forgot
December 31, 2007 - 15:19 ET by HermanoYou forgot Hillary Clinton.
I propose the ban of the use
December 31, 2007 - 12:41 ET by Chris NormanI propose the ban of the use of "mud slinging", used to describe everything from outright name calling to the most innocuous comparison between candidates. I find it usually used to describe Republican campaigns. If a Republican says their Democratic opponent is too liberal, that is described as "mudslinging".
Chris, "mudslinging" is
January 1, 2008 - 19:09 ET by MikeBChris, "mudslinging" is what happens when a Republican quotes his/her Democrat opponent accurately and in context. "Mudslinging" is a Republican accurately bringing up the Democrat's Congressional or Legislative voting record and comparing it to what they are saying on the campaign trail. "Mudslinging" is nearly synonymous with the phrase "swiftboating", i.e. telling the truth about a Democrat's past actions.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
Why stop there?
December 31, 2007 - 12:47 ET by landsharkI'd like to nominate the following overused words and phrases;
"Neocon"
"Religion of Peace"
"Tolerance*" (*used only in reference to our enemies, naturally)
and anything uttered by Code Pink nutjobs.
Still other words
December 31, 2007 - 15:42 ET by ThisnThatAdd these to the list.
****-Gate (whatever-gate)
Village (as in "it takes a village")
For The Children (as in "Stick-em up. Fork over all your money in taxes For The Children")
Katrina (as in, "This wildfire is another Katrina-like disaster")
Smartest woman in the world (how can you claim you didn't know about the plant when you're the smartest woman in the world?)
Everybody loves Bill [Clinton] (I don't mind Everybody loves Raymond, but Bill never did receive even 50% of the vote)
The war is lost (No it isn't, Harry -- you dumba$$)!
Torture (Waterboarding isn't torture)
All the news that's fit to print (see other posts in this thread regarding "News")
Happy Holidays (For the record, it's Merry Christmas and Happy New Year -- didn't anybody see Trading Places?)
Undocumented Alien (They're illegal, and need to be arrested and deported -- not given papers, welfare, free medical, and in-state tuition)
Freedom Fighters (No, they're terrorists -- and BTW, they need to be killed)
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
post-9/11??? Let's face
December 31, 2007 - 12:49 ET by Jack Bauerpost-9/11???
Let's face it, the liberal media would LOVE to airbrush out all and any references to actual-9/11. Move along, nothing to see here.
I am sorry, but there isn't
December 31, 2007 - 12:53 ET by motherbeltI am sorry, but there isn't a damn thing wrong with the very rich
imagining that they should "give back" to the community that helped
them become so wealthy! Not a thing at all. Why so cynical?
I have to disagree with that. People don't become wealthy because their community "helped" them. They become wealthy by their education, initiative and hard work.
If they want to do something nice for the community they grew up in, because they had a happy childhood there that's very nice, but it's not payment of a debt.
See reply to kilgrave
December 31, 2007 - 12:56 ET by Warner Todd HustonSee reply to kilgrave above...
One phrase that has been
December 31, 2007 - 12:54 ET by MidAmericaOne phrase that has been completely overused is democrat(ic) 'leader (or) leadership'. There is no such thing. These oxy-morons haven't led anything anywhere. Unless of course it's the 'leading on' of their supporters.
I believe the word "news"
December 31, 2007 - 13:29 ET by wiwfI believe the word "news" is foreign yet overused by the MSM, period.
The Rocky Mountain Collegian: Illustrating Idiocy
I will stop using surge and
December 31, 2007 - 14:11 ET by bassndudeI will stop using surge and post 9-11 if reuters will stop using "news" and "service" in conjunction with their name.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Eliminate this
December 31, 2007 - 15:36 ET by acumenAnd then there is the well-worn out, tiresome, mystifying over-use of - confidential sources, unidentified official, unnamed insider, someone close to..., undisclosed, etc, etc.
The demedia is the only industry that expects their customers to buy it without disclosing who made it. Reuters heal thyself.
Isn't Reuters the same
December 31, 2007 - 15:37 ET by ConservativeRexIsn't Reuters the same outfit that wasn't going to use the word terrorist? Screw them.
How did they miss this word?
December 31, 2007 - 15:39 ET by West Coast MinorityGreen.
Oh, yeah! The "feel good"
December 31, 2007 - 16:21 ET by Chris NormanOh, yeah! The "feel good" buzz word of the year!
Sub phrase: "carbon footprint"
I'd like to take my carbon foot and... :)
Giving Back
December 31, 2007 - 17:02 ET by blackngoldfanYou know, giving back doesn't necessarily mean spreading the wealth, or giving someone else a slice of the cheese. Giving back can also be doing something for neighborhood programs, having playgrounds built for community children, or anything along those lines...professional atheletes do it all the time. Giving back can be something as simple as working in a soup kitchen or setting up a food drive. They don't do it because they think they "should". They do it because they CAN.
What difference does it make
December 31, 2007 - 17:43 ET by mattmWhat difference does it make to eliminate certain catch phrases when the same bias permeates the MSM anyway?
Oh! Almost forgot ...
December 31, 2007 - 17:45 ET by drillanwr"Rock Star"
in connection with ANY presidential candidate ... MOST especially a democrat one (as you'd NEVER hear it used in connection with a Republican candidate).
Unless of course the Nuge
December 31, 2007 - 18:04 ET by Dan The Man 2Unless of course the Nuge was running, then he could legitimately be a rock star.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Amen, my
December 31, 2007 - 18:35 ET by drillanwrAmen, my brother!
Although, I see where Ted's backing Huck ...
another misread of intent of article
December 31, 2007 - 20:59 ET by crsheddnowhere does Lake Superior State University say we should forget or ignore these things (ie: surge, post 9/11, etc).
their point is that the terms have been overused and misused. for example, surge:
'"This word came out in the context of increasing the number of troops in Iraq. Can be used to explain the expansion of many things (I have a surge in my waist) and it's use will grow out of control…The new Chevy Surge, just experience the roominess!" – Eric McMillan, Mentor, Ohio.'
surge no longer is reference to the military build-up, it is used for everything.
here is the university's website:
http://www.lssu.edu/banished/
and here is the list and reasons given by nominators (i don't know if they are students or general public):
http://www.lssu.edu/banished/current.php
when you read the nominating comments, some of these make sense.
Point taken
January 1, 2008 - 02:19 ET by nkviking75crshedd, your point is correct. The bias in the Reuters article is in the fact that two of the three terms they highlight in their lede relate to the war on terror and tend to work in the Republicans' favor.
I'd like to retire:
Diversity. Diversity is neither positive or negative in and of itself. Diversity needs to be connected to a unifying principle. If not, the result is chaos.
Change, as if "change" is the goal. (See most Democrat candidates' talking points.) Change can be good or bad.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Can we still use
January 1, 2008 - 00:44 ET by Connie Brimmer"green helmet guy?"
Will people just stop using
January 1, 2008 - 11:29 ET by KStormWill people just stop using Rooters?
Warner, this is one of the
January 1, 2008 - 19:11 ET by MikeBWarner, this is one of the very few times I have been at odds with you. But I must disagree with your disagreement with "the notion has arisen that as life progresses, one accumulates a sort of deficit balance with society which must be neutralized by charitable works or financial outlays."
Most people get wealthy by providing a good or a service that other people find desirable. The transaction is neutral, as price the customer pays is a fair exchange and agreeable to both parties. There is no accumulation of a deficit balance. Why should someone "give back" when nothing was given to them in the first place? This also applies to corporations. Corporations do not accumulate a deficit with the communities in which they exist. They provide jobs, the performers of which pay taxes. If anything, the communities owe the corporations. (That being said, I am totally opposed to cities giving corporations tax breaks to locate there...especially professional sports teams.)
Now, I wish everyone would stop using the suffix "-gate" after every political scandal coming down the pike.
(Sorry, Warner. I hadn't read all of the replies when I typed this one.)
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan