What the Meaning Of Is Is
I've long maintained that language is an impoverished and imprecise means of communication. Our obsessive reliance on it fails to take into account just how frequently it's the cause of misunderstandings. From petty domestic squabbles to the United Nations, more verbiage is expended trying to sort out disputes that began with the spoken word than is uttered regarding any other human pursuit. We're seeing this in action right now in the presidential campaign. "That's not what I meant," is spoken daily, by every candidate and their surrogates. McCain on Obama on "negotiating with enemies," Hillary on what happened on the tarmac in Kosovo, Michelle Obama on her feelings about America, Sen. Craig on just what it was he said to the cute cop in the airport lavatory, George Bush on "mission accomplished." Well actually, George Bush on just about everything. It was the press secretary to the late Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago who once admonished journalists to "write about what Hizzoner means, not what he says."
posted by John M Crowther @ 7:27 AM
3 Comments:
Completely disgusted with this whole political thing. In my opinion, Hillary was railroaded by both the main media and the Democratic Party. Makes me glad that I am an independent. Hillary was a much better candidate but did not stand a chance after the media decided that Obama was the darling of the year.
Good cartoon, John C.
Lee, every time you blame the media for the end of Hillary I can only remind you that the race is far from over yet, despite what the pundits are saying on this evening’s news. The America media is as faithful as a two-bit whore in a Texas bordello. All Hillary needs is a few super-delegates declaring themselves for her tomorrow, or an unexpected victory in the next primary and all the pundits will be ringing the death knell on Obama as easily as they are declaring him the Savior today
quote"That's not what I meant," is spoken daily, by every candidate and their surrogates unquote
Problem is that people only hear what they want to hear...latching onto statements out of context and reading between the lines. Add to that their own personal perspective and it all goes pear shaped. And that's before the media gets hold of it.
Great cartoons of late John...I've been away and now playing catch up! :-)
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