I am sick of words and symbols being used to hide the truth, to somehow spin the unacceptable into easily digested apparently harmless actions and phrases.
"Nothing shocking here, move along, its just an easily remedied temporary localised free radical reaction and will be dealt with shortly once the appropriate action committee has been notified."
I suppose shouting "fire" would no longer be acceptable.
Talking point
What they would like you to believe.
After an in depth analysis had been carried out this truth became evident.
What they really mean.
Any old vaguely plausible shit that we could come up with to justify our actions, and if repeated often enough it might create an alternative reality.
Collateral damage
What they would like you to believe.
An adjoining wall was knocked down during our 10 minute intervention targeting suspected terrorists.
What they really mean.
Bodies were scattered all over the village during our 10 minute bombardment. We really don't know who was slaughtered. There was not enough left to tell for sure, but they were probably not Americans so they are of no real consequence.
Suspected Terrorist
What they would like you to believe.
He was a terrorist and had the bombs strapped to his chest just waiting for Obama to visit the Swat valley, and if not Obama then you, yes you!
What they really mean.
We are not sure, but someone gave us his name, also when and where he would be having dinner. So we killed twenty women and children but we got the suspected target. What was his name again Fred.... an Al Qaeda number 2 for sure...
Enhanced Interrogation
What they would like you to believe.
During the questioning period the prisoner was not given milk and cookies at bed-time and asked difficult questions in a sophisticated manner.
The prisoner was found to have died of natural causes.
What they really mean.
The prisoner was subjected to repeated torture over a prolonged period of time, and died naturally from the causes.
Patriotism
What they would like you to believe.
A warm glow and a sense of feeling a part of a wider community living in the most wonderful and perfect country on earth.
What they really mean.
My country right or wrong. Torture, pre-emptive war, and extraordinary rendition are perfectly acceptable when we do it for our own safety.
Conservatism
What they would like you to believe.
A perfect world where every American lives the American dream and the rest of the world bows down to our exceptialism as Americans.
What they really mean.
Get off my lawn, and gimmie that or else, effing furreners we are number one!.
Rule of law
What they would like you to believe.
The application of the Constitution and the Bill of rights and the treatment of all equally before the law.
What they really mean.
The law is what we say it is at any given moment, and we can produce legal arguments to prove it because we have more money and power than you do sucker.
Extraordinary Rendition
What they would like you to believe.
They were given a first class ticket to an exotic country.
What they really mean.
They were kidnapped, beaten and flown off to a clandestine torture unit.
Wearing a Flag Pin
What they would like you to believe.
Shows just how much I love my country.
What they really mean.
I checked in my capacity for intelligent argument with my coat but my nationalism is showing on my lapel.
We are a Christian nation
What they would like you to believe.
We are a spiritual nation dedicated to living out the teachings of Jesus.
What they really mean.
We have a book to prove it and anything we do can be justified by interpreting it correctly. Bigoted certainly not, its written here is this 25th translation and sorry but the original was lost. Warlike? Did you see what God got us to do in the first part? Eat dust heathen.
But, but
What they would like you to believe.
A highly persuasive argument is about to follow.
What they really mean.
What shit/talking point can I come up with quickly to explain this mess.
Finally a new one, I really wish this one had not cropped up:
Preventative Detention.
What they would like you to believe.
They have been locked up for acts they have done in the past [but we cannot produce any evidence that would stand up in a court of law], and we know they will do terrible things in the future. This will keep us safe.
What they really mean.
We can lock anyone up that we feel like with no trial and no proof for any period of time. So be afraid of us since we have lost all reason.