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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Phrase watch

I'm starting to see the term "anti-Americanism" pop up more and more from the right side. I'm not really sure of the intended or unintended linguistic associations, but I would guess that it's attractive because it implies a binary opposition to all of America, rather than a more compex posture involving a dispute with this government and its policies.

Whereas the sentiments embedded in the phrases anti-globalization, anti-neoliberal or anti-militarist or anti-interventionist are far more specific and imply an author for that negative sentiment and result,"anti-Americanism" is a strangely inclusive phrase implying a collective responsibility.

For obvious reasons, it is better for the Republicans to frame an authorless foreign policy disaster.

I think that's why "they hate us for our freedom."

(Just a new little buzzphrase to watch as it pops around on the right. It seems tailor made for Giuliani and Thompson.)

4 Comments:

  • While not a phrase, look for more talk about Iran arming groups that are killing Americans (Iraqis, Taliban). While there will still be talk about a nuclear Iran, it never seemed to frighten the public enough to support Iraq Part Deux. I suspect the hawks think the notion that, if not for Iran, no Americans would have died and the evil-doers would be throwing sticks and stones, might raise the rabbles ire.

    By Blogger -epm, at 7:19 PM  

  • Yeah. We're already seeing some of that, but I think you're right.

    The causus belli which deflects US soldiers being killed in Iraq onto Iran is their most powerful emotional chord.

    That's what Lieberman tried to use in his recent attack Iran justification.

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 9:19 PM  

  • But the response is a question: How many soldiers will die if we redeploy?

    By Blogger -epm, at 10:14 PM  

  • Don't you know? Haven't you been listening?

    If we redeploy, Al Qaeda takes over every government from Pakistan to Spain. Then, every person in every country will become Al Qaeda.

    What are you? Anti American?

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 7:55 AM  

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