Words are Stupid Things

In an era of "security accounts" and "Patriot Funds" masquerading the long term Bush goal (remember he has been pushing this idea since the late 1970s, only the dates have changed) unmaking of sociarl security, the PBS series Frontline exposed another aspect of the agenda conservative politicians and activists often have during their recent "crusades" against "liberal media": demonizing key buzzwords and creating new more friendly -- if misleading -- terms to be used over and over by their faithful followers. The episode, The Persuaders, followed consultant Frank Luntz, the man credited with turning the public against estate taxes by call them a "death tax." In his hands, "tax cuts" become "tax relief," and the "war on Iraq" becomes the "war on terror."

You can watch the program online.

I highly recommend it but give yourself plenty of time to watch it.