Loaded

The English language often has many words that can be used to describe one action. One can place a "spin" on a story by the careful choice of which words are used. By spin, this refers to turning the angle of an story right around. Heroes become villians, and victims become aggressors.

Violent Palestinian riots become "demonstrations". Arab terrorists become "militants" or "activists". Soldiers keeping the peace in an area become "an occupying force". Look at the following two examples describing the same incident. Can you see the difference the language makes?

#1. During last nights demonstration, the occupying Israeli force shot dead five Palestinian activists.

#2. During last nights violent riots, the Israeli peace keepers shot dead five Palestinian terrorists.

The first example makes us wish to condemn the occupying force for murdering demonstrators. The second example makes us want to compliment the peace keepers for braving a riot to remove five dangerous terrorists.

There is virtually no end to these misleading definitions, otherwise known as "loaded language". We must always keep on our toes to spot new ones as they arise, as well as try to erradicate those we have become used to seeing.