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Friday, September 08, 2006
Redeploying Language
PSAYINGS.5Q.46. The Democrats are trying pretty hard to show us that they're strong on national security and the War on Terror. That's why they introduced their new (?) multi-point plan for re-strategerating U.S. policy. Here's their own summary:
Therefore, we urge you once again to
consider changes to your Iraq policy. We propose a new direction, which
would include: (1) transitioning the U.S. mission in Iraq to
counter-terrorism, training, logistics and force protection; (2) beginning the phased redeployment of U.S.
forces from Iraq before the end of this year; (3) working with
Iraqi leaders to disarm the militias and to develop a broad-based and
sustainable political settlement, including amending the Constitution
to achieve a fair sharing of power and resources; and (4) convening an
international conference and contact group to support a political
settlement in Iraq, to preserve Iraq's sovereignty, and to revitalize
the stalled economic reconstruction and rebuilding effort. [boldface
added].
Of course, it's all just talk except for the highlighted point. The others are being done already or, like point four, can't be done because other world leaders are no more interested in a stable, free Iraq than the Democrats are. But I am fascinated by the use of the word 'redeployment.' The context makes it obvious that they are talking about leaving Iraq; that is, quitting, surrendering, giving up, making like sheep and getting the flock out of there, or whatever other synonym you prefer. So why bother with the neologism? Curious, I did some research among some of history's greatest speechifiers and discovered just how noble and valuable the word 'redeploy' and its conjugates is.
Here, for your education and entertainment, are a few eloquent examples:
We shall fight on the beaches, we shall
fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the
streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never redeploy.
No other terms than unconditional and immediate redeployment can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.
I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not redeploy leaving any available card unplayed.
There was a famous saying in the Stalin years: “If the enemy won’t redeploy, let’s finish him off.”
The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are…. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of redeployment....
The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a redeployment.
Redeploy! Redeploy!
No other terms than unconditional and immediate redeployment can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.
I must save this government if possible. What I cannot do, of course I will not do; but it may as well be understood, once for all, that I shall not redeploy leaving any available card unplayed.
There was a famous saying in the Stalin years: “If the enemy won’t redeploy, let’s finish him off.”
The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are…. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of redeployment....
The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a redeployment.
Redeploy! Redeploy!
Sometimes junk words actually sound better than real words. Sometimes they don't.
