Don't you own a dictionary? nm
Posted By: onlyinamerica on 2008-11-08
In Reply to: does this word exist, or is it made up?...nm - no
?
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Dictionary of Republicanisms
Dictionary of Republicanisms
by KATRINA VANDEN HEUVEL
[from the December 12, 2005 issue]
Over the past few decades, the radical right has engaged in a
well-funded, self-conscious program of Orwellian doublespeak, transforming the
American political discourse to suit its ends. Think tanks like the Cato
Institute routinely market phrases for their political resonance, like
personal vs. private accounts. Frank Luntz, the Republican
pollster, lexicographer and MSNBC pundit who combines Madison Avenue techniques
with K Street connections, sends out regular missives informing
Republican operatives and politicians on how to spin conservative policy
proposals. (He was on The Daily Show demonstrating his talents, defining
manipulation as explanation and education.) Paul Wolfowitz admitted to
Vanity Fair that weapons of mass destruction was agreed upon as the
reason to go to war with Iraq because it was the most salable rationale.
And we all know how that turned out.
Before we can win the great battle of ideas, we must debunk the right's
political discourse, a veritable code of encrypted language that twists
common usage to deceive the public for the Republicans' purposes. The
key to their linguistic strategy is to use words that sound moderate to
us but mean something completely different to them. Their tactics range
from the childish use of antonyms (clean = dirty) to the
pseudo-academic use of prefixes (neo is a favorite) to the pernicious and very
expensive rebranding of traditional labels (liberal as an insult).
We decided we needed to break the code by building a Republican
dictionary. Skewer their deceptions with the fine-tipped sword of satire. Lies
melt away in the face of mockery.
Unlike Republicans, who rely on rich old cranks and
intellectuals-for-hire to do their dirty work, we opened up the process to the people. For
six months, thenation.com accepted suggestions from everyone who wanted
to participate. The result was an overwhelming grassroots groundswell
of hilarious submissions from citizens who are mad as hell and aren't
going to take it anymore. Thousands of definitions were entered from all
over the country, forty-four states in all, along with Puerto Rico and
Washington, DC. (We even received a few from outraged Canadians,
Australians and Brits.)
As momentum for the project grew, friends and allies joined the effort.
TomDispatch.com asked its readers and writers to submit their own
definitions. Reviewing the submissions from our website, we found that
certain trends became apparent. Compassionate conservative and ownership
society were the most popular targets. No Child Left Behind was the
most common riff. The disaster in Iraq was the subject of the most
outrage. The results have been compiled in a new book, Dictionary of
Republicanisms (Nation Books). Here are some of my favorites. I hope they
inspire you to action, to take back this great nation from those who are
doing it such harm.
abstinence-only sex education n. Ignorance-only sex education [Wayne
Martorelli, Lawrenceville, NJ].
alternative energy sources n. New locations to drill for gas and oil
[Peter Scholz, Fort Collins, Colo.].
bankruptcy n. A punishable crime when committed by poor people but not
corporations [Beth Thielen, Studio City, Calif.].
burning bush n. A biblical allusion to the response of the President
of the United States when asked a question by a journalist who has not
been paid to inquire [Bill Moyers, New York, NY].
Cheney, Dick n. The greater of two evils [Jacob McCullar, Austin,
Tex.].
China n. See Wal-Mart [Rebecca Solnit, San Francisco, Calif.].
class warfare n. Any attempt to raise the minimum wage [Don Zweir,
Grayslake, Ill.].
climate change n. The blessed day when the blue states are swallowed by
the oceans [Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ].
compassionate conservatism n. Poignant concern for the very wealthy
[Lawrence Sandek, Twin Peaks, Calif.].
creationism n. Pseudoscience that claims George W. Bush's resemblance
to a chimpanzee is totally coincidental [Brian Sweeney, Providence, RI].
DeLay, Tom n. 1. Past tense of De Lie [Rick Rodstrom, Los Angeles,
Calif.]. 2. Patronage saint [Andrew Magni, Nonatum, Mass.].
democracy n. A product so extensively exported that the domestic supply
is depleted [Michael Schwartz, unknown].
dittohead n. An Oxy(contin)moron [Zydeco Boudreaux, Gretna, La.].
energy independence n. The caribou witness relocation program [Justin
Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].
extraordinary rendition n. Outsourcing torture [Milton Feldon, Laguna
Woods, Calif.].
faith n. The stubborn belief that God approves of Republican moral
values despite the preponderance of textual evidence to the contrary
[Matthew Polly, Topeka, Kans.].
Fox News fict. Faux news [Justin Rezzonico, Keene, Ohio].
free markets n. Halliburton no-bid contracts at taxpayer expense [Sean
O'Brian, Chicago, Ill.].
girly men n. Males who do not grope women inappropriately [Nick Gill,
Newton, Mass.].
God n. Senior presidential adviser [Martin Richard, Belgrade, Mont.].
growth n. 1. The justification for tax cuts for the rich. 2. What
happens to the national debt when Republicans cut taxes on the rich [Matthew
Polly, Topeka, Kans.].
habeas corpus n. Archaic. (Lat.) Legal term no longer in use (See
Patriot Act) [Josh Wanstreet, Nutter Fort, WV].
healthy forest n. No tree left behind [Dan McWilliams, Santa Barbara,
Calif.].
homelandism n. A neologism for love of the Homeland Security State, as
in My Homeland, 'tis of thee, sweet security state of liberty... [Tom
Engelhardt, New York, NY].
honesty n. Lies told in simple declarative sentences--e.g., Freedom is
on the march [Katrina vanden Heuvel, New York, NY].
House of Representatives n. Exclusive club; entry fee $1 million to $5
million (See Senate) [Adam Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].
laziness n. When the poor are not working [Justin Rezzonico, Keene,
Ohio].
leisure time n. When the wealthy are not working [Justin Rezzonico,
Keene, Ohio].
liberal(s) n. Followers of the Antichrist [Ann Wegher, Montello,
Wisc.].
Miller, Zell n. The man who shot and killed Alexander Hamilton after a
particularly tough interview on Hardball [Drew Dillion, Arlington,
Va.].
neoconservatives n. Nerds with Napoleonic complexes [Matthew Polly,
Topeka, Kans.].
9/11 n. Tragedy used to justify any administrative policy, especially
if unrelated (See Deficit, Iraq War) [Dan Mason, Durham, NH].
No Child Left Behind riff. 1. v. There are always jobs in the military
[Ann Klopp, Princeton, NJ]. 2. n. The rapture [Samantha Hess,
Cottonwood, Ariz.].
ownership society n. A civilization where 1 percent of the population
controls 90 percent of the wealth [Michael Albert, Piscataway, NJ].
Patriot Act n. 1. The pre-emptive strike on American freedoms to
prevent the terrorists from destroying them first. 2. The elimination of one
of the reasons why they hate us [Michael Thomas, Socorro, NM].
pro-life adj. Valuing human life up until birth [Kevin Weaver, San
Francisco, Calif.].
Senate n. Exclusive club; entry fee $10 million to $30 million [Adam
Hochschild, San Francisco, Calif.].
simplify v. To cut the taxes of Republican donors [Katrina vanden
Heuvel, New York, NY].
staying the course interj. Slang. Saying and doing the same stupid
thing over and over, regardless of the result [Suzanne Smith, Ann Arbor,
Mich.].
stuff happens interj. Slang. Donald Rumsfeld as master historian
[Sheila and Chalmers Johnson, San Diego, Calif.].
voter fraud n. A significant minority turnout [Sue Bazy, Philadelphia,
Pa.].
Wal-Mart n. The nation-state, future tense [Rebecca Solnit, San
Francisco, Calif.].
water n. Arsenic storage device [Joy Losee, Gainesville, Ga.].
woman n. 1. Person who can be trusted to bear a child but can't be
trusted to decide whether or not she wishes to have thechild. 2. Person who
must have all decisions regarding herreproductive functions made by men
with whom she wouldn't want to have sex in the first place [Denise
Clay, Philadelphia, Pa.].
Don't know what dictionary you're using.
From Merriam Webster on line http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=persecution
Main Entry: per·se·cu·tion 
Pronunciation: p&r-si-'kyü-sh&n
Function: noun
1 : the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook
2 : the condition of being persecuted , harassed, or annoyed
As LVMT pointed out, they have been provoked, as well.
I repeat. Iraq and Iran were enemies. Due to Bush's ridiculous war, the area is now split open and on the verge of civil war with influence from Iran that never existed before because Saddam Hussein kept his vacuum very secure.
I won't address the remainder of your post because it is inflammatory, rude and defamatory, and I don't communicate with people who can't stick to the issues without resorting to personal insults against other posters. Such remarks have no value among intelligent mature adults attempting to engage in a meaningful dialogue.
Thanks, but I did not want a dictionary definition....
I wanted a *liberal* to define what that means to them...what are their views...what is the *platform* so to speak...what makes a *liberal* different from a *leftist?* Why is Obama not a liberal? That is the information I am seeking...not a dictionary definition. In a liberal's own words, so to speak.
Okay....in your own words, then, not the dictionary...
liberal to the core...why? What are your values, your ideas? Yours? You say those old men with old ideas, so out of touch. What are your ideas? What makes you so happy you are a liberal Democrat, and why is Obama not one? Thanks!
Did you know gullible's not in the dictionary?
x
If you look in the dictionary under hypocrit
It will say "early 21st century Republican Party." How else can you call yourself pro-choice and be pro-war at the same time, all the while back a President who took us into a country that had done nothing to us, kill a lot of innocent people while looking for something that the Bush knew wasn't there in the first place. Who else would say they backed "less government" while trying to legislate the heck out of our personal choices, if the choices were different from theirs. Who else would complain about too much spending and all the while support a President who took a surplus and turned it into a hugh deficit, mostly supporting a war that was a lie, and did not bother providing our soldiers forced to fight in this war the proper protection, and even cut funds to make sure that they could not get health resources when they went home! Shall I go on? Because there is a lot more??
Look, you righties are entitled to your opinion, misguided as it is, and Kathy and I are entitled to ours. Time to find something else to talk about because this is going no where.
In your dictionary - as limited as it has proven to be
x
This is from OneLook Dictionary search. sm
partial-birth abortion
n.
A late-term abortion, especially one in which a viable fetus is partially delivered through the cervix before being extracted. Not in technical use.
The following is my OPINION on the whole issue:
PRACTITIONERS OF THIS BARBERIC PRACTICE SHOULD BE TRIED AS MURDERERS by the state in which they live.
Nice dictionary definition....
Obama practices the Marxist version.
"Marx believed that the problem with the socialism of his day was that it did not deal with economic issues. He proposed that his new (communist) economic system, which called for redistribution of wealth, was more equitable."
Read up on that, and on black liberation theology and "economic parity." Then come back and let's talk about Obama socialism.
Yes, Palin is NOT socialist because she said ALL Alaskans should share in revenues derived from the state's vast national resources. Not taxing wealthy Alaskans to subsidize lower income Alaskans.
Clearer now?
Thanks for your helpful dictionary comment.
That's the problem with discussing things like religion, sexuality, and politics - someone always has to make some kind of smart-a$$ comment and then...
Discussion over.
And you need to read your dictionary for correct spelling......
NM
Consulting Webster's Dictionary online........... sm
resulted in the following. I don't seem to see the word "cult" there.
Christianity
Noun
1. The system of Christian beliefs and practices.
2. A group of Christians; any group professing Christian doctrine or belief; "the church is debating the issue of women priests".
3. The collective body of Christians throughout the world and history; "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom".
Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
Date "Christianity" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1050.
Consulted yet another web site for Merriam-Webster and found the following....still no "cult" appearing in the definition.
Main Entry: Chris·tian·i·ty
Pronunciation: ˌkris-chç-ˈa-nə-tç, ˌkrish-, -ˈcha-nə-, ˌkris-tç-ˈa-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies
2 : conformity to the Christian religion
3 : the practice of Christianity
How about Dictionary.com? Nope, not there either.
christianity - 5 dictionary results
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Chris⋅ti⋅an⋅i⋅ty /ˌkrɪstʃiˈ¿nɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kris-chee-an-i-tee] Show IPA
–noun, plural -ties. 1. the Christian religion, including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches.
2. Christian beliefs or practices; Christian quality or character: Christianity mixed with pagan elements; the Christianity of Augustine's thought.
3. a particular Christian religious system: She followed fundamentalist Christianity.
4. the state of being a Christian.
5. Christendom.
6. conformity to the Christian religion or to its beliefs or practices.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Origin:
1250–1300; ME cristianite < L chrîstiânitât- (s. of chrîstiânitâs), equiv. to chrîstiân- Christian + -itât- -ity; r. ME cristiente < MF < L, as above
Maybe the American Heritage dictionary? Sorry...not there.
Chris·ti·an·i·ty (krĭs'chç-ân'ĭ-tç, krĭs'tç-) Pronunciation Key
n.
The Christian religion, founded on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Christians as a group; Christendom.
The state or fact of being a Christian.
pl. Chris·ti·an·i·ties A particular form or sect of the Christian religion: the Christianities of antiquity.
Maybe WordNet by Princeton University? Nope....
christianity
noun
1. a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
2. the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia); "for a thousand years the Roman Catholic Church was the principal church of Christendom" [syn: Christendom]
Gee....I can't seem to find Christianity defined as a cult in any mainstream online dictionaries. Which one are you using?
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