Speaking the same with different meanings

Maurice Johnson
Published: September 25, 2008

I agreed totally with Leonard Pitts’ article about how language has lost all meaning in our political discourse. And, how dangerous that is. He nailed that.

But, watching the candidates talk about what they each would do to turn our country around — another, related problem struck me. They both say the same thing but mean different things. We are left to
try to “read between the lines” and figure out what we think they mean. That’s terrible. 

I mean just listen to their speeches, here’s what they both say.

1.We need change

2.Washington is broken

3. I will fix washington and make it work for you

4. The selfish crooks and bums are responsible

5. I will assure new regulations protect you, your homes, your jobs, etc.

Both say that and little more.

What a joke? 

Now, I suspect what they really mean and what they really would do is very different from each other, but heck if I can decipher the difference. 

The problem is that their speeches are meaningless, even misleading.

And the media is not performing its necessary function. That function is to ask questions and find out the details of what they want to do. 

All the candidates have handlers and keep the media at arms length. Palin is the worst, but they are all bad. 

What’s the answer?

All media of good faith should band together and say “we will not cover any speech that does not allow questions from reporters after the speech.” 

Yes, Fox will still cover McCain.  and some blogs will still cover Obama. But, I think the point would quickly be made and we would regain a national discourse about the important issues before us. 

And, maybe, just maybe one of the politicians would distinguish himself or herself by admitting that some hard, unpopular choices need to be made and even much more important — making a case,
presenting a plan for what those hard things should be. 

Wow, leadership. 

That would be spectacular.

MAURICE JOHNSON

Montclair