Politics and language

There are a few really good examples out there. This thread has the potential to become interesting reading.

One of my favorite "bullsh*t manipulation phrases?
The "Clean Air Act"

Here's a little background for those of you who want to familiarize yourself with it:

When the Clean Air Act became law, compromises were made in order to get it passed. One of these was grandfathering in thousands of the oldest and dirtiest power plants and refineries, which were allowed to pollute up to ten times more than modern plants. Under a provision called New Source Review (NSR), however, if these dirty facilities expand, they have to upgrade to new anti-pollution technologies and modern pollution-control equipment.
In its latest attack on the Clean Air Act, the Bush administration has moved to eviscerate NSR and allow these plants to expand and pollute even more. On December 30 last year, the EPA issued revisions to the NSR rules, permitting thousands of aging coal-fired power plants and other industrial sites to upgrade without having to install new anti-pollution devices. Slated to go into effect in March, the new rules make all but the most flagrant polluters virtually immune from government legal action. Companies will also be given greater latitude in calculating pollution, reducing the likelihood that new pollution controls will be required.

Gee, who in their right mind wouldn't support something called the "Clean Air Act"? What... you don't support clean air?

Man, it would be almost funny if it wasn't so friggin' depressing...

The definition of terrorism.

In Title 22 of the United States Code, Section 2656f(d) it is defined as the following:

The term "terrorism" means premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

The US Government has employed this definition of terrorism for statistical and analytical purposes since 1983.



According to the U.S. State Department on October 5, 2001, the "Immigration and Nationality Act" defines terrorist activity to mean:

Any activity which is unlawful under the laws of the place where it is committed (or which if committed in the United States, would be unlawful under the laws of the United States) and which involves any of the following:

(I) The hijacking or sabotage of any conveyance (including an aircraft, vessel or vehicle).

(II) The seizing or detaining, and threatening to kill, injure, or continue to detain, another individual in order to compel a third person (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing any act as an explicit or implicit condition for the release of the individual seized or detained.

(III) A violent attack upon an internationally protected person as defined in section 1116(b)(4) of title 18, United States Code) or upon the liberty of such a person.

(IV) An assassination.

(V) The use of any -
(a) biological agent, chemical agent, or nuclear weapon or device, or
(b) explosive or firearm (other than for mere personal monetary gain) with intent to endanger, directly or indirectly, the safety of one or more individuals or to cause substantial damage to property.

(VI) A threat , attempt, or conspiracy to do any of the foregoing."

Notice how the definition in the Immigration and Nationality Act does not include the term "politically motivated". A broadening of the term. Why? Under this definition, isn't it possible that a guy who steals a car can be prosecuted as a terrorist?