"Words Matter"

                                                                                                                                       "Words Matter"
                                    Jan. 14, 1995

"Between you and me."  These words have been said over and over and imply a specific meaning.  Yet today, we 'debate'
what they REALLY mean.

Upon reviewing the recent story centering on the interview
with Mrs. Gingrich and Ms. Chung I thought about words, and
how we are stretching the meaning of them to suit our needs.

Words do matter.  And one of the first words that comes to mind is 'honesty' and how it is used in our judicial system.

I am always amazed at how many people are 'innocent' when they are charged with a crime. Yes, innocent people are sometimes incorrectly charged. But the number of people who claim to be innocent is so high, either the system is
terribly broken, or many of these people are lying.

Let's look at the most publicized trial that I can remember, the trial of OJ Simpson.

There are only two choices, either he was involved with the
murders or he was not. Upon being charged Mr. Simpson had
two plea options, guilty or innocent. He pleaded innocent.

Back to honesty. Suppose Mr. Simpson is guilty and lied.
If he had told the truth and pleaded guilty to the crime, the case would be complete. He would have been already prosecuted and sentenced.

The families would go on with their lives, the media could go back to the business of covering the more important issues in our lives and the public would be 'freed' of their addiction of 'journalism', until the next 'important' story needed this degree of coverage.  So words do matter.

The next example centers on politicians, the most celebrated masters of our vocabulary. 'No new taxes' cost a man a Presidency.

'I didn't inhale', 'I am not a crook', 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself', 'Ask not what your country can do for you....'; etc.

There are so many examples of words that politicians use to
inspire or conspire. And we have to be wise enough to see
the difference.

How often do we listen with more than just a small degree of
cynicism when a politician is interviewed.  We sit and listen, measuring every word, making sure what is stated
cannot mean anything more than what we hear.

Its a shame a person's word is not what it once was. But,
Norman Rockwell is gone, and so is that part of America.

                                Anthony J. Bruno