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Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

Edgy MD May 23 2012 10:15 AM

The Washington Post"]The director of the U.S. Secret Service publicly apologized for the first time Wednesday for a prostitution scandal that has rocked his agency as lawmakers revealed fresh allegations of misconduct including reports of non-consensual sex and soliciting prostitutes. That seems like such an awkward term: "non-consensual sex." If only there were a brief, one-word term that could get to the heart of what that really means.

Benjamin Grimm May 23 2012 11:19 AM Re: Politics in 2012

I can think of a word. I admit I haven't been following the details of this story. I thought it was just about haggling with a prostitute. Were there also allegations of rape?

Edgy MD May 23 2012 11:34 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Not part of the same trip, but uncovered in the ensuing investigation. Prosecutors elected not to prosecute, which may or may not be something, but I just found it embarassingly awkward how the Post tiptoed around a loaded --- but seemingly entirely appropriate and obvious --- word.

Edgy MD May 23 2012 11:36 AM Re: Politics in 2012

And that further "soliciting prostitutes" charge, if you read further down, is about soliciting underage prostitutes. Which again, makes me grasp for a word.

Ceetar May 23 2012 11:44 AM Re: Politics in 2012

That non-consensual word always seemed emasculating/dehumanizing to me. I get the point of it, but telling a teenager that you don't know what you mean/want just seems so contrary to what teenagers (moreso the 16-17 year old ones that are 'almost' adults) should be doing. These are the same kids that are about to make or are already making big life decisions like college, voting, joining the military etc.

Edgy MD May 23 2012 11:54 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Face plant.

Ceetar May 23 2012 11:57 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Face plant. i just think it's vague and non descriptive. that's it. nothing political. and I think that deemphasizes the importance of the reason it's usually used. Makes the teenager seem like a pawn irrelevant to the situation. That's just how it always strikes me the way it's used. all I'm saying, and that's all I'm going to say. (And I think it's the point you were trying to make too)

Edgy MD May 23 2012 11:59 AM Re: Politics in 2012

I understand it's all you're going to say. You hate talking about anything poltiical.

Ceetar May 23 2012 12:03 PM Re: Politics in 2012

Edgy DC wrote: I understand it's all you're going to say. You hate talking about anything poltiical. I more hate politics than talking about it, but yeah. Of course, it's all Disneyland compared to 7.5 hours staring at outdated computer code all day.

Frayed Knot May 23 2012 12:04 PM Re: Politics in 2012

You have to remember that these are statements from the government. What do you expect to hear from the folks who describe hammers as nail insertion devices?

Edgy MD May 23 2012 12:08 PM Re: Politics in 2012

Well, it's not in quotes, so the Post has the option of using any term they feel is appropriate.

Nymr83 May 23 2012 12:54 PM Re: Politics in 2012

With regard to the "under-aged" prostitutes, how old were they? What is the age of consent in the country in question? There certainly comes a point where you need to say something is WRONG no matter what the local laws, but surely if most US states set the age at 17 or 18 can we really judge too harshly if another country says its 16? As for the "non-consensual sex", that phrase annoys the hell out of me, have some balls and print the word RAPE (you can even say "alledgedly raped" if you are afraid of a libel suit or something)

Edgy MD May 23 2012 01:10 PM Re: Politics in 2012

Well, I'm thinking that "underage" implies "under the age of consent." I haven't read the official report (don't know if it's publicly available yet), but the article says the employee (agent?) was caught in a sting, which to me implies he was doing his thing stateside.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 23 2012 05:26 PM Re: Politics in 2012

Yes, but "under the age of consent" varies from state to state, much less nation to nation. i just think it's vague and non descriptive. that's it. nothing political. and I think that deemphasizes the importance of the reason it's usually used. Makes the teenager seem like a pawn irrelevant to the situation. They're underage prostitutes in a place-- socioeconomic and geographic-- that renders upward mobility as likely out of their reach. You're concerned that a word choice marginalizes their agency?

Ceetar May 23 2012 06:25 PM Re: Politics in 2012

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Yes, but "under the age of consent" varies from state to state, much less nation to nation. i just think it's vague and non descriptive. that's it. nothing political. and I think that deemphasizes the importance of the reason it's usually used. Makes the teenager seem like a pawn irrelevant to the situation. They're underage prostitutes in a place-- socioeconomic and geographic-- that renders upward mobility as likely out of their reach. You're concerned that a word choice marginalizes their agency? no, not prostitutes. in general. But it does feel weird to describe a situation in the purely legal sense.

Edgy MD May 23 2012 08:51 PM Re: Politics in 2012

What term is more fraught with careful parsing --- "forcible sex" or "rape"?

MFS62 May 23 2012 09:09 PM Re: Politics in 2012 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on May 24 2012 07:31 AM

Frayed Knot wrote: You have to remember that these are statements from the government. What do you expect to hear from the folks who describe hammers as nail insertion devices? How else can they justify paying $700 each for them? Later

metsguyinmichigan May 24 2012 03:52 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Frayed Knot wrote: You have to remember that these are statements from the government. What do you expect to hear from the folks who describe hammers as nail insertion devices? There you go: Improper use of the male insertion device.

Frayed Knot May 24 2012 05:37 AM Re: Politics in 2012

You have to remember that these are statements from the government. What do you expect to hear from the folks who describe hammers as nail insertion devices? There you go: Improper use of the male insertion device. No, no: Sperm delivery system; aka the SDS

metirish May 24 2012 06:46 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

dying saw Sullivan on the news being grilled by Joe Lieberman ....actually grilled is the wrong word, that guy should just go away.....

Ceetar May 24 2012 06:52 AM Re: Politics in 2012

You have to remember that these are statements from the government. What do you expect to hear from the folks who describe hammers as nail insertion devices? There you go: Improper use of the male insertion device. No, no: Sperm delivery system; aka the SDS no no, that leaves open all sorts of legal loopholes "No your honor, There was no sperm delivery system because I installed a magnum sized Sperm Blocking Device. I'm innocent!"

Edgy MD May 24 2012 07:11 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

metirish wrote: dying saw Sullivan on the news being grilled by Joe Lieberman ....actually grilled is the wrong word, that guy should just go away..... I don't tend to agree with Joe Lieberman on much, but as a person who's politically homeless myself, I love him and appreciate the courage it takes to stand alone. He's already announced his retirement, but he continues to work hard rather than ride out the term trying to secure his legacy.

Mets – Willets Point May 24 2012 08:15 AM Re: Politics in 2012

Edgy DC wrote: Well, it's not in quotes, so the Post has the option of using any term they feel is appropriate. The Post is part of the right-wing mainstream media and doesn't recognize the word "rape" as anything other than a ploy used by feminists to ruin the reputations of fine, upstanding men.

Edgy MD May 24 2012 08:26 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

Ironic or serious? If The Washington Post represents the right-wing mainstream (right wing and mainstream?) media, then so does most every other outlet. I mean, come on. The Washington Post? Hating on feminists?

Mets – Willets Point May 24 2012 08:42 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

I was thinking New York Post. Sorry.

Edgy MD May 24 2012 08:49 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

Whew.

Lefty Specialist May 24 2012 09:20 AM Re: Journalistic Euphemism (split from Politcs 2012)

Here’s the headline: NBC-Marist polls: Dems have slight edge in three key Senate races Here’s the poll results: In Ohio, they’re ahead by 14 points In Virginia they’re ahead by 6 points In Florida, they’re ahead by 4 points. Now, 'slight edge' to me means, I dunno, 1 or 2 points. If 14 points is a slight edge, I guess a Kim Jong-Il style election would be required to have a 'comfortable lead'.