Pixelated Semantics

A schizotypical inventory

The possibilities of extremism

Man of Steel's latest pronouncement on 'terror threats' at his Summit clearly indicates that the tone and choice of words are tailored to the audience and occasion:

"Whilst the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Australia is less than in many other countries, it is nonetheless a possibility."

The use of "possibility" without qualification moves away from other descriptions from the government in recent times, when justification for eroding civil liberties was being built from public reaction to events overseas. The Attorney-General, for instance, warned recently that "people should be extremely nervous about the possibility of a terrorist attack on Australian soil". Howard has also refused to include those he labels 'extremists' in the Summit, reportedly saying "they would flood the media with extreme remarks" - although it seems our political conservatives are free to do just that at will. Free speech is politically selective it seems, and the public is not to be trusted to make up its own mind on who or what constitutes 'extremism'.

Item posted by AutoEditor at 12:47 pm ::