Speaking and Diction
September 21st, 2006Coup is one of the nastier words in the English language, not because of its sound but the effect of it. Let me say, I’m not fond of the word, Kiss, because I speak Spanish and can understand some French, and their words for kiss are Besito and Baiser, respectively, words that I think give “Kissing” every bit the tenderness in diction that such an act deserves. Coup, conversely, is a word that sounds simple, gentle, like the coo of a bird, but its meaning is revolt, anarchy and suffering, which is what’s going on in Thailand. Let me say: this is the type of incident that demands American opinion, American support of Democracy. This is the sort of thing where, when it happens, we should be the first to vocalize against the destruction of Democratic society, and it should especially be so in an area, such as Asia, where Democracy is so fragile.
In Hungary, too, there are Democratic tensions, and as well all know, Hungary is a country with a very strong history of weak Democracy. Most Eastern European countries are, largely as a psychological effect that was had from being controlled by Russia for much of their existences. Today, however, there’s a different monster in Hungary, and the people are taking protest to the streets. You know, I do believe that people — that citizens — have the right to demand certain things in countries such as these, that they have the right to insist that their leadership resign when they’re caught lying. Why? In America, we have a House that can impeach. In Hungary, it’s the people who have to take that power, and I’m glad to hear that they won’t stand being lied to.
On another note: Mahmoud Ahmaniac was interviewed by Anderson Cooper last night, and you have to see it to believe it. It wasn’t much different from any other interview that he’s done, and that’s what makes it notable — that it was caught on American film. The interviewer asks about Ahmadinejad’s Holocaust denial and whether he really believes it didn’t happen. Ahmadinejad doesn’t answer the question and, instead, turns the conversation to why everyone should care so much if it did happen. The interviewer asks if Ahmadinejad’s statement about wiping Israel from the map was something he really believes. Ahmadinejad doesn’t answer the question and, instead, turns the conversation to how the Palestinians should be allowed to vote on whether or not Israel is allowed to exist. The interviewer is interrupted by Ahmadinejad, who questions whether the reporter is a Zionist spy whose questions are planted by the evil Jews.
The interviewer is shocked. End of interview.
You really should see it, if you haven’t. Anderson Cooper wound up saying something like “We have a free press in America - unlike what you have in Iran. I’m asking my own questions.” And then Ahmadinejad just says “Well, I think your work speaks for itself.” And I think it does, too.