Some people just don't get it

[herveus]

I get an email here at work warning us about plans by a group to protest the Iraq war on 19 March. I work at a Lockheed-Martin facility, and the group has indicated its intent to include Lockheed-Martin among its targets for the day's exercise of their First Amendment rights. The warning was straightforward and neutral in tone right up until the last line. In it, the author noted that the protest was timed to coincide with the 5th anniversary of "the U.S. liberation of Iraq."

I've already written to the author to object to the gratuitous political content in a message that was distributed broadly. I've also explained that the date in question marks the beginning of the invasion. If one wants to claim that Iraq was "liberated", the date of that event would be somewhat later, such as when Baghdad was taken, or when Saddam was captured, or "victory" was declared. No, the word choice was wrong on several axes.

Comments

[ulfrslady.livejournal.com]

Out of curiosity, how would you have phrased the coincidence of dates?

[cryptocosm.livejournal.com]

Iraq is currently occupied by a foreign military power. By definition, it won't be liberated unless and until that changes. (Whether and to what extent it will be a free country after that remains an open question.)

[cryptocosm.livejournal.com]

Calling it 'the anniversary of the entry of US forces into Iraq' would seem a reasonably impartial characterization.

[herveus.livejournal.com]

By using the proper term, "invasion." The invasion was for the purpose of deposing the lawful government of another sovereign state. The term does not, per se, carry a judgement.

[luscious-purple.livejournal.com]

Given Lock-Mar's primary customer(s), did you really expect them to do anything else than to toe the party line with doublespeak?

[herveus.livejournal.com]

Given that the author is in Fayetteville, NC, no.

[weatherman2111.livejournal.com]

Hey, I've known some good people from Fayetteville. They may not be there now, but they are from there.

Sounds like you'll have the same fun I had when the anti-abortion protesters clogged up Union station. A lot of mess and distraction.