The Wisdom Of Thomas Sowell

Taken from Twitter. This is priceless. @ThomasSowell

For those who have difficulty understanding the strange way words are used by politicians and the media, here is a glossary translating political rhetoric into plain English:

"crisis": any situation you want to change

"bilingual": unable to speak English

"equal opportunity": preferential treatment

"non-judgmental": blaming society

"compassion": the use of tax money to buy votes

"insensitivity": objections to the use of tax money to buy votes

"simplistic": an argument you disagree with but can't answer

"rehabilitation": magic word said before releasing criminals

"demonstration": a riot by people you agree with

"mob violence": a riot by people you disagree with

"a matter of principle": a political controversy involving the convictions of liberals

"an emotional issue": a political controversy involving the convictions of conservatives

"funding": money from the government

"commitment": more money from the government

"docu-drama": a work of fiction about famous people

"autobiography": a work of fiction about yourself

"federal budget": a work of fiction about government spending

"people's republic": a place where you do what you are told or get shot

"national liberation movements": organizations trying to create people's republics

"policy research": looking for statistics to support the position you have already taken

"stereotypes": behavior patterns you don't want to think about

"Reaganomics": media explanation of downturns in the economy

"robust economy": media explanation of upturns in the economy

"constitutional interpretation": judges reading their own political views into the Constitution

"politicizing the courts": criticizing judges for reading their own political views into the Constitution

"a proud people": chauvinists you like

"bigots": chauvinists you don't like

"anti-war movement": disarmament advocates who know the idea won't fly under its own name

"private greed": making money selling people what they want

"public service": gaining power to make people do what you want them to

"innovation": something new

"new innovation": something new by someone who doesn't understand English

"competency": competence, as described by the incompetent

"moderate Arabs": mythical beings to whom State Department officials make sacrificial offerings

"special interest lobby": politically organized conservatives

"public interest group": politically organized liberals

"accountability": holding teachers, public officials, and private businesses responsible for the consequences of their misdeeds

"chilling effect": holding journalists responsible for the consequences of their misdeeds

"Investing":  Taxing you and spending your money on a political pet project.

“our shared values”: the values of the speaker or the writer 

“federal budget": a work of fiction about government spending

“Diversity”: No white, straight, men or conservative ideas are welcome.

“Inclusion”: see “Diversity”, above.

"threat to democracy": affecting our powerhold

"pouncing": Conservatives criticizing Leftist impropriety

"speaking truth to power": Leftists criticizing Conservative impropriety

"Investment" - stealing taxpayer dollars to fund your political donors.

"Populist" - widely-held beliefs that I dislike.

"Popular " - widely-held beliefs that I agree with.

"community":  means them not you.