I am constantly amazed with the ability of the Right, conservatives, and traditionalists to co-opt language of the Left, liberals, and activists. The Vice-Presidential debate was a great case of this, as Sarah Palin was able to use language of “change,” “reform,” and “the middle class,” despite the fact that this is all language brought into the presidential race by Obama.
The most recent case, from metaspencer, is ECO-LuxuryFur, which tauts itself:
Enjoy the World’s Most Eco-Friendly Fur!™ Eco-Luxury Fur™ has the quality and feel of mink and sable, without any of the negatives often associated with fine furs. Your purchase of this soft and luxurious fur will make a positive ecological impact in New Zealand. Although the animal it comes from, the Paihamu, was imported into New Zealand from Australia in the 1800s to establish a fur trade, its population exploded (exceeding 70 million) and native animals and plants now are threatened by this non-native pest. The New Zealand government and numerous conservation groups support the marketing of this fur. If you like fur (the other side of leather), you will love Eco-Luxury Fur!™
Of course, this shows one of the wonderful things about language: it isn’t fixed, it’s malleable, and we can play with it. However, it’s also a bit sickening that McCain/Palin can champion change and that a fur company can champion itself as ecological. There’s a part of me that’s worried that the meanings of so many words will become so diffuse as to become meaningless denotatively and solely become stuff of affective connotations.
I remember thinking the same thing, Michael, as I watched the debate: that Palin was using Obama’s words, his emphasis.
But those are just common campaign words: “change,” “reform,” “middle class this,” “middle class that…” I wouldn’t say those are the left’s words — at least, not during campaigns. I’ve heard those words from both sides for decades. Every party not in power talks about change and reform, as well as every party wanting to distance itself from its predecessor in power. And the “middle class” — well, that’s just where every thing hits the fan, for both sides.
But yeah, in this case, one side decided late in the game to adopt more of the language of the other.
And that fur thing? Yeah, that’s makes me frightened of one of the things I usually love — the power of language. Yikes.
No doubt. Nice connections w/ the debatese!