From the Verbal Energy column following trends in language in the Christian Science Monitor comes more evidence that the language of political discourse is being IED’d.  Ruth Walker reports that the usage of the word "mainstream" has been observed changing from the time-honored meaning:

Mainstream: the prevailing current of thought.

to a quite opposite meaning:

Out of the Mainstream: Used to describe the ideology of any political opponent."

When a word can mean two opposite things simultaneously, it no longer is useful for real political discourse.  Instead it’s all about whipping up emotions, and unthinking support for one’s position. The Republican talking point machine has clearly been studying Lewis Carroll:

When I use a word,” said Humpty Dumpty in a rather scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean-neither more nor less”.

Orwell warned about damaging liberty by damaging the language.  Pair this warning with Richard Mitchell who ties clear thinking to clear language. How can democracy survive when the ability to discuss/think clearly about the important issues facing us is under active attack?  Soon we’ll be reduced to single syllables, on our way to confining our language to grunts and whines.  And we won’t be whining about "democracy" at that point because we will no longer have either the word, or the concept.

P.S. My prediction on the next word to fall into meaninglessness: "activism" as in "judicial activism."  Challenge your conservative friends for a meaningful definition.

I just added to my blog a list of books I’m currently reading.  Ideally, I’d like the most recent on top, but it appears that the way the lists work in MSN spaces is that new items appear on the bottom.  Not bad, but there doesn’t seem to be any facility for reordering the list.  Any MSN Spaces guys listening - add "move up/move down" buttons to the list editor please!