Words as Weapons... examples please..

[tntwatt]

I got this thought from the thread on what's the big deal using the term "assault rifle"...

Since words are what we use to frame our thoughts, what type of words you use can actually cause the uninformed to lean in the direction you want.

The word assault is a negative word associated with criminal behavior. The anti-gunners use it to throw people into that line of thought. The media does this every day. They use the words which most sensationalize their stories so more people will read them. There are multiple examples in the media every day.

Who would read about a guy in Florida with a collection vs cache?
A man was shot to death?

This just started me thinking so I thought I'd ask you all for more examples of words or phrases which the antis use to make everything gun related look bad to the masses......

 

[Rudy Kohn]

There was a good thread a while back where posters described their homes as the press might.

"Sensationalize your home!"

"Assault weapon" and "arsenal" are good examples. If a collection of five guns is an arsenal, I'll bet many of the members here have "arsenals."

"Fired from the hip," "cop-killer bullets," and "bullets designed to explode on impact" are a few more.

 

[Nate C.]

Assault rifle is the obvious example, but it has already been addressed.

"High-powered rifle". That always bothers me. In contrast to a low-powered rifle? Like what, a Daisy airgun? What is low-powered?

"Bullet-proof vest". They aren't.

"Gun show loophole." Hmmm....:banghead:

 

[Funderb]

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gungungun..............gungungungungungun.............................Bullet>
gungungungungungungungungungungungun...................Bullet>
gungungungungungungungungungungun
.......gungungun....g..........n
......gungungun.......u.......u
.....gungungun..........n...g
....gungungungungungun
....gungungun
....gungungun
....gungungun

 

[The Tourist]

How about on my side of the fence.

Things like--tactical knife--edged weapon--dagger or dirk style--or any reference using 1950's jargon about stilettos.

It's all the same game. Of course no one wants to hear that the most common knife used by soldiers in the Vietnam war was a Swiss Army Knife.

 

[yokel]

“Gun violence” should be called human violence!:banghead:

Gun culture, gun politics, and gun rights are deceptive because they falsely convey a morbid pre-occupation with violence and death.

 

[sm]

The Tourist brings up a good point.
Folks I knew that went to Vietnam used GI Issue pocket knives, Fixed and their personal Case knives with CV blades.

Shotguns were "shotguns" , not shotties, not ultimate, not tactical, but another tool in the tool box.
Ithaca 37 Riot is what my closest friends and mentors actually used. Bone Stock, and 20" barrel with wood stocks.

Like previous Wars, the Zippo was one of the most treasured items in 'Nam.
Zippo was a weapon against fear, dark, cold, lonely, and so much more.

Semi-Auto meant, one had to pull the trigger for each shot, not some evil that went berserk on its own.

Switchblade was a knife designed for ladies, not a evil tool that caused crime.
Ladies working in offices, such as receptionist, did not want to mess up nails.
Oh I am not being sexist, instead the first impression with a customer, or client is that important, so a receptionist with nice nails assisted with the "first good impression" of a company.

Housewives, raising kids, could safely use a switchblade with one hand, to open and close, while a baby was in the other arm, and on the hip, and cut string.

Switchblade was not a weapon, instead a useful, safe tool, designed for ladies.


Society has allowed itself to be dumbed down, and allow words to be used out of context.

 

[JWarren]

As a person who got a Master's in Public Relations with an emphasis in Crisis and Issues Management, I can say this:

Only a fool doesn't believe that words are carefully crafted towards a desired effect.

The founder of the "science" of Public Relations-- Edward Bernays-- defined Public Relations as "The Art of Engineering Consent." It hasn't evolved much past that-- despite what professors will tell you.

The first rule "engineering consent" is to be the one who defines the issue. Once you define it, you control it, and your opponent plays catch-up for the rest of the campaign.

I'll give you an example.

Let's say that I sell coffee.

I may make an ad campaign that states JWarren Premium Coffee goes through a rigorous quality control process to insure that NO rat-poison is found in any of our products.

Never mind that there has NEVER been rat poison issues in the coffee industry.

All of a sudden, suspicion is laid upon the OTHER coffee companies. Do THEY have rat poison in THEIR coffee??

All they can do is run their own statements of:

"We don't have rat poison in our coffee either."

Now they just sound like "Me too" companies. A "Me Too" NEVER has the power of the original-- and it is NEVER remembered-- and it is NEVER completely trusted.

Suddenly, JWarren Premium Coffee is the OWNER of a non-existent issue that is helping JWarren and hurting all the others. JWarren Premium Coffee is also perceived as being more trustworthy and honest. The rest will be suspect.

All because of non-existing Rat Poison.


See how it works?


So this may seem like a trivial issue, but it really isn't. I personally prefer that my opponents ARE NOT the owners of issues that affect me.

In our society, rhetoric, dialogue, and words ARE used as weapons.


-- John

 

[Ghost Tracker]

With the ever-increasing proliferation of; text-messaging, cell phones, Blue Tooth (Teeth?), Black Berry (Berries?), sound bites, the 24 Hour News Cycle and professional explainers, complainers & apologists we should realize that our culture is now clearly more interested in words...than in content. And we, the pro-gunners, need to be as carefully skilled in their use as the well-funded F.U.A. (Forces for an Unarmed Utopia). Speak Carefully Friends.

 

[JWarren]

Well said GT. I particularly like this:

we should realize that our culture is now clearly more interested in words...than in content.

-- John

 

[tntwatt]

Thanks John, I understand the principle already but your example is very easily understood. I'll be using it in the future.

This thread is just my attempt to make myself more aware of the specific usages from the antis so I don't use them myself. As GT said we need to be "carefully skilled."

 

[The Tourist]

Switchblade was not a weapon, instead a useful, safe tool, designed for ladies.

I'm pleased you're a student of history.

The first mention that I know of for a "lady's knife" which we all have come to know as a 'switchblade' was a reference circa The Southern Struggle for Indepence.

It described the knife as a tool a woman might use when embroidering.

(Truth be told, there was a time in my life when I carried a switchblade and embroidered a tale or two.)

 

[JWarren]

tnt... I wish I could take credit for that example-- but it was VERY similar to the one a professor gave me to make the same point.

But it did open my eyes to how easily we can be lead by methods of "engineering consent."

Threads like this one are our opponents' worst nightmare. We ARE getting good at their game.


-- John

 

[Chipperman]

"Sniper Rifle"
"Victim" = the person shot, regardless of whether they were rightfully shot.
"Automatic Revolver"
"AK47"= Any semi-auto rifle
"Saturday Night Special"
"Unregistered Handgun"

 

[Tropical Buzz]

Words in the hands (or mouths) of skilled and motivated communicators can absolutely be used to manipulate the subconscious reactions of the audience and you see it as much in the gun debate as in any other arena.

"GUN NUT/GUN FANATIC/GUN LOVER"
instead of "GUN ENTHUSIAST".
Or
"ARSENAL, WEAPONS CACHE AND WEAPON STOCKPILE" instead of "GUN COLLECTION"

Those are only two of many examples of deliberately placing a negative slant on ordinary descriptions. There are many more in circulation. Its almost getting to the point where even basic, benign words like "handgun" and "hollowpoint" are being given a diabolical connotation in the media.

"HIGH POWERED", used to describe anything bigger than a .22, is also used to convey the image of a deadly weapon in the hands of someone bent on mayhem and destruction.

 

[.cheese.]

high-powered assault-rifle.

As far as I'm concerned, no small-arms qualifies as "high-power"

 

[Sage of Seattle]

In our society, rhetoric, dialogue, and words ARE used as weapons.


-- John
__________________
"My name is a killing word."

-------------------

Howdy, John!


Um... my name is a killing word, too!

And MY posts don't contain ANY unfounded rhetoric, nor baseless emotional pleas.

Just so everyone knows...

 

[JWarren]

And MY posts don't contain ANY unfounded rhetoric, nor baseless emotional pleas.

Just so everyone knows...

Howdy my friend! None would have thought otherwise.


btw... I got a PM again today asking about my signature. My choosing that DOES have to do with the crux of the notion that "Words have power."

But to answer everyone-- it IS a Dune quote. I am a huge Fantasy/Sci-Fi movie/book fan.

And as much as I'd like it to be so, I DO know that I can't harm anyone with my name. grrrr.... j/k


-- John

 

[Guncrazy45]

Knights of Ni: Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

Arthur: Who are you?

Knight of Ni: We are the Knights who say..."Ni"!

Arthur: (horrified) No! Not the Knights who say "Ni"!

Knight of Ni: The same.

Other Knight of Ni: Who are we?

Knight of Ni: We are the keepers of the sacred words: Ni, Ping, and Nee-womm!

Other Knight of Ni: Nee-womm!

Arthur: (to Bedevere) Those who hear them seldom live to tell the tale!

Knight of Ni: The knights who say "Ni" demand...a sacrifice!

Arthur: Knights of Ni, we are but simple travelers who seek the enchanter who lives beyond these woods.

Knights of Ni: Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni! Ni!

Bedevere: No! Noooo! Aaaugh! No!

Knight of Ni: We shall say "Ni" again to you...if you do not appease us.

And other attempts to weaponize words--in a criminal manner, at least--are just as silly.

 

[Erik]

Muad Dib

 

[Sans Authoritas]

A couple of classic terms are "hidden guns" and the act of "toting weapons." People shouldn't think that there's anything wrong with either of these things, but the terms are coined for the purpose of and said in a manner to make people think that there is.

How many times have you heard a female (or male) talking head say the words, ". . . have just introduced a bill that would allow carrying hidden guns. . ." with a tone of voice and facial expression that replicates what one might expect if a cool, slimy slug had just been dragged across their bare backs?

-Sans Authoritas

 

[BruceRDucer]

JWarren Premium Coffee

JWarren Premium Coffee one brand I will never buy.

Man, those guys are one unethical company!



[Great comments though, JWarren!]

 

[sm]

JWarren,

Nice examples, and here is another one from history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Strikes

The brand's signature dark green pack was changed to white in 1942. In a famous advertising campaign that used the slogan "Lucky Strike Green has gone to war", the company claimed the change was made because the copper used in the green color was needed for World War II. American Tobacco actually used chromium to produce the green ink, and copper to produce the gold-colored trim. A limited supply of each was available, and substitute materials made the package look drab. However, the truth of the matter was that the white package was introduced to modernize the label and to increase the appeal of the package among female smokers; market studies showed that the green package was not found attractive to women smokers who had become an important consumer of tobacco products. The war effort became a convenient way to make the product more marketable while appearing as patriotic at the same time.

Bold is mine.

Staying with Smoking if I may, how about Marlboro , Marlboro Man, and Marlboro Country.

<Macho Alert>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marlboro_(cigarette)

London-based cigarette manufacturer, created a New York subsidiary in 1902 to sell several of its cigarette brands, including Marlboro. By 1924 they were advertising Marlboro as a woman's cigarette based on the slogan "Mild As May".

The brand was sold in this capacity until World War II when the brand faltered and was temporarily removed from the market. At the end of the war, three brands emerged that would establish a firm hold on the cigarette market: Camel, Lucky Strike, and Chesterfield. These brands were supplied to US soldiers during the war, creating an instant market upon their return.

During the 1950s Reader's Digest magazine published a series of articles that linked smoking with lung cancer. Phillip Morris, and the other cigarette companies took notice and each began to market filtered cigarettes. The new Marlboro with a filtered end was launched in 1955. In the early 1960s Philip Morris invented "Marlboro Country" and distilled their manly imagery into the rugged cowboys known as the "Marlboro Men." Philip Morris quickly gained market share and saw their sales increase 5,000 percent within 8 months of the ad campaign's premiere. It emerged as the number one youth-initiation brand, largely on its reputation as a full-flavored brand considered delicious by many smokers.

The brand is named after Great Marlborough Street, the location of its original London Factory. Richmond, Virginia is now the location of the largest Marlboro cigarette manufacturing plant.

Bold is mine.


Colt AR 15
I don't have the link / can't find it, but some members of THR do have of the Ads in Magazines, like Field & Stream, of Colt's AR 15, on a table, in a hunting cabin, with a lantern and the ad sharing how the .223 was a great varmint round and how the AR was a great farm, ranch and pest control gun for civilians.
IIRC the ads were in the late 60's and the price of the AR was ~ $175.

Now ain't that something?

Please feel free to post a pic of that ad, and correct time line and price.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Smirnoff Vodka - it leaves you...breathless.

 

[Funderb]

I guess no one likes my word gun, the most powerful weapon in the war on words.