"YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN: WORDS ARE IMPORTANT ON TV NEWS"

      It's time to put aside the visual images seen on recent TV broadcasts, especially those covering the Israeli-Hamas War. Instead, language has often taken a special place now, causing the audience to question the meaning ( and thus the irony ) of what is taking place. There are many examples, naturally, but a particularly relevant phrase is the Israeli pronouncement, " "Hamas uses people like human shields." Those words have always struck yours truly in an odd way: the term is both well-worn and also makes a point that doesn't fit. While "like human shields" is a figure of speech, a simile to be exact, it provokes more literal images than figurative ones. We end up being confused; how are we to interpret "human shields?"

    Other words used recently also seem ill-advised. Trump's favorite designation of late, VERMIN, is a case in point. We can't really be sure if he wanted to make a comparison to Hitler's and Mussolini's rhetoric. Perhaps Trump should have considered the more common word, "Rat," whose connotation is more specific and known to ordinary people.

     How about another instance where a word does not aptly describe an object or person? In the beginning of this week, an NBC correspondent described Senator Bernie Sanders as an octogenarian when he was heading a Senate panel. ( It should be noted that although a heated argument broke out among two participants at the event, Sanders handled things professionally. ) While the newsman labeled him an individual who could handle interpersonal challenges as a positive nod to President Biden's age, the use of the formal word was not appropriate. Better to use the term "older person " than "octogenarian" which carries a clearer and less subtle meaning.   Besides, Senator Sander's expertise during the interchange was not due to his age, but to his experience and  focused / honest demeanor.

     This particular hearing also brought forth an awkward exchange during the argument itself. Both Senator Markwayne Mullin and the Teamster President Sean O'Brien threw colloquialisms at each other that seemed inappropriate for the formal setting. Thus, expressions like " Let's take this ( the argument ) outside," and "Stand your butt up"

are very informal forms of communication which are usually expressed in the company of ordinary people. 

     Questioning language in times of stress and chaos is understandable. After all, once something is said, which is live and on - the - air,  it's difficult to change it. It's also difficult for the speaker to take it back.