Framing and Reframing

Words matter. O.k., you knew that.

The context of words also matter. It has famously been said: "Let me set the question for the debate and I will certainly win". So, are we talking about "life" or "choice" ? Are we talking about a "death tax" or an "inheritance tax" ? "Global warming" or "natural weather cycles" ?

Also well know is that the Republican spinmeisters, the wordsmiths of the Vast Rightwing Conspiracy, have this stuff down to a science. The Democrats have been taking a beating on this ground for decades and have seemed helpless to reverse the trend. Until now.

Jeffrey Feldman runs a site called theframeshopisopen.com and keeps a careful eye on the spin mongers.

His most recent posts contrast the "war frame" view of Iraq, used by virtually all Republicans and lots of Democrats, with the "waste" frame urged by Senators Feingold and Boxer. Good and hopeful reading.

Watch Mr Feldman and

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jd