I have been watching and writing about our politics for many many years, more than I care to count, and in those years I have watched the weaponizing of words in the campaigns and beyond….it has gone from thinly veiled innuendoes to the hate-speak of today.
This election seems to be heavy on the accusations….
Divisive rhetoric — such as labeling immigrants as “invaders” or “criminals,” using inflammatory language like “enemy of the people” to describe the media, dehumanizing speech that refers to people of certain ethnicities as “animals,” and outright racism — is becoming all too familiar. This way of politicking isn’t just a betrayal of democratic principles and American ideals. The toxic talk we’re experiencing is a clear and present danger to our social contract.
The consequences of this kind of rhetoric are severe. Look at the recent rise in hate crimes and discrimination against ethnic groups. It creates a toxic environment in which fear and anger run the show, clouding our judgment and leading us to destruction. It tears at the seams that bind us together, threatening to rip us apart. Most damaging, it poisons our political discourse, preventing us from discussing critical issues honestly, finding common ground and working towards solutions that benefit all Americans. But the danger goes even further.
When leaders use rhetoric that demonizes, scapegoats and dehumanizes, they’re not just dividing the people; they’re actively undermining the foundations of our country. They’re saying some lives and rights matter less than others. They’re violating the sacred principle of equality that is the bedrock of our democracy.
Disrespectful discourse isn’t just anti-democratic; it’s the opposite of healthy citizenship and basic human decency. It’s a poison that infects our society, corrupting the ideals of liberty, equality and justice we hold so dear. This “toxic rhetoric” refers to language that incites hatred, fear and discrimination, and it’s a system in which some are elevated at the expense of others, leading to injustice and inequality. Marginalized groups are inevitably the target of hatred, violence and oppression. We bear the brunt of this toxic rhetoric, suffering the consequences of a society that has lost its way.
https://thefulcrum.us/bridging-common-ground/divisive-political-rhetoric
The hatred, if we call it that, has gotten to the point of no return it seems….
Sorry to say the Trump is the master of this hate-speak…..
“No president has ever spoken like that before,” President Joe Biden said of former President Donald Trump during their June 27, 2024, debate. He was referring to Trump’s suggestion of seeking political retribution, a part of the projected image that won Trump the Republican nomination and presidency in 2016—one that is on display again in the current presidential election campaign.
A UCLA working paper, “Donald Trump’s Words,” explores the distinctiveness of the Republican presidential nominee’s rhetoric and places it in a broader historical perspective. The study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, is co-authored by UCLA department of political science graduate student Nikita Savin and Daniel Treisman, a UCLA political science professor and a research associate with NBER.
Savin and Treisman analyzed transcripts of 99 Trump speeches from April 2015 to June 2024—focusing on political rallies and mass meetings aimed at the general public and speeches to political parties, political conferences and labor unions—then compared them to speeches made by other major politicians past and present, including all American main party presidential candidates since 2008, and foreign dictators.
https://phys.org/news/2024-08-tracks-donald-trump-weaponization-words.html
Common decency has left the room….it has been on its way out for some time and now it has totally exited the campaigns.
At what point do we allow this divisiveness to continue? After all we are all Americans and as such should treat our opponents with some civility.
Does this weaponization really need to be part of our political system?
Please share any thoughts.
I Read, I Write, You Know
“lego ergo scribo”
I think one of the worst aspects of this hate speak is that it ends up creating Two way toxicity in the end. How popular do you think White Americans are with Communities of Spanish Speakers, or Haitians or Black Communities who have to hear these disparaging comments day after day.? Eventually there may be payback for any violence towards them, starting the whole cycle again.
Since in most cases the facts don’t bear out the stupid accusations made I think Trump, Vance and anyone else on the hate bandwagon should be prosecuted for their lies. I have long sdaid that POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT ONLY BE FACT CHECKED , BUT WHEN MAKING INGFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO BACK THEM UP WITH PROOFS. Legislation has been proposed in my Country that will allow for politicians who lie or offer disinformation to be punished and perhaps suspended, that means the people who voted them in will not be well served and could vote in a replacement. Hugs
That is a damn fine idea….this lying needs to cease it does no one any good. chuq
Trump and his VP choice continue to spew anti-immigrant, racist and sexist filth, “normalizing” it…Vance actually aid that if Harris wins the smell of curry and fried chicken will be in the halls of the White House…how could anyone vote for such a vile creature? Well, he gets it from Trump of course
I agree….but sadly that vile seems to permeate the GOP….chuq
At least you know up front where Trump stands. Policies that divide are offered up like sugar by the Dems, and nothing incites violence more than being stabbed in the back with smiles and glad handling in the front. Maybe you should follow both dems and convs before you bloviate you fucking fools and start speaking intelligently. Who knows maybe someone will actually READ your blog again. Both sides are working intimately together, reinforced by secrecy agreements and promotions (to say nothing of a social network consisting of other liars just like themselves). If civilization is to have the slightest chance it’s YOU professional managers some call you, who have to put down you secrecy/corruption mantle and start telling the truth. (Seems to me some years ago, maybe even 8 years ago Putin promised to tell what you fools are covering up). The American people might actually turn on their tubes and radios or read the new again, who know..
Anybody ever tell you that you are a vile little shit? chuq
Common decency and politics have not been in the same room for most of my lifetime. So I expect nothing less than what we are getting.
Best wishes, Pete.
Civility was once a norm but since about 1980 it has been slipping away until we get to Trump….chuq
This kind of weaponization often occurs just prior to the implementation of an authoritarian regime.
I think it is here to stay….win or lose….chuq