Dwight is, of course, right - as he always is - NOT!

For those who are interested in the rhetoric of the "War on Terror," Richard Jackson of the University of Manchester, UK, has a book out called Writing the war on terrorism : language, politics and counter-terrorism. Written in 2005, it is a fairly dispassionate look at how language is used to frame discussions about terrorism and terrorists. The notion of "us" versus "them," and how "they" become "them" is included. Using transcripts from political speeches, television interviews, and printed media, Jackson dissects the language used in an attempt to show how words can be chosen and framed in such a way as to create a "reality" that may, or may not, have any tangible existence.

It isn't on Oprah's best-seller list so you may have to order it from your public library (or if you have a University library, try that - that's where I got mine from). It's pretty easy to read; I read it over a weekend so that gives you some idea.

So if it's raining this weekend and you want to curl up with a good book that's not about motorcycles...

Siggy

If life wasn't so pointless and absurd, I would take it more seriously.