RIP metaphors

A columnist friend of mine was recalling at lunch the other day his first encounter with Laureen Harper.  She was then the wife of the official Opposition leader, watching helplessly (as many spouses do), the wave of negative reportage on her husband. (See previous post.)

On this occasion, Laureen  button-holed the columnist in question and gave him a piece of her mind.  She said (wisely) that the media should stop writing things like "Stephen Harper is dead."  Try to imagine,  she said, what this did to his then-younger children, who tend to take things a little more literally than adults. Seeing their dad described as dead in the paper, however clever or astute it may seem, was simply brutal. 

It seems, especially around Christmas and the holiday season, that perhaps the pundit class might want to reconsider this wisdom from Mrs. Harper.  There's been all too much talk of murder, death, suicide, etc. to make political points recently. I won't put the links here, in the same spirit, but regular readers of National Newswatch, etc., will know what I'm talking about. And I admit, as a member of the commentariat myself, that we can all be guilty of black or overly glib humour. But perhaps it's time to bury the  metaphors and jokes related to death and murder  (pardon the pun), at least during the holidays. 

Comments

[SMcG]

I don't want Harper dead -- just gone as Prime Minister.

[Carol Frilegh]

How about The Star's own Royson James who , on December 9th, used the adjective "chippy" in reference to Toronto City Councillor Pam McConnell (which means "prostitute" ) and "henchman" to describe Councillor Joe Mihevc? (The dictionary defines this as one having some criminal tendencies).

Here I thought these folks were just a nice pastel pink in the eyes of the opposition.

[greyburr]

Excellent point.The lack of respect and meaningful quality discussion has become all too common on all sides of the political spectrum.The rules of the sandbox are quite simple,no insults and no peeing on the floor.It says more about the author than it does the subject otherwise. .

[JR Jake]

The threat of anything has always worked as a 'motivational tool'. The best practitioner was always the mob. Select phrases were better than sending a henchman to break your leg. I just love the robust way man adopts practices to persuade and dissuade a participant.

[Dave Cromarty]

Susan is absolutely correct, and well-said. Thanks. It's one thing to apply conflict metaphors to sporting games (e.g. football, hockey) but we have enough really bad stuff going on in the world without using violent metaphors where they are inappropriate.

My primary news link source is www.NewsWatchCanada.ca and the headlines there are well-considered and informative, not cringe-inducing.

[Margy Thomson]

Agree fully. When my then 15 yr old son had cancer it was difficult listening to the many news clips talking about this and that situation, rumour, etc. "spreading like a malignant cancer". I would go weak in the legs hearing it every time if he were in the room. Naturally there was no bad intention on the speaker's part, but also unfortunately it is a mindless cliche when you think about the struggling people with cancer listening to this throw-away phrase which relates their condition metaphorically with the disease they wish they didn't have and were hoping to overcome. Maybe it's hard to explain.

[Jim M]

"How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread?" Matthew 16:11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVBj1jM5tYk