Day 23

I do believe that there is such a thing as a just war, but I am a pacifist when it comes to war metaphor in language. It is strikingly common, so much so that it goes unnoticed; many writers, politicians, and journalists simply cannot characterize a debate in the public realm without resorting to war metaphor!

Have a look, keep an eye out. It is everywhere.

Debate for its own sake has merit of course, but there ought not to be systematic language operators injected into debates such that the sides cannot clash without the hope for resolution eliminated in advance.

(notice anything?)

I figure that any democracy has to be based on a kind of consensus. That is, "majority rule" can apply to lots of non-democratic systems just as easily; it is not sufficient. Hell, look at what kind of power GW Bush has exercised with only 51 percent of the vote in '04.

All a healthy democracy really needs is a well-educated public, fair opportunities for debate an resolution (rid of divisive language), and a national conscience that disproportionately prioritizes those most in need.

Mix in some hand-counted ballots, and voila. Democracy.

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