I offer further evidence that words have lost their meanings.
Yesterday, on July 4th, 2002, I was reading up on wireless Internet technology. I came across the definition of FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), a method of radio transmission. There I learned that the frequency of the transmission changes in a “… random but predictable sequence from frequency to frequency…” Random, yet predictable. Sure.
The author of this definition, and I, obviously, have very different understandings of “random”.
Later that night, following the local fireworks show, we were watching news coverage of fireworks shows throughout Arizona and the rest of the US. Invariably, the attendees were subjected to “the tightest security ever” on this, the first July 4th following September 11.
I was saddened to see, in venue after venue, people herded into long lines where they stoically inched past “security checkpoints” to be relieved of their backpacks and diaper bags, sheared of any pointed or potentially dangerous objects and fleeced of any remaining dignity. This was described as “… the indomitable American spirit.”
The news anchor, and I, obviously have very different understandings of “indomitable”.
Far from being indomitable, we have succumbed completely to fear of terrorism. Bin Laden has won. We, as a people, have been conquered completely by “security” concerns and are dominated by bureaucrats, politicians, legislators and public servants who insist, despite all evidence to the contrary (including 9-11) that we are safer if we are helpless and unable to defend ourselves.
“Indomitable?” Phooey. Not unless “indomitable” means “embracing complete and unconditional surrender”. Americans have shown that there is nothing they will not endure, no indignity, no inconvenience they will not suffer, to acquire the facade of safety and security. We may, of course, imagine that we are now safe, even as we imagined we were safe — right up through September 10, 2001.
Indeed, when air travel was resumed following 9/11, air travellers “felt” safer than ever before. No one that I saw, in TV interviews with returning air travellers, admitted to being put out at all by the new “security” arrangements. Interestingly, no one ever brought up the question of whether passengers were in fact actually safer at all. The questions and responses aired all dealt with whether they “felt” safe. Any politician will tell you that it’s more important for people to “feel” safe than to actually “be” safe.
About the only encouraging sign is that, according to the news, people are now willing to drive for as much as eight hours, rather than to fly commercially. The old number was four hours. Of course, this may not actually be a sign of persons, like myself, who refuse to submit to the indignities suffered by air travellers, so much as it is a practical matter; in many cases, I’m sure it is now faster to drive than to fly to a destination, given the long delays and time wasted at airports.
So, on Independence Day, 2002, the American people may celebrate independence from England but we are less independent than ever in other respects. We are more dependent than ever on government, to the point where we have abdicated even the defense of our persons to the state. For this privilege we pay a far larger portion of our incomes to Uncle Sam than ever demanded by the British Crown.
It would seem that people give very little thought to the words they read and hear, and even those they speak. “Random” means predictable, “indomitable” means surrender and “independence” means living in practically a police state.
I think I’ll go grab a Sam Adams and toast King George.