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When I first came to the US late 1938 at age 11 words were quite different. To be gay meant to be happy, having a good time, etc. Today it is antiquated for that usage.
The Nazis were not the only ones who by changing a name made things acceptable (even desireable: euthanasia, resettlement in the East, Final Solution, etc. etc.). In America, which disappointingly was every anti-Semitic and racist some people were honest enough to state upright (No "niggers", Jews or dogs) what they meant. The more "refined group" put "Selected Clientelle" instead.
In the 49's and 50's one was a patient who had a physician. Now we have a "provider" who takes care of a "consumer"--I rarely consume my physician, by the way.
Liberal likewise has changed but changed in a way that is confusing. I have always considered myself as "Liberal" and am a Socialist. But "liberal" today may mean "Libertarian"--who are all but liberal in my sense. This, I think, is very dangerous--when discussing things it is essential to define key words and concepts. Such a definition does not have to be "correct" but for the sake of a given discussion we mean "X" by "Y".
To change the subject: I think that making Clinton the Secretary of State was a terrible mistake. There are too many very questionable things in her past. She will, I fear, turn her coat wherever the wind blows. To take someone like her---who said some pretty bad things about 0bama--is very peculiar. I fear that this (among many) is amazing American trait: "worst enemy" first and a few days better "my bosom friend since I can remember". These are signs which make the term "friend" meaningless. When everyone is my friend, that is it. Superficiality in foreign affairs can be a disaster. I am a staunch Obama voter--given the choice hardly surprising. Pres. Obama deserves better than to be stabbed in the back.
Dr. Erich H. Loewy
Prof & F'dg Chair, Bioethics (emeritus)
U of CA, Davis
ehloewy@ucdavis.edu
