Memefighter Week

Baldilocks says, in a comment on this post regarding the worn-out "Bush was AWOL" screed:

You know, of course, that, with the election year upon us, we're going to have to keep hammering these things home again and again.

I'm up for it, as I'm quite sure you are.

Ain't it funny how so many of those specious claims will fall in the realm of the MilBloggers? Up for combat? Yes indeed, fair Juliette, I am. This week, in fact, is Memefighter week at the Mudville Gazette. Starting with that Bush AWOL Story.

I note that Blackfive and Smash have recently addressed the much discussed WMD question. More from here later, if needed, but since they've got interlocking fields of fire going in that direction I'll check six and discuss something a bit different soon.

First, we must coin some terms that may be useful, as I intend to use them routinely (and I offer them for public use too.):

When someone says/writes "There were no WMDs!!!" or "Bush was AWOL!!!" or "Bush failed to build a true coalition" they are likely committing one of two forms of verbal/typographical flummery: Leftspeak or Ignospeak.

The difference?

"Bush failed to build a true coalition!!!" is leftspeak for "France, Germany, and Russia (subject of a future post: "Eastasia was always our friend!") are against us". Most leftys know this and they'll never admit it. However, those on the left or elsewhere who truly believe there isn't an international coalition in Iraq, those who repeat this or any example of anything without fact checking, or at least pausing a moment for thought, may be guilty of ignospeak.

I don't mean this to be insulting. I'm ignorant on many subjects myself. I usually state so up front, if forced to comment in such an area. (The known unknown, to quote one of my bosses.) I also may be wrong because I lack critical elements of information (the unknown unknown). In such cases I'll readily acknowledge and correct myself.

Many Ignospeakers plunge forward without caveat or consideration, and often don't realize they have exited their area of expertise. Colloquially called know-it-alls, this type of ignospeaker will never stop or back down.

So does it matter then, whether someone says "Bush was AWOL!!!" as leftspeak as opposed to ignospeak? Probably not, since neither will reclama nor desist. And as Leftspeaker would refuse to acknowledge the truth and Ignospeaker likely wouldn't recognize it if it bit him on the ass, then no, it doesn't matter.

For another perspective, consider this. For fun sometime, if someone utters such a comment in your hearing, ask if they are saying it because they are stupid or think you are. Leftspeakers think you are, and will reveal this in facial expressions of stunned surprise that you have guessed their motive. (Whilst vocally responding otherwise). Ignospeakers will be stunned then angry. Again the facial expression is the key, so obviously this won't work on Blogs.

Of course, the left will say that since there is a leftspeak, there must also be an opposite, a "rightspeak". To which I would say "indeed."