Dreamer
Regular Member
imported post
The anti side is acutely aware of the fact that words have meaning--both formal meanings (as defined in dictionaries and the emotive, socially-charged meanings associated with some terms), and has used this concept to great effect over the years.
It's about time that the 2A world realizes the power of words, and starts conducting themselves in a manner that acknowledges and affirms this concept. We need to start using words like the powerful tools for social change and reality-creation they are, and stop using the same terms that the anti's use. We need to use words in a TRUTHFUL way--to illustrate our ideals, our beliefs, and the REALITY of the law, and stop trying to re-define the double-speak that the anti's have infiltrated into the popular consciousness.
For instance, the phrase "relaxed gun laws" needs to be abandoned by the 2A movement. This phrase implies that gun control laws are somehow the norm, and that by abolishing them or modifying them to make them come in-line with the US Constitution, we are somehow "easing up" or "letting down our guard against criminals. Instead of using the phrase "relaxed (or relaxing) gun laws to describe getting rid of bad laws like they have in DC, MD or CA, we should describe these situations TRUTHFULLY and ACCURATELY.
How about we use the term "legal gun laws", or "Constitutional gun laws" or "Pro-Human-Rights laws"? How about describing these liberty-affirming laws as "anti-racist laws", or "Civic Duty laws", or "Personal Responsibility Laws"? All these terms are MUCH more accurate as to the TRUE nature of such Constitutional laws, and more clearly depict the TRUTH of the situation than the anti-inspired "relaxed gun laws" moniker.
Let's call it like it REALLY is, and stop using terms that make our stance look like it is somehow "easing up" on criminals. The use of the term "relaxed" is specifically engineered to evoke this sort of response. Let's stop using this term.
And the more I think of it, the very term that gives our forum it's name "open carry" was actually dreamed up by the other side. It is engineered to sound brash, aggressive, and as some form of protest, or "in your face" activism. Other socially controversial activities that certain people don't want to view are often branded with the "open-something" label, for the same reason--to make them sound like it's not normal, or like they are intentionally trying to put something in people's faces. Think about it--"Openly Gay", "Open Container", "Open Source"--all these things have been demonized by one side or the other because they are portrayed as being somehow unnatural or brazenly offensive.
How about we call it what it REALLY is: "Historical Carry". Open carry is the natural, historical default mode of carrying a handgun, in the context of nearly the entire 240+ years of our nation. Or how about "Defensive Carry", since that is why we all really choose to carry firearms. Or perhaps "Civil Carry", because it it not only a civil right and our civic duty (and obligation) to provide our own personal defense, but because it also promotes civility and civil peace and harmony by deterring criminals from preying on us.
Just an idea, folks.
Words have power--they create the culture in which we live and inform our concept of reality. Words express how we perceive ourselves, and inform others as to our intentions and motivations. Let's use that power to our advantage. Let's use words to create the reality we wish to see, instead of trying to redefine the propaganda the anti's are spewing by trying to use their own terms.
Let's stop playing with their own twisted rules. It's time to speak truth, and show the public--through our speech and actions--that the other side is nothing but fear, lies, and control-mongering propaganda.
It's time to stack the perceptual deck in our favor.
The anti side is acutely aware of the fact that words have meaning--both formal meanings (as defined in dictionaries and the emotive, socially-charged meanings associated with some terms), and has used this concept to great effect over the years.
It's about time that the 2A world realizes the power of words, and starts conducting themselves in a manner that acknowledges and affirms this concept. We need to start using words like the powerful tools for social change and reality-creation they are, and stop using the same terms that the anti's use. We need to use words in a TRUTHFUL way--to illustrate our ideals, our beliefs, and the REALITY of the law, and stop trying to re-define the double-speak that the anti's have infiltrated into the popular consciousness.
For instance, the phrase "relaxed gun laws" needs to be abandoned by the 2A movement. This phrase implies that gun control laws are somehow the norm, and that by abolishing them or modifying them to make them come in-line with the US Constitution, we are somehow "easing up" or "letting down our guard against criminals. Instead of using the phrase "relaxed (or relaxing) gun laws to describe getting rid of bad laws like they have in DC, MD or CA, we should describe these situations TRUTHFULLY and ACCURATELY.
How about we use the term "legal gun laws", or "Constitutional gun laws" or "Pro-Human-Rights laws"? How about describing these liberty-affirming laws as "anti-racist laws", or "Civic Duty laws", or "Personal Responsibility Laws"? All these terms are MUCH more accurate as to the TRUE nature of such Constitutional laws, and more clearly depict the TRUTH of the situation than the anti-inspired "relaxed gun laws" moniker.
Let's call it like it REALLY is, and stop using terms that make our stance look like it is somehow "easing up" on criminals. The use of the term "relaxed" is specifically engineered to evoke this sort of response. Let's stop using this term.
And the more I think of it, the very term that gives our forum it's name "open carry" was actually dreamed up by the other side. It is engineered to sound brash, aggressive, and as some form of protest, or "in your face" activism. Other socially controversial activities that certain people don't want to view are often branded with the "open-something" label, for the same reason--to make them sound like it's not normal, or like they are intentionally trying to put something in people's faces. Think about it--"Openly Gay", "Open Container", "Open Source"--all these things have been demonized by one side or the other because they are portrayed as being somehow unnatural or brazenly offensive.
How about we call it what it REALLY is: "Historical Carry". Open carry is the natural, historical default mode of carrying a handgun, in the context of nearly the entire 240+ years of our nation. Or how about "Defensive Carry", since that is why we all really choose to carry firearms. Or perhaps "Civil Carry", because it it not only a civil right and our civic duty (and obligation) to provide our own personal defense, but because it also promotes civility and civil peace and harmony by deterring criminals from preying on us.
Just an idea, folks.
Words have power--they create the culture in which we live and inform our concept of reality. Words express how we perceive ourselves, and inform others as to our intentions and motivations. Let's use that power to our advantage. Let's use words to create the reality we wish to see, instead of trying to redefine the propaganda the anti's are spewing by trying to use their own terms.
Let's stop playing with their own twisted rules. It's time to speak truth, and show the public--through our speech and actions--that the other side is nothing but fear, lies, and control-mongering propaganda.
It's time to stack the perceptual deck in our favor.