Grab and Keel

I’m spending an inordinate amount of time in the “Asphodel Meadows”, so I haven’t posted. Hopefully, I’ll find my way out soon. However, I just had to say this regarding an email I received today—

POLITICO Breaking News
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President Barack Obama declared that a “transformation” is taking hold in Egypt as reports said President Hosni Mubarak was on the verge of stepping down. “We are witnessing history unfold,” Obama said. “The people of Egypt are calling for change.”

“America will continue to do everything we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt,” he added.

For more information…  http://www.politico.com

First, if there was a buzzword fuzzy employed in the 2008 election, that got my goat, it was the word “Transformation” used by Senator Kerry in the context of describing President Obama’s then active candidacy for President.

So I suppose it’s only appropriate that I should be equally annoyed with Politico’s reported use of the word now.

As we know, when transformation occurs, it can mean there has only been a change in form or appearance, rather than the third larger meaning of change in character. Secondly, transformation is not necessarily good or better, and can be worse; that kind of valuation comes later.

I now hate this word and the generational mythology it encompasses. Gone are the days of the cartoon “Transformers” where change is heroic and the battle is bad versus good.

Second, when Politico reported above that they were quoting Obama in a “genuine transition to democracy”, I wondered about that pronouncement on President Mubarak’s government and his subsequent refusal to step down. In the past Mubarak has espoused democratic principles. At this moment in time, it would be pretty insensitive of the USA to state that his government is not in any way, democratic, even if there is a genuine need for change.

As it turns out, Politico was summarizing or editorializing or something; HERE is the press release from the WH. It’s much more nuanced and neutral.

Are Politico’s quoted statements in the press release video that I can’t load on dial-up? I don’t know.  However, they don’t sound like something HRC’s Dept. of State would have prepared or reviewed. It does seem like the DOS and the Prez would be coordinating closely on the subject of Egypt affairs. Even if it is time for change, words matter.