Now we know why the Obama administration no longer uses the term terrorism, terrorists, terrorist attacks, or the war on terror. They’re trying to move away from the politics of fear, you see, so Janet Napolitano says we’re fighting the war on man-caused disasters.
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has an explanation about why she never mentioned the word “terrorism” during her first testimony on Capitol Hill.
Napolitano tells the German news site Spiegel Online that while she presumes there is always a threat from terrorism: “I referred to “man-caused” disasters. That is perhaps only a nuance, but it demonstrates that we want to move away from the politics of fear toward a policy of being prepared for all risks that can occur.”
Someone please tell me Obama’s presidency is one big joke. Seriously, Allen Funt must be around here somewhere waiting to jump out and yell, “Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!”
Update: I love how GarandFan offered other non-scary terminology for those words that promote the politics of fear:
Oh Janet! You are so ‘with it’. Let’s not call them “explosions” anymore. Sounds so yecch! How about “abnormally loud noises”. Sounds like something the local cops can handle. And what’s with the ‘Predator’? Sounds soooooo threatening. How about “Airborne Peace Keeper” or maybe “Tweetie Bird in the Sky”? Now isn’t that all warm and fuzzy? And lets avoid talking about “wounded” soldiers, that’s such a downer. How about “metal alloy challenged”? No one will know what that means and rather than appear stupid, won’t even ask. Wow! This new Hope and Changey thing is wonderful. I can even see magic rainbow unicorns frolicking in the fields under a warm sun.
