I grew up and was educated at a time when, “Words Mattered”. I bring this up because it appears to me, that the Main Stream Media and certain politicians appear to not know what a dictionary is for. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the following:
Fact: 1a : something that has actual existence b : an actual occurrence
2 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality
Exonerate: 1 : to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship
2 : to clear from accusation or blame
Vindicate: 1a : to free from allegation or blame
It appears to me that The Media and politicians do not appear to comprehend the definitions above. I suspect then, they do not understand the implications of the misuse of those words. However, I would suggest that they take a clear look at the Merriam-Webster’s definitions of the following words; and the implications of their use:
Sedition: incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority
Subversion: 1 : the act of subverting [1] : the state of being subverted [2] especially : a systematic attempt to overthrow or undermine a government or political system by persons working secretly from within
Treason: 1 : the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign’s family
Propaganda: 2 : the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor [3] for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
3 : ideas, facts, or allegations spread deliberately to further one’s cause or to damage an opposing cause
So, when it comes to accountability and possible legal action, one would advise The Media and certain Politicians to take a closer look at the definitions above and re-evaluate their public rhetoric. As I just heard Bernie Sanders say: “No one is above the law.”
Michael Holland, Tip of the Mitt (MH 2019)