Words, meanings matter

OPINION:

Robert Knight’s “Neutering the English Language, one word at a time” (Web, Dec. 23) missed some words liberals love to use but need to define better.

Democracy, peace and justice are prime examples. Science and engineering have yielded humanity unprecedented power by allowing us to stick to words that have very specific meanings. Words or phrases that are understood and used globally in the fabrication of reliable medicines, systems and structures have saved much of humanity from preventable illness, injury and death.  

Religions, politics and popular culture, however, now use words that can mean anything to anyone. They even make up words or rename things, trying to “educate” others about their own flawed concepts. 

We need a unique word to distinguish U.S. citizens from those crossing our borders in violation of our constitutional laws. The universal concept that all people are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights is unique to our nation’s founding. Our Constitution allows laws that negate this fundamental principle by codifying other people born in the Americas as aliens or “illegal Americans” after they have crossed our borders unlawfully. This is justified because a majority of U.S. citizens in our democratic republic believe it is right. 

CHUCK WOOLERY

Rockville, Maryland