Bill Clinton Tells Us: Words Matter

Brad DeLong, of the Economics faculty at UC Berkely, shares this post with us.

This, of course, is posted in the aftermath of the tragedy in Arizona. Expect a wave of commentary to the effect that all who publicly disagree with the Vision of Obama share culpability with the deranged man who opened fire.

Strange that DeLong would cite Clinton on the subject, but then again, that Memory Hole seems to be working well for Bill, since Clinton actually appears sane compared to Obama.

So, OS ruminates in response here, since it is unlikely Prof. DeLong will tolerate such impudence from his readership:

Well, yes, words do have meaning.

It is interesting to hear these words emerge from the lips of the man who vociferously declared: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky; and is most remembered for his most famous turn of phrase 'That would depend on what your meaning of the word 'is' is.'

It is good at last to see that Mr. Clinton finally agrees with the rest of us that words have meaning, and that they matter. His current successor has used the words 'enemies' and 'hostage takers' to describe those who disagree with him, and these words uttered quite recently.

So, indeed it is a good thing to witness Mr. Clinton utter sounds that sound like the words we understand to mean '...the words we use really do matter...'

Let's hope at last he understands them, and means them.

Perhaps, on his next visit back in his old 'hood, he could even remind the current occupant...