Are we tired of being told we can use some words, not others? Are we tired of being told free speech is only free when agreeable? Is there a breaking point, after which the country says whatever it wants and feels relief? I think most Americans would answer, yes. Enter the latest speech policing: Biden says “illegal alien” will no longer be used by federal employees. See, e.g., https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/biden-seeks-replace-alien-less-dehumanizing-term-immigration-laws-n1255350.
Let us get this clear – before the media muddies it. The Merriam-Webster dictionary, not owned by Twitter, Facebook or DNC contributors, just an institution dedicated to word definition, defines “illegal alien” as “a foreign person who lives in a country without having official permission,” that is, a foreign-origin alien living in a nation illegally.
US Legal defines the term as follows: “An illegal alien … is a foreign national who has entered the United States without legal permission, authorization, or inspection; or who entered the U.S. legally but has since fallen out of status by overstaying or by violating the terms of legal entry,” adding “an illegal alien is subject to deportation if apprehended.”
Even liberal “fact checkers” call “illegal alien” standard parlance, since it pervades federal statute law, making its meaning – as a matter of judicial notice – clear and unambiguous, not political, prejudicial, or discriminatory, just factually accurate. But factual accuracy seems less and less in
vogue. See, e.g., https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2018/may/09/steve-mccraw/illegal-alien-legal-term-federal-law/.
In a world where truth is increasingly fungible, malleable, subject to redefinition by manipulative “thought leaders” and politicians (who often lead without “thought”), words are subject to constant redefinition. They are a new battlefield, in the war for understanding reality. The prevailing mantra is: If you cannot win, change the rules. Only that is not how most Americans see things. They tend to go for factual accuracy, definitional consistency, truth.
We have moved from moral relativity, which denied right and wrong, to total relativity, which denies any one answer to any one question, and finds historical reference points irrelevant. Thus, we are told there are now “64 genders,” which would make past generations spin. See, e.g., https://www.healthline.com/health/different-genders#why-it-matters. We are told that executive orders which are unconstitutionally “making laws” are “not making laws.” See, e.g., https://www.foxnews.com/media/biden-white-house-cries-foul-after-new-york-times-editorial-board; https://cnsnews.com/article/washington/melanie-arter/gop-congressman-bidens-executive-orders-are-dictatorial.
Now, Biden dictates that “illegal aliens” will no longer exist – they are neither illegal nor aliens. They are non-illegal (that is, legal) non-aliens (that is, resident, domiciliary, or citizens), which is why – by executive order – they are now going to be counted in the Census, which redistributes federal resources and allocates congressional seats. The latest Biden gambit is banning words. See, e.g., https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-immigration-bill-alien-noncitizen; https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/01/22/biden-wants-to-change-term-illegal-alien-to-illegal-noncitizen/; https://clarion.causeaction.com/2021/01/29/democrats-seek-to-ban-federal-agencies-from-using-illegal-alien-term/; https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/01/20/joe-biden-includes-illegal-aliens-in-census-to-change-congressional-seats-electoral-college-votes/.
All this makes sense, right? Of course, it does not. One cannot redefine longstanding legal terms and expect people to say fine, okay, red it now blue, up is now down, illegal is now legal, male and female are 64 flavors of gender. At some point, Americans say stop the nonsense, enough.
Note that we are talking about speech. Political action, peaceful protests, constitutionally forbidden political violence are not in play. This is just speech, the sort meant to hold meaning over time, and always free – no matter what the federal government may dictate.
The irony is that free speech is already under attack from Democrats, big money media, and monopolistic social media, which aim to control what is said about whom, or what you can say and what you cannot say, based on who they favor and disfavor. That is not America – government-endorsed, monopolistic control over personal, professional, and political speech.
On top of social media, Democrat activists, network message minders, we now have Biden’s team telling us what terms in common use are permitted and not, in this “brave new world.”
Well, here is a news blast from the deep red universe, that place so mysterious to congressional Democrats where reality lives, works, is locked down, wants to use skills, earn a living, and raise families – without government intrusion. Call this the high land, with no swamp dwellers.
Message: We can and will speak freely, as the Constitution – and 200 years of judicial precedent – allow. We will use words to describe life as it is, as we see it, as our Founders permitted us to speak, and as every generation before this one has done. We will honor our history, intellect, and common sense. We will not call red blue, up down, or illegal legal – just a spade a spade.
In deference to Merriam-Webster, legal scholars, federal statutes, governing caselaw, and the Constitution, we will call those residing inside the US illegally “illegal aliens.” The Constitution permits citizens to choose their own words, even if some offend. See, e.g., Brandenburg v. Ohio, 1969 (allowing offensive speech), NY Times v. Sullivan (allowing mistaken speech), and Cohen v. California, 1971 (people are “free to choose their words,” even if angry or offensive).
If you are not convinced, try reading the 200 cases defending freedom of speech, religion and assembly – which overlap and favor peaceful, vocal, offensive, sincere, liberty-minded citizens. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Supreme_Court_cases_involving_the_First_Amendment. We are still a land of laws, and as long as we are, those cases count.
Unilaterally dictating an end to Keystone is one thing. Telling Americans what words mean is another. Free speech – if you will forgive the idea – is free and speech. In a phrase, hands off!
“We have a two party system”! That means it’s 50/50 for the blame of what’s happened to our country” But it seams Democrats are fast to point fingers at Republicans but refuse to take any blame!!!!!!!
When I can get on C-Span’s Washington Journal “my comment is”
So let’s see, we have Pres. Obama, his US, Canada, Russia “Uranium Scandal” “ Fast & Ferrous” selling Military Grade Weapons to Mexico’s Drug Cartel, and only retrieving “700″ out of over 2’000 being sold.
Then we have Vice Pres. Biden flying his son to Ukraine, his son all of sudden gets slam dunked into the CEO of an Energy Company in Ukraine! Ukraine higher an investigator, Ukraine is forced to fire the “INVESTIGATOR”.
So the $64’000.00 question is if it would have been Vice. President Trump and his son! And Pres. Biden investigating Vice Pres Trump??? would the democrat party have IMPEACHED “BIDEN”?????
Then of course we have a debate over ( SECOND AMENDMENT) “THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS” gee! That was back in the Black Powder/ Cap and Ball era!!!! Da! and as teach knowledge advance’s so do our right’s !!!!
So! My “FIRST REQUEST” to Washington journal is if we could get a conservative and a liberal law professors together and discus “The Broad Range of (THE DEFINITION OF ) a (DOMESTIC ENEMY) to a country!!!!!!
So! My “SECOND REQUEST” to Washington journal is if we could get a conservative and a liberal law professors together and discus “ THE TREATY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND UKRAINE” singed by Pres. Bill Clinton. (Did Pres. Trump have the right to investigate Biden)
Biden is a idiot! That’s all I have to say.
So now “illegal alien” is an offense against the people who come to USA without documentation? This shows just how stupid Biden is, I wonder if the people who voted for him are happy with all his ideas? He is already ruining our country. Sorry, Biden! But Trump is still MY president!!!!!
I have been informed by the mother of a soldier whose unit was called up for a 13 month deployment. The entire unit was instructed to turn in their personal computers and cellphones. If ANY comments or posts indicating dissatisfaction with the election, the Biden administration or any opinion other than agreement with the current regime was found the owner of the equipment would be immediately dishonorable discharged!!! Is Biden terrified of the military or what? Now we can’t even express an opinion ? Where has free speech gone?? For that matter even freedom to THINK FOR YOURSELF?? ISTH CREATING UNITY? Forced agreement is surely not UNITY.
Republican party sort of chaotic this week: 1) Kevin McCarthy went to Maralago to meet with Trump 2) Discuss remove GOP conference chair Liz Cheyney for vote on Trump ( My opininion, voters want their reps to vote independently & not just with party line 3) Controversy over what to do with Margaret Tayloor Greene of Georgia & my comment on this is that she was voted in at ballot box by Georgia voters & so this must be the type of people they want. And to top it off, media keeps showing tape of Donald Trump saying that he loves Greene so he approves of her actions also.
Words as well as elections have consequences. The left understands by changing the meaning of words they can control the narrative. This along with controlling our education system and colluding with “big tech” and “big business” they can re-write history to support their socialist goals. Eliminating our past history by tearing down statues and re-naming public schools while supporting radical groups such as BLM and Antifa is the first step to a mind controlling Orwellian society. I feel it is time to revisit George Orwell’s book “1984” as I am doing now. It will open your mind and scare you to death.
If an illegal alien does not want to be referred to as an illegal alien – don’t be an illegal alien.
I read all of the frustration and railing on many forums and stand amazed at how people’s reaction (or overreaction if you care to call it that as well) it to rant and rave on the keyboard. The solution to this is really very simple; you just don’t go along with it. Who cares if they like it or not? That is their problem. Just keep talking like you always do. What are they going to do about it? Ignore this nonsense and exercise your natural means to use illegal alien, etc. whenever you want.
I tottaly agree with you this is supose to be a free country, not one run buy a few idiots
Biden is not in charge!! It is Obama who is picking the people to run this country! It is Obama who is telling the people what the definition of illegal alien (other terms now) and it is Obama running the whole show and running us to our demise. The US is going to be annihilated beyond repair if left up to the Demoncrats and some Republicans!!
Idiot! How about all illegal aliens be sent to live at his home in Delaware since he is in D.C.!!
I’ve redefined the term “Biden” to mean Socialist, America hating A**hole. As in “That guys a real Biden.”
I believe it is God’s will at this time that America be brought low because of His prophetic purposes. We can complain and express outrage as much as we like, but we had better be ready for what comes next. First deplatformed, then ostracized, then reported to the authorities as “subversionist”, then off to re-education camps or worse. I hope you are trusting in Jesus Christ who basically warned us of all of this and more (Matthew 24:3-14). If you follow Him you will know what to do—not what we would be inclined to do! See Luke 6:27-35. The best we can hope for, without Christ, is that the inevitable will be delayed for a while. Will there be enough Americans who wake up to what is happening and put a stop to it? I would rather trust Christ than politics.
Of course he has told government employees not to use the term “illegal alien” since he plans on legalizing them all anyway! He and the rest of the far left are fully intent on destroying this country.
Well said. It’s refreshing to read this and reassuring that others are equally as offended by this “new culture” of redefining EVERYTHING, DOUBLE STANDARDS, AND HYPOCRACY! Perhaps the Democratic party should be renamed, the “Hypocratic Party”.
This is the PURE form of DICTATORSHIP and these people MUST be removed by virtue of TREASON.
Is it also true that Biden signed an Executive Order saying the agiest term “senior moment” is no longer politically correct and has been replaced with the term “Sleepy Joe?”
Please fix these articles so we can print them. It is easier for us older people to read the printed word and that way we can share them.
Free speech is just that. You cannot yell “fire” in a crowded theatre. However, you can say whatever you want in public as long as it is not profane. They may try to silence me but I am a Veteran that served this country and I will say whatever I want, wherever I want as long as it is not against the law. Biden be damned, you will NOT silence me!
START AN IMPEACHMENT CAMPAGN AGAINST BOTH BIDEN & HARRIS. THEY ARE TRAITORS. TO THIS COUNTRY & NEED TO GO
How long before the Dems execute their plan to get rid of that senile braindead loser in the WH? Biden already signed 25th amend. during campaign permitting
dems right to kick him to curb & put Harris in to run full- blown socialist state. Getting time to show true colors!
I never thought I would see this egregious nonsense take over this land of liberty and freedom, but I did see indoctrination occurring on college campuses, then in grade school’s. The media has been bought up also. Republicans have been watching as well, but naively caving to the loud and obnoxious crowd. Unfortunately there’s no end to this process, its been planned for a long time. They’re not going to stop, only gain momentum. Good luck to all until the next clash. We the People are only slaves now.
I would like some one to explain how in the United States Of America they can put a man with mental problems such As Biden has In the office of the President?
Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for He makes His sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.”
I agree— Impeach him
Biden is an idiot
The Democrats have been trying to shut down free speech for at least the last four years. They don’t want us to talk about the fraudulent election. Most new’s media won’t bring up the Hunter Biden scandal. Facebook, Twitter, Goggle, Amazon, have censored all speech. We have been losing our rights for a long time. I believe when the twin towers came down the government jumped in with both feet and started stripping our rights. We stood by and watched. They said (the government) that it had to be done. To keep us safe. To be safe or to be free what do you think? I choose freedom. Sad times are here. Keep God in your heart. Pray the people trying to take down this great nation fail.
Just like Joe. Do what i say not what i do. Hypocrite at best.
Let’s be clear , I don’t want to live in a socialist society. I never thought that Biden would have taken this country down this road . He should be impeached .
Oppression of speech only succeeds if WE let it ! We have the Constitutional Right to speak, write, and express our thoughts freely and without fear of punishment. Anyone who seeks to alter that liberty or to chastise any American for exercising it, is the one who is violating the LAW. THEY are the ones in need of consequences, and it is OUR job to see that it’s done. SPEAK FREELY, EVERY day, everyWHERE ! Let no one Censor or Silence you, EVER!! The more we understand, exercise, and defend our Rights, the stronger we are.
out of control crazzzzy!
Can you say 1984. I knew that you could.
Thank you for the wonderful article Robert Charles. The truth has been spoken. Be brave folks and speak the truth.
Biden the counterfeit President is now creating counterfeit citizens for his new American paradise.
Hey joey,an illegal alien if here illegally,broke our law and therefore IS an illegal alien and should be treated as such.You of all entities should be and expert on legal because of all of our laws that you skirted.
Our President needs to study the Constitution and Bill of Rights, have his secretary to put it on a teleprompter for him to read.
I am now hereby coining a new synonym:
Illegal president is synonymous with Joe Biden.
What’s the statement? A Rose by any other name is still a Rose.
Words I don’t want to hear again are: Let’s be Clear, circle back, come on man, etc. Ban these words for the rest of the year!
What the hell is the next government dictate?? Will the American people stand for this BS much longer?? Socialism/ communism is taking hold CCP is coming by white house edict.
You can anything anything you want. It still doesn’t change a fact.
Well, just what do you expect, when Freedom of Speech, as enumerated by the First Amendment, can be denied to certain segments of our society because “Hate Speech” makes somebody feel bad! When words that have had a specific meaning since time began all of a sudden mean something completely different, just because somebody decides they don’t like the original meaning, or can’t seem to learn the proper usage for those words! We first made jokes about “Political Correctness”, but we complied, none the less, only to come to the point where the lunatics now run the Asylum! Our “Tolerance” and “Understanding” brought us to the point where we are now those “Second Class Citizens” that we have realistically not had in this country since the 1960s…
If we lose the battle for free speech and free association the rest of our rights will be taken away even more quickly. The democrats have pulled off the greatest coup in our history and the longer the American people delay in challenging their takeover the more brazen they will become. They are ratcheting up their attacks on conservative congress members and are using the national guard to protect themselves because they know that “We The People” are pissed. It’s time to turn the heat up !!!
An illegal president is telling us what is illegal “is”. All he needs to do is look in the mirror,
and he will see the true definition of illegal.
Assault on speech, unless the left agrees with you. HYDRA= the 9 headed poisonous monster is trying and will consume you.
If a person or a large group (army?) is crashing our borders that’s an invasion. Other countries open fire. We should too. President Trump was so right to say; Bring a skill, what can you do for America? Not this democrat crap of come on across the border. You can have 10 kids, a lazy husband, sell drugs, sell children and we will give you housing, food, money from the blue collar Yankee Doodle hard working American people. What a bunch of CRAP!!!
I remember about a decade ago when former Gov. O’Malley (MD) called illegal aliens “new Americans”. The only new Americans I know are the ones who were born in this country or those who became citizens through the legal process. People who crash our borders are not Americans; they are invaders— illegal aliens by any definition of the term.
More and more, it seems, the left and those bright upstarts in Congress are trying to change what we have long considered to be traditional. No one chooses how we decide to express ourselves. Weren’t they satisfied bringing down all those statues of historical significance? They can feel free to look silly with all the new definitions of gender and personal pronouns, but I’ll stick to my 60-year-old dictionary, which is delightfully devoid of such nonsense.
The “undocumented immigrants” are in fact illegal because they have broken the immigration laws set by Congress. The President is obligated to see that the laws are enforced. If Congress objects to calling these people illegal, then they are being inconsistent with their own laws. It’s not up to the President to decide which laws are valid.
We have to wake up as a country. As long as we are here, we’re to love God with all our hearts, and our neighbors as ourselves. Also, we are to be responsible citizens. Beyond that, from bible predictions, it looks like signs of the end times are here. Read Matthew 24:33 and Timothy 3:1-5.
There is much more in the Word, if anyone is interested. God loves everyone, but it’s up to us to make the choice. He won’t force anyone to come to Him. To come to God, we have to ask Christ Jesus to save us. He will if you ask.
Americans had better awaken and get involved in what the state and federal reps are doing to usher in a new form of government. It is so easy to tell your rep, by email, to stop the efforts by the leftists/communists that now run our federal government. I don’t understand why all Americans are not sending emails like crazy, given the threat that this new regime is to our founding and our way of life. Americans better wake up.