AddisonStSox Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Dear Media, Your constant use of the term "refugee" when referring to those "victims" of Hurricane Katrina and her destruction is grossly misused and incorrect in the extreme. Per Dictionary.com: an individual seeking refuge or asylum; especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion) These poor people you have deemed "refugees" are nothing of the sort. In fact, your use of the term "refugee" is, in itself, incorrect by definition. To paint these hurricane survivors as "refugees" not only does them as disservice, but labels them in a derogatory and inflammatory manner. These people are American citizens, just like you and I. In no way, shape, or form are they "refugees." This is a time to help out our fellow American, not label them as "outsiders,” “persons in exile” or “immigrants.” Thank you. I shake your warmly by the hand. AddisonStSox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:26 PM) Dear Media, Your constant use of the term "refugee" when referring to those "victims" of Hurricane Katrina and her destruction is grossly misused and incorrect in the extreme. Per Dictionary.com: an individual seeking refuge or asylum; especially : an individual who has left his or her native country and is unwilling or unable to return to it because of persecution or fear of persecution (as because of race, religion, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion) These poor people you have deemed "refugees" are nothing of the sort. In fact, your use of the term "refugee" is, in itself, incorrect by definition. To paint these hurricane survivors as "refugees" not only does them as disservice, but labels them in a derogatory and inflammatory manner. These people are American citizens, just like you and I. In no way, shape, or form are they "refugees." This is a time to help out our fellow American, not label them as "outsiders,” “persons in exile” or “immigrants.” Thank you. I shake your warmly by the hand. AddisonStSox Especially means that most of the time that is the situation but doesn't mean all of the time. more general definition n : an exile who flees for safety One who flees in search of refuge http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=refugee I think people are just afraid of applying the term as it in some way implies that Americans are on the same level as those of an undevelopped ountry. And aren't all men created equally? Edited September 13, 2005 by KipWellsFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 I'm grateful to dictionary.com for putting the word especially in there. Who knows, it may be in there because of my soap-boxing. However, one quick look at another online source at my disposal Wikipedia does not include the word "especially." Go look at the dictionary, even the one ( ) and I promise you the word "especially" won't be in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 Silly me, I always took refugee to mean one seeking refuge. I don't see racial, religious, or national overtones, until other people imply it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:42 PM) Silly me, I always took refugee to mean one seeking refuge. I don't see racial, religious, or national overtones, until other people imply it. You would fit in nicely with the media. Take the extra 30 seconds, grab an f'ing dictionary, and use the proper term. /end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 The semantics of the definition don't really matter. It's just what a people generally think the word means and if you're willing to accept it. I haven't noticed but you're implying that the media has accepted the use of the word to describe Katrina victims. straight out of my Winston Canadian Dictionary sitting beside my computer "n. one who flees for safety, esp. from political or religious persecution, to a foreign land." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:44 PM) You would fit in nicely with the media. Take the extra 30 seconds, grab an f'ing dictionary, and use the proper term. /end You're dead wrong!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:47 PM) The semantics of the definition don't really matter. It's just what a people generally think the word means and if you're willing to accept it. I haven't noticed but you're implying that the media has accepted the use of the word to describe Katrina victims. straight out of my Winston Canadian Dictionary sitting beside my computer "n. one who flees for safety, esp. from political or religious persecution, to a foreign land." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 06:44 PM) You would fit in nicely with the media. Take the extra 30 seconds, grab an f'ing dictionary, and use the proper term. /end Actually I was thinking that with the spin you are reading into the medias application you would make a good politician. And really there is no need to get an attitude problem with this. Pull whatever it is, out of your rear, and talk to me when you can act like you want to have an intelligent conversation instead of just screaming at people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted September 13, 2005 Author Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:48 PM) Actually I was thinking that with the spin you are reading into the medias application you would make a good politician. And really there is no need to get an attitude problem with this. Pull whatever it is, out of your rear, and talk to me when you can act like you want to have an intelligent conversation instead of just screaming at people. Um. Really? Screaming at people? Really? Screaming, you say? Hrmph. Ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:48 PM) This is a completely pointless argument but the word foreign comes after especially and is left out of other definitions completely. One who flees in search of refuge, as in times of war, political oppression, or religious persecution. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=refugee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 13, 2005 Share Posted September 13, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:50 PM) Um. Really? Screaming at people? Really? Screaming, you say? Hrmph. Ok. grab an f'ing dictionary, and use the proper term. /end Could be interpreted as screaming, but it's impossible to scream on the internet. Shame on the media, uhh, I mean SS2K for using an offensive term. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AddisonStSox Posted September 14, 2005 Author Share Posted September 14, 2005 (edited) Ya know, now that this is a pointless argument, you wouldn't mind me posting this link. Take note--that is, ya know, if you want to--of how the US Committee refers to those "displaced Americans," those, "evacuees." Notice, I was able to find this link without subscribing to the AP Wire. http://www.refugees.org/ Edited September 14, 2005 by AddisonStSox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Critic Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 05:44 PM) Take the extra 30 seconds, grab an f'ing dictionary, and use the proper term. /end "/end" is redundant. "/" means end as in "/COLOR" or "/rant". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 Evacuees, the displaced, refugees, all similar words but the media is trying to be edgy so they use the most emotion evoking word, refugee. I don't believe it's false to call the surivors of Katrina that but some do because they are offended that Americans could be considered a term usually reserved for those impoverished in the less developped world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 We got somethin' we both know it We don't talk too much about it Yeah it ain't no real big secret all the same Somehow we get around it Listen it don't really matter to me baby You believe what you want to believe You see you don't have to live like a refugee Somewhere, somehow somebody Must have kicked you around some Tell me why you wanna lay there And revel in your abandon Listen it don't make no difference to me baby Everybody's had to fight to be free You see you don't have to live like a refugee Now baby you don't have to live like a refugee Baby we ain't the first I'm sure a lot of other lover's been burned Right now this seems real to you But it's one of those things You gotta feel to be true Somewhere, somehow somebody Must have kicked you around some Who knows, maybe you were kidnapped Tied up, taken away and held for ransom It don't really matter to me Everybody's had to fight to be free You see you don't have to live like a refugee I said you don't have to live like a refugee -Tom Petty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 the US Committee refers to those "displaced Americans," those, "evacuees." dis·place Audio pronunciation of "displaced" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ds-pls) tr.v. dis·placed, dis·plac·ing, dis·plac·es 1. To move or shift from the usual place or position, especially to force to leave a homeland: millions of refugees who were displaced by the war. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=displaced refugees can also be considered displaced, I'm confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnB Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 QUOTE(KipWellsFan @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 07:26 PM) i agree with this sentiment. this is the most pointless argument ever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 This thread is pretty IGNORANT (word chosen for effect). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I'm seeing alot of 'manufactured outrage' in this post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 This article is for the group of people as defined by international law. For the description of "refugee" as casually used for any person who has been forced to leave their home, see displaced person. A refugee is a person seeking asylum in a foreign country in order to escape persecution. Some regional legal instruments further include those seeking to escape generalized violence in the definition of a refugee. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugee Hmmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 QUOTE(EvilMonkey @ Sep 13, 2005 -> 08:55 PM) I'm seeing alot of 'manufactured outrage' in this post. If you're referring to our esteemed colleague, Addy, I agree. One that takes refuge from a storm (or it's aftermath) IS A REFUGEE. Sucks that we're having trouble providing for our own (ZERO blame directed at any one camp over the other. Been there, done that). But the affected citizens displaced from their homes are evacuees, victims, and refugees. All are valid and appropriate terms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 I got an idea............go to this website........ www.redcross.org .........and donate money or find something useful to do to help this situation rather than squabble on a message board about the defenition of a f***ing word. /rant over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KipWellsFan Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 pwn3d! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted September 14, 2005 Share Posted September 14, 2005 (edited) QUOTE(NUKE_CLEVELAND @ Sep 14, 2005 -> 12:49 AM) I got an idea............go to this website........ www.redcross.org .........and donate money or find something useful to do to help this situation rather than squabble on a message board about the defenition of a f***ing word. /rant over. Agreed, and done, and done some more, and Even as the headlines start to fade, it's important that we keep doing what we can to help the Katrina refugees. Edited September 14, 2005 by FlaSoxxJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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