I'm sensitive to word usage, pronunciation, and semantics and have always been fascinated by a story in the Bible's Old Testament. The reference is to Judges 12:6 and a war between Gilead and Ephraim. To quote from the New International Version, "The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan leading to Ephraim, and whenever a survivor of Ephraim said, 'Let me cross over,' the men of Gilead asked him 'Are you an Ephraimite?' If he replied 'No,' they said, 'All right, say Shibboleth,' If he said Sibboleth, because he could not pronounce the word correctly, they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites were killed at that time."
I don't think this is too much of a stretch, but isn't something approximating that occurring in Iraq? Shias and Sunnis slaughter each other on a daily basis, enemies because they accuse each other of not knowing the proper interpretation of something Mohammed said centuries before. Apparently it is an offense worth killing for because they go at it vigorously.
The clever use of semantic "spin" in the political world can and does catch many people unawares. Thankfully, the loyal opposition and media reporters are quick to point it out, that is if they recognize it. Differing meanings have been applied to current terms such as "Cut and run," "Stay the course," and "A new beginning." They have become head-scratchers.
