||||The language of terrorismOn September 11, 2001, two planes flew into the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon, while yet another crashed suspiciously. Images of fire, destruction, chaos, and death were projected onto television screens across America. Framed in red, white and blue were headlines that read: “America Under Attack,” “The War on Terror,” and “The Attack on America”; meanwhile, urgent messages recorded on cards scrolled across our television screens and news anchors reported the latest news. To summarize the day's events, President Bush addressed the nation. The adjective “evil” was first introduced in his initial address to the nation after the attack on the World Trade Center. Citing the Bible and referring to a “power greater than any of us,” the president reassured the American people of their safety and well-being. Within a couple of minutes, the stage was set for whatever was to follow. Since it was adopted by the media, the Bush administration and the American people, the President's religious reference to "evil" has become an integral part of public discourse. By framing how we talk and think about the events of the day and all subsequent events, including talk of Bin Laden, the Taliban, and terrorism, the use of binary language in religious and metaphorical expression has become an important element in the " war against terrorism". And despite the President and Congress' denunciation of any reference to "attacking terrorism" as a holy war, it appears that the American ideal of "separation of state and religion" has been suspended and/or forgotten altogether. The intent of this document is to analyze the language used by the President to describe the events of 9/11 and, consequently, its binary effects. Given the President's religious and metaphorical references, it is believed that a dichotomous picture may emerge. For example, by using the term “evil,” images of the devil and hell – and vice versa – images of God and heaven were evoked. Helping to demonize those responsible, language initially used by the President and later incorporated by the press, has since served as a political weapon with which to fight “the war on terrorism.” To the extent that the President's speech evoked feelings of fear, terror, anger, and hatred in his audience (particularly the American people), the appeal was made to the audience's emotions and senses rather than to his ration and intellect..

Topic > ||||The language of terrorismOn September 11, 2001, two planes flew into the World Trade Center and another into the Pentagon, while yet another crashed suspiciously. Images of fire, destruction, chaos, and death were projected onto television screens across America. Framed in red, white and blue were headlines that read: “America Under Attack,” “The War on Terror,” and “The Attack on America”; meanwhile, urgent messages recorded on cards scrolled across our television screens and news anchors reported the latest news. To summarize the day's events, President Bush addressed the nation. The adjective “evil” was first introduced in his initial address to the nation after the attack on the World Trade Center. Citing the Bible and referring to a “power greater than any of us,” the president reassured the American people of their safety and well-being. Within a couple of minutes, the stage was set for whatever was to follow. Since it was adopted by the media, the Bush administration and the American people, the President's religious reference to "evil" has become an integral part of public discourse. By framing how we talk and think about the events of the day and all subsequent events, including talk of Bin Laden, the Taliban, and terrorism, the use of binary language in religious and metaphorical expression has become an important element in the " war against terrorism". And despite the President and Congress' denunciation of any reference to "attacking terrorism" as a holy war, it appears that the American ideal of "separation of state and religion" has been suspended and/or forgotten altogether. The intent of this document is to analyze the language used by the President to describe the events of 9/11 and, consequently, its binary effects. Given the President's religious and metaphorical references, it is believed that a dichotomous picture may emerge. For example, by using the term “evil,” images of the devil and hell – and vice versa – images of God and heaven were evoked. Helping to demonize those responsible, language initially used by the President and later incorporated by the press, has since served as a political weapon with which to fight “the war on terrorism.” To the extent that the President's speech evoked feelings of fear, terror, anger, and hatred in his audience (particularly the American people), the appeal was made to the audience's emotions and senses rather than to his ration and intellect..