In civic discourse, as in nature, it can be said that the shallower the stream, the noisier it is. No amount of reason or applied logic will deter ambitious politicians or their spokesmen from their microphones. Every few years we are treated to another assault on the senses, but I can’t believe those generating the cacophony are the least bit interested in being edited or censored in any way, unless, that is, it injures their opponents. Word economy is not a concept most politicians comprehend. They are deaf to anything but their own voices.
“Controlling the message” in modern political campaigns and in public service has come to mean “give them no message at all”, or at best “tell them only those things we want them to believe”. This sorry situation has come about as a result of just the kind of “editors” you are advocating. Freedom is noisy. I say let freedom ring.
Enjoyed your article, Brad. Thought provoking as usual.
