Peruse this Palm Beach Post story, “FEMA’S use of term ‘federal family’ for government expands under Obama,” for some creepy word choices. When I was at the Justice Department, I heard certain lifelong bureaucrats use terms like “sister agencies” to describe other federal departments. It sounded like a mindset more at home in the Bundesregierung, but foreign to American traditions of limited central government. The Palm Beach Post story has these gems:
“Under the direction of President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano, the entire federal family is leaning forward to support our state, tribal and territorial partners along the East Coast,” a FEMA news release declared Friday as Irene churned toward landfall.
The G-word — “government” — has been nearly banished, with FEMA instead referring to federal, state and local “partners” as well as “offices” and “personnel.”
Under this administration, the use of the creepy term “Federal family” has risen tenfold compared to the Bush years.
Creepy and scary and totally Orwellian! This current Democratic administration creeps me out! What a out-of-touch with America group this is!
They have also managed to incorporate MSNBCs slogan “Lean Forward.”
In the spirit of bi-partisanship and familial harmony then, I believe we all agree Bammie is the crazy uncle no one wants attending ANY family function. Janet? She’s simply the loon we avoid at all costs.
Are you creeped out when colleges/universities refer to other campuses as “sister schools”? Or when town hall talks about “sister cities”? That’s where it comes from.
The Sister Cities program is a specific nonprofit that links 2 cities around the world for cultural exchanges. So no, that isn’t creepy.
Other campuses as “sister schools?” A bit odd, but certainly not something that is threatening.
The Federal Government as a “family?” I wonder what Thomas Jefferson or John Adams would have thought of that term. Actually, no need to wonder.
No, that’s not where it comes from. Those things you describe are negotiated, limited arrangements.
This usage arises out of Federal Union membership. SEIU. Union brethren.
It is creepy and dangerous, because once people see a group, there are immediately insiders… and Others. When the government starts treating other government groups as insiders, the citizens become the Others. This is more divide et impera, divide and conquer. Driving wedges. Creating groups.
This is why I do not belong to any Party. It becomes a team sport. My guy, no matter how bad, is considered superior to their guy, no matter how good he may be. It becomes about groups and winning to the exclusion of the original purpose. These things take on a life of their own.
Be very concerned when the government employees start talking like this. Remember that they usually reflect the boss’ attitude in things.
Yes, family, the group of people, no matter how much you fight with, you always support against those not in the family.
Perhaps this is the message they are trying to send…
“Under the direction of President Obama and Secretary Janet Napolitano, the entire federal family is leaning forward to support our state, tribal and territorial partners along the East Coast.”
On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 represemting “totally creeped”):
Family is concerning (7)
Tribal is disturbing (9.9)
Partners is pure immitation and unworthy of a score (they’re trying to sound like business), and
Obama/Napolitano is a 12 (totally creeped out, and off the measurable scale)
Said instead of the pledge of allegiance at 2012 campaign rallies?
America is secure with no jobs as long as our federal union family is in office caring for our needs with obama money. No enemy will prosper if they try to break up our loving federal family by hurting unions or voting out democrats.
FEDERAL FAMILY – the new Reality Show…and you are part of it everyday! Sex, Violence, Excitement, Glamour, Tension, Angst, Crime, Money, Money and Money.
The Lawyer for the Federal Family, in one fast and furious episode, gives guns to foreign drug dealers – family enemies – and Family Crime fighters are killed as a result. The Lawyer, in another episode, sues family members in the West who attempt to thwart invaders and enforce laws!
The Policewoman in the family is unaware of the foreign drug dealers and 35,000 slaughtered on family land borders and concentrates on feeling up family brothers and sisters, babies and old ladies while investigating these same people as terrorists.
The family Banker depletes the family bank accounts in a stimulating episode building tunnels for turtles to cross the road, hadicap ramps where there are not sidewalks and other extremely weird and unaccounted for projects.
In many excitingly expensive episodes the Glamorous First Family Couple take fleets of jets to marvelous places all around the world and meet with elegant rich exclusive people and eat fantastic lobster, linguine, ink squid pastas, ribs, cheeseburgers, ribs, tamales, ice creams and drink expensive wines….attended by entourages of dozens of expensive cars, staff and protective services. They also hold many fabulous parties at their white house.
In Billion dollar episodes First Family Head Man creates new cyber games like Kinetic Action and spends billions bombing fifth world countries…..but no Kinetic action at home to end slaugter on family borders, he creates a new protection “Moats and Crocodiles” to avenge the 35,000 murders and stop drug dealers and illegal invaders.
The Glamorous First Family Lady tells the family…you are fat…no more lobster, burgers, fries or ribs for you…..The First Family Head Man nods and says “EAT YOUR PEAS”.
Tune in every day to see exciting new developments in the life and times of FEDERAL FAMILY.