Musings - Definitions are on the editor's mind

Ambrose Bierce fought with honor and distinction in the Civil War, but the carnage and horror scarred him deeply. He became a fiction writer of some renown, but the darkness and cynicism in his words was unique for his time. His black humor and unhappy endings are more of the late 20th century than the 19th century.

His 1906’s “Devil’s Dictionary” may not be appreciated today, either, given that our time is not one of subtlety or nuance. Take his definition of prejudice: “n. A vagrant opinion without visible means of support.” And politics: “A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. The conduct of public affairs for private advantage.”

Decency is a word with us since the Declaration of Independence, which recognizes “A decent respect for the opinions of mankind. “ In 1954, Joseph McCarthy was called out at a Senate hearing he chaired: “Have you no decency, sir? At long last, have you no decency?”

In this new “Devil’s Dictionary,” this is the definition for decency: Wimpish behavior.

Here are more, found wrapped in canvas, buried under a tree in nearby Pioneer Park.

Bully: Coward with power.

Can’t we all get along?: No.

Constitution: Sacred founding document that does not mean whatever we want it to mean.

Courage: Standing up to bullies and patriots and for the rule of law.

Coward: Member of political tribe unwilling to stand for rule of law.

Craven: Caves to bullies.

Democracy: Persistent hard work with fellow citizens ending in joy.

Democrats: Tribe backed into corner and forced to defend Constitution and rule of law.

Enemy of the people: The free press.

Fake news: Honest mistakes termed lies; lies promoted as truths.

Free and fair elections: We don’t get caught.

Getting away with murder: The phrase, taken literally; also, smashing the rule of law.

Golden rule: He who has the gold rules.

Good humored: We won, get over it.

“I am not a crook:” True only till smoking gun is found.

Impeachment: Futility. A dead end. Also, Ha! What a joke.

Immunity: Granted by three appointed justices, joined by three other Republican appointees.

Indivisible: Our tribe, indefinitely, forever.

Joy: Shared, never ending process of building future together.

Mitch McConnell: History will not him treat kindly.

News: Facts gathered and published often while developing and changing.

Patriots: Those for us and with us.

Policy: Today’s shiny object capturing attention this moment.

Presidential: Whatever I want it to mean and whatever I say today.

Racist: None of us, not any more. No one we know.

Rule of law: Outdated concept of principle that bullies cannot rule.

The future: Will arrive with or without us, definitely uncertain.

The long term: November’s election.

The Supreme Court: Ace in the hole.

The swamp: Anyone in Washington standing for the rule of law.

Thug: Bully without scruples, unhinged.

Traitors: Those not patriots.

Truth: Based on facts that interpretations can neither bend nor break.

Victory: Whatever it takes to crush the other side.

Voter suppression: Crushing the other side by any means necessary.

Voting: Initial baby step toward keeping a democracy.

White supremacist: Overzealous patriot.

Dissent: Brave integrity. Speaking truth to power.

Written for the Feb. 19, 2020 Weekly News. Reprinted in recognition of the July 1, U.S. Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. See definiton above.