Buzzword: Demolition Job
6.10.2005
Manila's latest buzzword to graduate to cliché is getting a last hoorah in the Juetengate controversy. Pinoys are owning English in more ways than one, thanks but no-thanks to our politicians cavalier approach on language. Consider the word, demolition job.This is the latest trend so disturbing it is being mouthed by just about everyone on the same day:
Via INQ7: Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson said allegations that he was a jueteng protector in northern Luzon "are part of a demolition job on me."
"Demolition Job", can be said to mean exactly the same thing but with more words as in Congressman Villafuerte's example: This is a well-planned and orchestrated attempt to smear my family, myself and my children. *
In the same news article, National Bureau of Investigation Director Reynaldo Wycoco yesterday described the accusations of his alleged involvement in the jueteng scandal as "carpet-bombing, part of Senator Panfilo Lacson's demolition job against me."
Political assassination or character assassination are used in to mean the same, but the word 'demolition' seems to ring a more sinister terroristic bell. Bill Huang furthers in cyberdyaryo:
A real demolition job
So, the story goes, someone is proposed for appointment to a position, someone else starts a ‘smear campaign’ against him, spreading ‘black propaganda’ to tarnish his good name and reputation.
...And if no one ‘takes up the cudgels’ for him, the proposed appointment is withdrawn, someone less controversial is tapped, and the ‘demolition job’ is deemed to be a success...
...This sort of story happens often enough, and we certainly hear these clich?often enough, that we have to assume that writers, and editors for that matter, have given up any hope of dressing up what they see as old news. Just part of the political landscape, as common as a Manila Bay sunset... *
The word demolition, like destabilization in "destabilization campaign" presupposes stability, uprightness, good reputation. Otherwise there is nothing to demolish or raze to the ground. Since "black propaganda" seem so passe we hear this one instead. I get tired hearing the same word. Would those accused at least try to redeem themselves on TV by being more eloquent?
posted by Jdavies @ 6/10/2005,
4 Comments:
-
At 6/12/2005 01:15:00 AM,
said...
-
still the same jardzzzz full of intelek
Posted by Kyx -
At 6/12/2005 02:35:00 PM,
said...
-
hello world. the comment entry shows up in firefox but it doesn't look nice.
Posted by BatJay, Ang Dating Supot -
At 6/12/2005 03:05:00 PM,
Jdavies said...
-
"still the same jardzzzz full of intelek " Thanks Kyx! Bring back the biggest tuna from Gensan will you?! Masarap pulutan ang panga at tiyan...
-
At 6/12/2005 03:07:00 PM,
Jdavies said...
-
"hello world. the comment entry shows up in firefox but it doesn't look nice. " Thanks Batjay... I'm working on it. I still can't figure out a run a round to the css float problem
The Author
J.Davies
Jdavies lives in Quezon City, Philippines and has been blogging since 2002. A brand manager in a leading technology company and a freelance new media/web strategy consultant, he has refocused his blogging from personal, political & sociological observations, to marketing-related efforts and Internet trends that are relevant to his career and branding advocacies.
About This Blog
This blog is a depot of thoughts and observations on marketing trends which remain personally relevant to the Author as far as his marketing career is concerned. Having evolved from the personal blog of Jdavies, much of the earlier work contained herein are laced with personal speculation, political views, and similar advocacies. These posts are being kept for posterity's sake and for no other reason. No effort is being made to claim that the author will not contradict himself from his previous positions or that such advocacies are absolute.
Contact
Request access to my Linked-in Profile
