Terminology & smaller battles

[ThePonderer]

We seem to be fighting a war here, and that war is made up of smaller battles.

 

One thing we have probably all faced is the negative views of others, who often see and promote us in a poor, if not downright bad, light.

 

L_R just posted a link about food parcel plans from the Grauniad;

 

In that article there was a description of stopped benefit that defies belief, but highlights one of the problems rather well; the "spinners" have it described as "delayed" which all sounds a lot cosier than the reality faced by the person who has had their payment delayed (just ask "wishface" for example or read the thread, sorry not sure how to link to that)

 

I would say that one could equally describe it as "ceased indefinitely" rather than "delayed". Often it is not possible to know when the payment will resume or even if it will.

 

We really need to start to undo some of the spin used to our detriment. So if you spot a phrase that is used to conceal a harsher truth, then post it here and let's find a more real way to describe things and also use that in future contact we may have, that way we can try to turn the tide of "smoothing it all over" and "brushing these things under the carpet".

 

It is a small and do-able method to reject just taking this thing laying down, but also to try and change perceptions back to where they more closely reflect our everyday experiences, so that even the ill informed may grasp what is going on, it may also get them to wonder how they would feel if this were to befall them. If it is potentially their problem too, then they may suddenly find themselves motivated and interested enough to accept the need for this to change for the better too.

 

We need to paint a clearer picture, and to prevent distorted and softened ones getting painted where ever we see an opportunity to do so.

 

It is so easy to do that even I can do it. What about anyone else?

[PriorityOne]

The whole system is based on spin Ponderer.

 

Income support.... when there's no income to support.

JSA.... implying that you have to seek work to be allowed money.

 

Two examples to be going on with... but the word benefit is slowly being phased out and replaced with gov. friendly psycho-babble.

[loan_ranger]

V. interesting ThePonderer, we compile a semantic lexicon, is that right?

E.g. "additional support"; sanctions and disallowances for being too ill to attend WFIs, medicals etc.

[ThePonderer]

The whole system is based on spin Ponderer.

 

Income support.... when there's no income to support.

JSA.... implying that you have to seek work to be allowed money.

 

Two examples to be going on with... but the word benefit is slowly being phased out and replaced with gov. friendly psycho-babble.

 

Thanks very much for contributing those, keep them coming.

[ThePonderer]

V. interesting ThePonderer, we compile a semantic lexicon, is that right?

E.g. "additional support"; sanctions and disallowances for being too ill to attend WFIs, medicals etc.

 

Something along those lines, a lexicon would be grand if someone were tech savvy enough to keep one updated for us all. Sadly that is not me at this point, but if anyone knows how to do this stuff and would not mind contributing those skills and abilities, then that would be about perfect I'd imagine.

 

And yes, your example catches the mood nicely.

 

Over all, though, it seems to me that the most important thing is that we all use these revised versions at every given opportunity. We are seen as a soft target, but even roses have thorns, time we let our thorns do their job is roughly what I had in mind.

 

Play the spinners at their own sordid little game. They'll only have an easy ride as long as we let them.

 

Use this stuff in letters and everyday conversation and it must make some impact.

 

I felt this was a good means for those who, like me, have not a snowball in hell's chance of marching on No.10 or The Palace Of Westmonster. Just because they know I can't get there to do that, they need not think I'm going to fail to go after them, given anything I can find to throw at them. This is the first pebble I have found to throw along the way. We can all find a pebble somewhere and someday, we simply need to keep our eyes open for them.

[PriorityOne]

 

Play the spinners at their own sordid little game. They'll only have an easy ride as long as we let them.

 

Use this stuff in letters and everyday conversation and it must make some impact.

 

 

I did.... many times when I was on Income Support I can remember asking where the income was that they were supporting?

 

Think it all started when my daughter's DLA was refused upon renewal because a GP (not her regular one) had used the word "prudent" in connection with taking medication. DLA rode with this terminology and the claim was rejected on the basis of it. I took it to a tribunal and won... but it was all very unnecessary.

 

I've nit-picked ever since....

 

Re. the name changing of benefits to allowances.... the most recent attempt at a re-vamp seems to be Incapacity Benefit (implying a benefit for being incapable of work) to Employment and Support Allowance (implying that a person is allowed financial support to find employment.

 

Support my *rse! Should be called FIFWP; Forced Intimidation to Find Work that pays Peanuts.

 

I have a job by the way and have been off benefits for years.... but I remember those times very well nevertheless.

[ThePonderer]

Well PriortyOne, I guess nit picking has it's place in all this too, best used as an abrasive to simply wear them down some!

 

I'm mostly after changing the spin back to plain language that more closely reflects the situation it was seeking to hide.

 

As a sort of halfway house to both concepts, from now on I shall try to remember to call them JSA benefit and ESA benefit! It surely can't hurt any.

[chloe01]

"Throwing the bady out with the bathwater" that should be the Governments new slogan.

[ThePonderer]

"Throwing the bady out with the bathwater" that should be the Governments new slogan.

 

A good point, perhaps we need a slogan thread? I could easily imagine that becoming somewhat amusing in no time!

[chloe01]

How about,

 

"The Government procrastinate but don´t fascinate"

or

"Gentlemen, when the enemy have committed themselves to a mistake do not interrupt them too soon"

or

'Hall of Shame' - can we name and shame?

GS x

[ThePonderer]

How about,

 

"The Government procrastinate but don´t fascinate"

or

"Gentlemen, when the enemy have committed themselves to a mistake do not interrupt them too soon"

or

'Hall of Shame' - can we name and shame?

GS x

 

Sorry, my bad, I meant a separate slogan thread but failed to make it obvious.

[chloe01]

The Government seem more like a

"bookmaker attempting to hedge his bets"

DWP are attempting, not only to have more than one bite of the cherry, they are also seeking to have their cake and eat it

[chloe01]

Sorry, my bad, I meant a separate slogan thread but failed to make it obvious.

 

Oh sorry, do you want me to start one?

 

GS

[ThePonderer]

E.g. "additional support"; sanctions and disallowances for being too ill to attend WFIs, medicals etc.

 

I've just thought a little longer on how to get that one properly un-spun; how about "coercively refinanced"?

 

Problem being that it is almost playing the same game as they do!

 

Un-spinning is going to take some getting the hang of I suspect;-)

 

I'll keep trying.

[chloe01]

I've just thought a little longer on how to get that one properly un-spun; how about "coercively refinanced"?

 

Problem being that it is almost playing the same game as they do!

 

Un-spinning is going to take some getting the hang of I suspect;-)

 

I'll keep trying.

 

I just started a Slogan Thread, what do you think?

 

GSxxx

[ThePonderer]

Oh sorry, do you want me to start one?

 

GS

 

That would be a great idea, but because I'm new I'll be darned if I know where it properly fits, it's a very large forum. Erm, bear garden or some where near that?

 

Anyone know where it needs to live?

[chloe01]

That would be a great idea, but because I'm new I'll be darned if I know where it properly fits, it's a very large forum. Erm, bear garden or some where near that?

 

Anyone know where it needs to live?

 

I am sure someone will come along and move it to the right place.

 

GS x

[RaeUK]

And, of course, we can always use our own terminology:

 

I am having a health re-defining opportunity : I have become ill

 

My prognosis reaffirmation notification unit is currently in transit : I have posted the med cert.

 

There appears to have been a fiscal malfunction, is this a temporary aberration? : Why haven't I received a benefit payment?

 

porcine cleansification : hogwash

 

Is the cleaner in? : Can I speak to someone capable of making an immediate, clear, assessment of a situation followed by a decision?

 

 

Best wishes

Rae

[loan_ranger]

Excellent stuff Rae, you're a true word-smith.

Is the cleaner in? I once phoned my local JCP after hours and spoke to the cleaner who gave me the local area manager's name, number and extension, something a normal JCP jobsworth would never have done. So many a true word in jest - my best JCP experience was when talking to the cleaner!

Paul.

Edited July 3, 2010 by loan_ranger