If It Weren't Such An Honor ...

Three Washington politicians receive annual 'Doublespeak' award

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Nov. 25) -- Three Washington politicians -- President Bill Clinton, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- have won this year's Doublespeak Award from the National Council of Teachers of English.

The teachers' group chided the three men for using deceptive language to describe this year's balanced-budget agreement, which the group contends will actually increase the federal deficit by cutting taxes and boosting spending.

After the budget agreement, all three men were effusive in their praise for it. Clinton said the agreement "put America's fiscal house in order again." Lott congratulated Democrats for rising above partisanship, and Gingrich declared it "a great victory for all Americans."

Since 1974, the Champaign, Ill.-based council has given its Doublespeak Award to public figures who the group claims have used deceptive, evasive, or deliberately ambiguous language. The council also publishes a "Quarterly Review of Doublespeak."

In Other News:

Tuesday Nov. 25, 1997

• Reno's Decision Expected Next Week
• The Making Of The Presidential Turkey
• Study: Money Follows Party In Power
• Judge: Paula Jones Can Amend Lawsuit
• Doublespeak Awards
• Union Board Files Charges Against Carey
• Albright To Visit African Countries
• Tax Software Offered For Free
• Prudential, Justice Department Settle
• Congress Nears Showdown Over Trade
• GOP To Attack Fed. Programs In 1998
• Starr Accuser Loses At Justice Dept
• Tree Donors Tree Doesn't Measure Up

E-Mail From Washington:
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