Reply #66: Bush uses words like "freedom and democracy" but they don't mean

[IndianaGreen]

the same thing to Bush that they mean to me.

If by Zionist one means the right of Jews to live in peace in a land of their own, a Jewish state, then by that definition I am a Zionist.

If by Zionist one means Israeli Exceptionalism, which like its American counterpart, means ignoring human rights and international law and employing military might to expand hegemony and oppress others, then by that definition I am not a Zionist.

I know there are ultra Orthodox that consider themselves anti-Zionists because they say that only the Messiah can establish Israel, but they wouldn't fit my definition of anti-Zionist.

I am reminded of the wise words of scifi author, the late Philip K. Dick who said this about the use of language:

The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.