An impeachable offense demands gravitas

Jonathan Alter in Newsweek (hat tip to Truthout) writes damningly of Bush's illegal approval of the NSA's domestic spying. The only problem is that he — and the headline writers — call this anti-Constitutional abomination "Snoopgate," and I am fearful that the rather cutesy, cuddly phrase will catch on. For obvious reasons Alter's sobriquet calls up the image of a cartoon character with a wet nose and floppy ears, not quite the image required to express moral indignation at a national disgrace.

The NSA eavesdroppers were not (are not) snooping. A snoop is the nosy parker neighbor who peers out from the corner of her window to see if you're kissing your boyfriend goodnight at the door. They were (are) spying. A spy is someone who secretly collects and reports "information on the activities, movements and plans of an enemy or competitor." There is a world of difference.

I know that Alter doesn't mean to downplay the significance of the revelations. But he, and we, must be careful in the language we use to make sure the enormity of what we've learned isn't diminished in the public discourse.

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That said, I find this editorial illustration from France's Libération (again via Truthout) irresistible.