Again, what we call things matters. These names reflect and transmit worldviews. We should therefore choose our words wisely, and we should realize that others are often choosing their words craftily.

During debate in March 2010 on the health care bill, Randy Neugebauer (R-Tex.) yelled out “It’s a baby killer!” on the House floor. He was immediately asked to apologize — which he did, sort of. He said he didn’t intend to call any person a baby killer, but he said the bill itself would result in the deaths of babies — by abortion and health-care rationing.

Use of the term “baby-killer” actually has a long history in American political discourse. American University professor Allan Lichtman told NPR’s “On The Media,” however, that it has “no place” in political speech.

But why not? If abortion is indeed the killing of babies, wouldn’t it be dishonest to call it something else? Those on both sides of this question would likely agree that whoever controls the language of the debate can control the outcome of the debate…

While we’re at it, I should mention that we at WORLD think that abortion is one of the defining issues of our time, so we devote almost an entire issue to subject on an annual basis…

What’s my point? It’s that what we call things matters.

Warren Smith is the Associate Publisher of WORLD magazine.

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