About that CDC "word ban"...

[TitanTiger 20,511]

Turns out, it wasn't a ban at all.  And kudos to CNN, who takes a lot of flak around here and from Trump, for reporting it.

 

Quote

(CNN)  Media reports last month that the Trump administration banned officials at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from using seven words may have been overstated, according to a government document obtained by CNN and interviews with two officials.

According to stories widely reported in the media, CDC leaders told employees that in official documents being prepared for the budget, they were forbidden to use words such as "diversity", "vulnerable" and "transgender."

 

The response was immediate, intense and viral.

 

Medical groups decried the political "censorship" and the measures were called "Orwellian" on social media.

 

Some doctors posted photos of themselves with tape over their mouths along with the hashtag #ScienceNotSilence.

 

But the document obtained by CNN, along with interviews with two officials from the Department of Health and Human Services, paints a different picture.

 

They describe not a ban or prohibition on words but rather suggestions on how to improve the chances of getting funding.

 

"Words to avoid: vulnerable, diversity, entitlement," states the HHS document, "Instructions for Preparing the FY 2019 Congressional Justifications."

 

The other four words on the list -- "transgender," "fetus," "evidence-based" and "science-based" -- were brought up by employees at the meeting who wanted to know if they could be used, according to the two HHS officials, who were familiar with what transpired at the meeting.

 

"Nobody ever told them they couldn't use these seven words. It was just said, 'if you think these words would cause someone to jump to a conclusion, then use a substitute. But if there isn't a good substitute, then go ahead and use the word,' " said one of the officials.

 

"That's not censorship to me -- that's strategy," the official said.

 

"It was clear that they should avoid those seven words, but it was OK to use them if they felt they needed to," said the other official, who added that CDC leaders give guidance every year on word choice in budget documents and that the guidance changes based on who's in the White House and in Congress...

https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/11/health/cdc-word-ban-hhs-document/index.html

 

[bigbird 60,580]

Such uproar and time wasted over a common sense issue.

[TitanTiger 20,511]

8 minutes ago, bigbird said:

Such uproar and time wasted over a common sense issue.

Well, you have to admit if it really was as it was originally reported then it was a big problem.  Orwellian.  The problem was, it was never that way in the first place.

[AUDub 11,184]

Yep. Mea culpa on that one. I started the original thread. Walking that one back .

[homersapien 11,453]

That was a huge mistake, but I think the greater issue here is why the use of those words might be considered prejudicial.

[bigbird 60,580]

39 minutes ago, TitanTiger said:

Well, you have to admit if it really was as it was originally reported then it was a big problem.  Orwellian.  The problem was, it was never that way in the first place.

Yep. People are ready to pounce on anything real, perceived real, or fake.

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

As they say......even a blind pig finds an acorn every now and then. But kudos to CNN for this one.

 

[homersapien 11,453]

2 hours ago, bigbird said:

Such uproar and time wasted over a common sense issue.

"common sense issue"?   

[bigbird 60,580]

30 minutes ago, homersapien said:

"common sense issue"?   

When trying to get things from others, it's best to approach in such a manner as not to offend or inflame. Common sense.

[homersapien 11,453]

13 minutes ago, bigbird said:

When trying to get things from others, it's best to approach in such a manner as not to offend or inflame. Common sense.

I recognise that. 

My confusion is why would any of these terms be considered offensive or inflammatory in the first place (as a matter of "common sense")?

vulnerable, diversity, entitlement

transgender, fetus, evidence-based, science-based