Soft Language Can Still Harden Hearts

As I read the article, War on Terror: Obama Softened the Language, But Hardened Muslims Hearts, written by Stuart Gottlieb my first reaction as I get through the first few paragraphs is "of course watching your words hasn't exactly made Muslims thrilled." Softening words doesn't change what we're saying. It's like saying "oh, I see you've gained a little more weight, more to love" verses "I think you've gained some weight," they both mean the same thing and I think in regards to such serious subjects as terrorism sugar coating language doesn't make a difference, because it isn't the main issue.
"These starkly negative trend lines suggest the limited utility of language in fighting terrorism. Yes, terrorism is a propaganda-fueled activity – an ongoing battle to win hearts and minds and attract new recruits to fight for the cause. And of course the language used in combating terrorism is vital – the counterproductive "smoke 'em out" rhetoric of the Bush administration is a case in point," points out Gottlieb. Yes, language is a key tool in recruiting propaganda-fueled activity, but is it a key element in stopping it? Will terrorists stop because we call them something different? Will people hate one another less because they are labeled differently? I think not.
It makes since that Muslims have "hardened hearts" on this issue. Its like saying "all Germans that had blonde hair and blue eyes during the Nazi era, were out to humiliate and ultimatley phase out the Jews." Not all Muslims are terrorists and referring to them with such wording, taking it back, re wording negativley, positivley, just isn't cutting it. Obama's administration has done a good job moving in right direction, but it isn't quite there yet. "His administration seems to have overlearned a key lesson of the Bush years – that overstating the threat of terrorism has costs attached. So, too, does rhetoric that understates the threat, especially when detached from policy." I think that as a whole yes there still are concerns to be had, and I think language is important, but we have to walk the walk too.
"It is not too late to reverse this troubling trend. The White House can begin by focusing less on overly reassuring rhetoric – which has not paid dividends at home or abroad – and more on a candid accounting of the threats faced and the policies employed to confront them."

SOURCES: Stuart Gottlieb, Oct. 14, 2010, War on Terror: Obama Softened the Language, But Hardened Muslims Hearts, Christian Science Monitor.