*Ø* Blogmanac | Terms of engagement

Herewith, definitions to keep on top of current events

By ERIC MARGOLIS

"It's very difficult keeping up with Mideast news due to the Orwellian newspeak coming from Washington.

"So here's a handy list of key terms, translated into simple English.

"Liberation - Invasion.

"Coalition - The U.S. and British invaders, plus some troops from rent-a-nations like Romania and Poland. In the past, 'the coalition' would have been called imperial forces and mercenary auxiliaries.

"Statesman - A cooperative dictator.

"Iraq reconstruction - a process whereby big firms that contribute to the president's re-election campaign obtain contracts to rebuild the damage caused by U.S. bombing."

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