Today's English Lesson For Jewish Voters - Reject AND Denounce

For all my landsmen readers (all 3), here are the Merriam-Webster dictionary definitions of "reject" and "denounce", two words that were of particular significance in last night's Democratic Party "debate" between Sens. Clinton and Obama. The words came into play when Tim Russert, in, for me very uncomfortable stretch, a question concerning Louis Farrakhan's "endorsement" of Sen. Obama. He immediately denounced the anti-Semite bastard (my word) and then was jumped on by Clinton, in what seemed like pandering to the Jewish vote for not being strong enough in not "rejecting" the endorsement of Farrakhan. Instead of arguing the point, he immediately conceded it. It was like jiu-jitsu, using the other party's force against them. His answer made Hillary look very petty.

I think that after reading the definitions below, you'll agree that "denounce" is in actuality a stronger term than "reject". But if it makes us all feel better about Obama -- and make no mistake -- the Clinton Machine, as well as the Republican Smear Commmittee will try to scare us Jews about Obama's views on Israel by using words and images that imply through innuendo that he is a Muslim Manchurian candidate/terrorist/all-round enemy of Israel/Jews. More commentary on the racism that is already in the campaign in a separate post.



REJECT

Main Entry: 1re·ject
Pronunciation: \ri-ˈjekt\
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin rejectus, past participle of reicere, from re- + jacere to throw — more at jet
Date: 15th century
1 a: to refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use b: to refuse to hear, receive, or admit : rebuff, repel c: to refuse as lover or spouse
2obsolete : to cast off
3: throw back, repulse
4: to spew out
5: to subject to immunological rejection
synonyms see decline



DENOUNCE

Main Entry: de·nounce
Pronunciation: \di-ˈnau̇n(t)s, dē-\
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): de·nounced; de·nounc·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French denuncier to proclaim, from Latin denuntiare, from de- + nuntiare to report — more at announce
Date: 13th century
1: to pronounce especially publicly to be blameworthy or evil
2archaic a: proclaim b: to announce threateningly
3: to inform against : accuse
4obsolete : portend
5: to announce formally the termination of (as a treaty)
synonyms see criticize