Jack Murphy, a Korean War veteran, resented the use of the term “peacenik” in a recent story to describe Catholics who protest against the death penalty.
“Peacenik,” Murphy said, “is widely accepted as a derogatory word used to describe those who demonstrate against a specific war or war in general. Any Catholic who opposes the death penalty is merely adhering to the teachings of the church. I am Catholic and I am opposed to the death penalty. Having fought in Korea, however, I hardly can be called a peacenik.”
So what would be a better term?
Here was the response from Dan Misleh, policy advisor of the U.S. Catholic Conference: “Peacenik is a term that would be appropriate for some who demonstrates, but more inclusive phraseology may be something like, ‘citizens working against the death penalty.’ I know that’s not as snappy, but probably more reflective of the array of folks concerned about this issue.”
Frank McNeirney, representing Catholics Against Capital Punishment, said: “Anti-death penalty protesters generally refer to themselves as ‘abolitionists.’ Although our group doesn’t use the term that often, I think it’s a good one. It calls to mind the anti-slavery movement 150 years ago, when the general public seemed to accept, or tolerate, the concept of slavery in much the same way as the general public today tolerates the death penalty.”
My comments: A term should be accurate, specific and not prone to be used by advocates of either side of a controversy. The dictionary says that “peacenik” refers to pacifists, so that term probably is not specific enough. “Abolitionists” is overly general and doesn’t immediately conjure images of the death penalty. “Death penalty opponents” would seem to be such a term, though it won’t fit easily into headlines.
Clarifying unnamed person
In an April 1 news story on disciplinary action taken against Jacksonville physician Gary A. Decker, his physician’s assistant was mentioned but not named. Camille Snober, his current physician’s assistant, would like it known that she was not involved in that case.
B.C., Beetle offend some readers
Today’s comics includes a B.C. comic strip that has offended some Jewish leaders. The strip shows a menorah being replaced by a cross. The controversy spread nationwide before the strip was even published. Since the comics are printed out of town and trucked here a week early, Times-Union managers had no way to cut the controversial strip.
A news story was published yesterday. It describes the situation and includes comments from Times-Union management. If you have comments on the strip, feel feel to contact me.
Meanwhile, last Sunday’s comics showed Beetle Bailey from the rear with no clothes. One reader said that was not appropriate for her young daughter.
So I called King Features, the syndicate that provides that comic strip to newspapers. It had received no other complaints on the strip and said the panel looked mild.
