CDC now banned from using "evidence based" and other words per White House

[babyNP.]

The Trump administration is prohibiting officials at the nation's top public health agency from using a list of seven words or phrases - including "fetus" and "transgender" - in any official documents being prepared for next year's budget.

Policy analysts at the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta were told of the list of forbidden words at a meeting Thursday with senior CDC officials who oversee the budget, according to an analyst who took part in the 90-minute briefing. The forbidden words are "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," "fetus," "evidence-based" and "science-based."

CDC gets list of forbidden words: fetus, transgender, diversity - The Washington Post

....

This is an attack on our very society itself. I could not believe it when I read it. I feel like a revolution may be inevitable if this trend continues. To ban the words "evidence-based" is beyond words for me to write.

ETA: The other words banned are: "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," "fetus," and "science-based." No less horrendous.

[maxthecat]

Yeah, this morning it looks like the CDC is denying that there are any "banned words." They say the list was mrely a way tfor their employees to phrase things so as to maximize chances of getting money from conservatives. See above post.

[guest52816]

Yes, the "banned" words are for the budget process.

Nonetheless, you must ask yourself WHY any words would be banned from use by the CDC. And look at the list of words selected for the banned list. It seems to me that they are the very words that conservatives dislike the most, such as, transgender and diversity. And why is that?

You simply can't run a world-class government by "banning" ANY words. The idea is ridiculous and unworthy of a first-world democracy.

Just as you can't ban climate scientists from discussing global warming. The scientists are leaving this country and moving to France where the government supports their work.

But with each passing day, the United States is slipping further and further away from a first-world democracy.

[chare]

Yes, the "banned" words are for the budget process.

Nonetheless, you must ask yourself WHY any words would be banned from use by the CDC. And look at the list of words selected for the banned list. It seems to me that they are the very words that conservatives dislike the most, such as, transgender and diversity. And why is that?

You simply can't run a world-class government by "banning" ANY words. The idea is ridiculous and unworthy of a first-world democracy.

Just as you can't ban climate scientists from discussing global warming. The scientists are leaving this country and moving to France where the government supports their work.

But with each passing day, the United States is slipping further and further away from a first-world democracy.

Are you suggesting that the governments of Britain, Canada, France, and Poland are not "world class governments?" from the Washington Post It's not just Trump's administration that bans words. European nations have done it, too.

When policy analysts at Atlanta's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) met with senior budget officials last week, they were told that seven words or phrases could no longer be used in official documents being prepared for next year's budget, including "vulnerable," "entitlement," "diversity," "transgender," "fetus," "evidence-based" and "science-based."

According to my colleagues Lena H. Sun and Juliet Eilperin, the Trump administration's Department of Health and Human Services has banned their use. The move was seen as ideologically motivated and has faced resistance from within the nation's top public health agency.

Although some consider it to be yet another example of the Trump administration's threat to the independence of federal agency scientists, there are precedents for such language policing - at least abroad.

[...]

Having said that, I do find this somewhat concerning; even if only in documents supporting the budget process.

[guest52816]

Are you suggesting that the governments of Britain, Canada, France, and Poland are not "world class governments?" from the Washington Post It's not just Trump's administration that bans words. European nations have done it, too.

Having said that, I do find this somewhat concerning; even if only in documents supporting the budget process.

I would like to think, and certainly hope that the United States would stand head and shoulders above this kind of behavior.

The argument that "others do it too," isn't good enough and doesn't fly with me. It shouldn't fly with anyone in this country.

[GrumpyRN, NP]

Are you suggesting that the governments of Britain, Canada, France, and Poland are not "world class governments?" from the Washington Post It's not just Trump's administration that bans words. European nations have done it, too.

Having said that, I do find this somewhat concerning; even if only in documents supporting the budget process.

Did you read the article you referenced?

Poland are trying to stop people from thinking they were responsible for German crimes.

The UK has had a long battle with official documents to try to make them understandable - it is called "plain English".

France are trying to keep their language pure. Banning the word email and giving a French alternative.

None of the countries has tried to ban using the correct terms for things - seriously what are you going to call a foetus. (UK spelling). Something is either "evidence-based" or it is not.

Banning the use to appease some evangelical in office to obtain funding is censorship and goes back to my original quotes.

[macawake, MSN]

Are you suggesting that the governments of Britain, Canada, France, and Poland are not "world class governments"?

Poland in my opinion certainly isn't with its current government. The European Union has voiced serious concern with the path they've chosen.

Poland's Authoritarian Shift Spurs Warning of Economic Trouble - Bloomberg

Poland Is Cutting the ‘Last Fuses' on Democracy, Official Warns - Bloomberg

Polish Parliament Approves Law Curtailing Courts' Independence - The New York Times

The Observer view on Poland's assault on law and the judiciary | Observer editorial | Opinion | The Guardian

Poland's ruling party continues its march towards authoritarianism | HuffPost

It's not just Trump's administration that bans words. European nations have done it, too. - The Washington Post

Although some consider it to be yet another example of the Trump administration's threat to the independence of federal agency scientists, there are precedents for such language policing — at least abroad.

Some bans on phrases have been more serious than others. The Polish Parliament approved a bill last year that allows judges to send anyone to prison for up to three years for using the phrase Polish death camps.”

Chare, I like you and I respect you. Please don't engage in whataboutism. Please be very upset when your government starts to show signs of authorianism. Please. It doesn't matter that there are other countries out there that are also plagued with anti-democratic leaders. Poland simply isn't the standard you should be comparing yourselves to. You can do better. Much better.

Having said that, I do find this somewhat concerning; even if only in documents supporting the budget process.

I'm relieved that you find it concerning. As I mentioned in my previous post; this is only one small part of the bigger picture. I hope you all remain vigilant and keep your eyes on the big picture.

[chare]

I would like to think, and certainly hope that the United States would stand head and shoulders above this kind of behavior.

The argument that "others do it too," isn't good enough and doesn't fly with me. It shouldn't fly with anyone in this country.

I'm not suggesting that it's okay because ithers do it. I merely pointed out that four other governments, at least three of whom are held in high esteem by many on this board hace done the same.

[chare]

Did you read the article you referenced?

Poland are trying to stop people from thinking they were responsible for German crimes.

The UK has had a long battle with official documents to try to make them understandable - it is called "plain English".

France are trying to keep their language pure. Banning the word email and giving a French alternative.

None of the countries has tried to ban using the correct terms for things - seriously what are you going to call a foetus. (UK spelling). Something is either "evidence-based" or it is not.

Banning the use to appease some evangelical in office to obtain funding is censorship and goes back to my original quotes.

Yes, I did. However, i was responding to the following specific post:

[...]

You simply can't run a world-class government by "banning" ANY words. The idea is ridiculous and unworthy of a first-world democracy.

[...]

The British problem with plain English can't be any worse than the American problem. If wen this ban was announced, the stated purpose had been to made them "more understandable," would that have made it more acceptable?

ETA: And, from my link it isn't clear to what extent, if at all, these changes were ideologically motivated.

As I stated, I don't think this was well thought out, and definately don't agree with it, for any number of reasons. And yes, banning the use of foetus (yes, I was aware of the UK spellung) is beyond ridiculous.

[chare]

[…]

Chare, I like you and I respect you. Please don't engage in whataboutism. Please be very upset when your government starts to show signs of authorianism. Please. It doesn't matter that there are other countries out there that are also plagued with anti-democratic leaders. Poland simply isn't the standard you should be comparing yourselves to. You can do better. Much better.

[…]

Thank you for the links. Again, it was not my intent to engage in whataboutism, as that rarely, if ever is helpful. Rather, I Was responding to one post in particular. Rereading my post, I certainly see how it could be taken that way.

[…]

I'm relieved that you find it concerning. As I mentioned in my previous post; this is only one small part of the bigger picture. I hope you all remain vigilant and keep your eyes on the big picture.

Yes, concerning for several reasons. And, though I generally find myself on the opposite side of the political spectrum from many on here posting, on this issue at least, I think we have much in common.

[chare]

Deleted, duplicate post.

[forest4]

What we need to know before making judgments.

Where is the proof that a list of words was given, what words, when and why?

I would like to see some documentation before I believe what is reported in today's news.

We have all seen reports that were not correct, even research misrepresented by the media.

[forest4]

So they were " told" and then they "told". Is there anything in writing or are we all just being "told"?