Godwin’s law, paranoia and the political misuse of language.

Here is Godwin’s Law.

Godwin’s law (also known as Godwin’s Rule of Nazi Analogies or Godwin’s Law of Nazi Analogies is an assertion made by Mike Godwin in 1990 that has become an Internet adage. It states: “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1. “In other words, Godwin said that, given enough time, in any online discussion—regardless of topic or scope—someone inevitably makes a comparison to Hitler or the Nazis.

On the other hand, Joseph Heller who wrote the incredible Catch 22, said that just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean someone isn’t after you.

Which brings me to the issue of the political misuse of words and language.

In Chicago the mayor has ordered that the most dangerous streets in Chicago be marked by yellow signs that say Safe Passage.

There is not one Safe Passage sign on North Michigan Avenue. Or Astor Street. Or on the block in Lake View where the Mayor lives.

It is only in the city’s murder zones that the streets are marked as Safe Passage.

Schools  that students are now forced to attend out of their neighborhoods, often across dangerous gang turf, are called Welcoming Schools by our Mayor.

I know that all students will be welcomed by teachers and staff at the schools that students will now attend far from their neighborhood.

But in no other sense can the closing of neighborhood schools and the forced march, often over a mile away, be considered a welcoming situation. What parent or child welcomes a morning and afternoon hike accompanied by armed guards?

At the risk of being accused of using Godwin’s Law of Nazi Analogies, I can’t help but be reminded of the words,  Arbeit Macht Frei over the front gates of Nazi concentration camps.

“Work makes you free.”

But before you accuse me of engaging in Godwin’s Law, remember the words of Joseph Heller.