Let me be clear…
The phrase “let me be clear” has infected American, even global politics.
It was a signature effect of President Obama’s speaking style. It sounded forceful, and, well… clear. It’s a great way to get listeners to pay attention for a few seconds, maybe even get your point quoted. It’s a type of trick often taught during media training called “flagging.”
But flags become tattered in the wind. Now that it’s passed into so many speeches from so many public figures, I can’t help wondering. If you’re telling me you’re about to be clear, what the **** were you doing before that?
The reality is that what follows is rarely any more or less clear than what preceded.
How or Why?
2024-08-20
