Do words have any effect?

Those of us who write for a living like to think so.

We hope that we can use words to persuade, enlighten and perhaps even entertain.

But if words do have an effect, then why are so many people in positions of power so incredibly careless with the words they use?

In recent weeks here are just a few of the words that have been used to describe ICE officers: Gestapo. Neo-Nazis.

Secret Police.

And these words were not used by some deranged online hysteric typing from their basement.

They were used by — in order — Governor Tim Walz , Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu and Governor Gavin Newsom .

The first of those people could have been the Vice President had the election last November gone the other way.

The last of them — the Governor of California — clearly

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