Wikipedia tells us that “Doublespeak is language that deliberately disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. Doublespeak may take the form of euphemisms (e.g., ‘downsizing’ for layoffs, ‘servicing the target’ for bombing), in which case it is primarily meant to make the truth sound more palatable. It may also refer to intentional ambiguity in language or to actual inversions of meaning (for example, naming a state of war “peace”). In such cases, doublespeak disguises the nature of the truth.” Ain’t that the truth. The truth here: the UK has made the logical leap from implementing civilian firearms disarmament to total civilian disarmament. The above org aspires . . .
to get UK schools to include “knife education” in their curriculum. To provide instruction that discourages teens from carrying knives (or hammers and screw drivers, judging from their logo). What they don’t want to do: tell kids how to defend themselves against an attack without weapons. An omission that leaves the impression that you shouldn’t defend yourself, period.
That job falls to society, of course. A task which the UK Nanny State is all too happy to assume, albeit ineffectively. More than that, the “Only Cowards Carry Weapons” agitprop is a direct assault on personal freedom and dignity. The message (designed to last a lifetime) is classic doublespeak: being defenseless is heroic. Scary stuff but all too predictable for a disarmed populcae, yes? [h/t Barry Green]