Our English language often get usurped by spin doctors – masking ideas with euphemism. Or should we say… associating a new meaning to a word or phrase. This dynamic nature of words is a natural evolution of how humans interact and communicate. But sometimes, it shows how powerful the ability to spin words can be.

In many instances, spin takes away the original intent or meaning of a word, and at best, adds more meaning to the original word. I think of spin, gay, affirmative, pride, and now comfort.

Yes Comfort.

It’s seems that this choice of word had been selected to mask the ugly deeds undertaken by groups of men who went on a wholesale campaign of rape and pillaging over half a century ago.

A couple of weeks ago, current Japanese Prime Minister Abe denied that his past military was involved in any atrocities – in particular the mass kidnapping of Korean, Chinese, Philipino and other Asian women for their armies’ brothels. Abe denied that these systemic rape stations were planned, and suggested that all the women who were victimized at the brothels were willing participants.

An outcry from various nations occurred – including one from our large southern neighbour.

U.S. Congressman, Michael Honda, tabled a bill denouncing the denial by the Japanese government …and stated on March 6, 2007:

” Madam Speaker, I rise today in shock and disappointment at recent news from Japan, where it was reported that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has denied the historical fact that the Japanese Imperial Army forced as many as 200,000 women into sex slavery during the Second World War, and publicly stated that Japan will not issue an apology, even if a resolution is passed in the United States House of Representatives.”

Apparently this sort of reaction occurred in a number of nations, led by their respective leaders … except here in Canada. In Canada, Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a major gaffaw a couple of days ago by accepting Japanese PM’s view of history… and thus, unleashing a torrent of criticism from various hyphenated-Canadian communities and their media.

This week, I received a number of communications regarding planned efforts to trip up Harper, and I sense that there will be some most interesting events in store. There’d be the usual protest and one finger salutes… but I’d suggest they work smarter, not harder (protests require a lot of effort and energy to organize). Learn from the political spin meisters.

This is most interesting for us Canadians, as our nation is about to jump into a federal election, and this sound bite by our PM, is the last thing our governing Conservative party needs.

For more information and reaction, check out this link: http://chineseinvancouver.blogspot.com

It will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds.

I don’t think there will be any comfort for any of these two sitting Prime Ministers.