I actually don't disagree with you analog, but I think the Fox News network takes it just a little too far. And it's quite acceptable to say "tank" rather than M1A1 Abrahms, or "handgun" rather than M1911A1 etc. That doesn't make you sound officious. It makes you sound pretentious. Why? Because the vast majority of people don't know what an M1911A1 is, but they sure know what a handgun is.
Indeed, the whole idea of embedded journalists, stage managed scenes, "live interviews" and carefully vetted (aka censored) reporting from war-zones makes me uneasy.
Of course journalists should use the correct terminology. However, they should avoid making up their own phrases ("homicide bombers" anyone?), throwing about jargon for no value and just to satisfy the quasi-militaristic self-masturbatory desires of some of their viewers/readers. I guess you could call me old fashioned, but I think they should try to maintain at least a semblance of impartiality.
Of course, some networks are pretty open about not being impartial and I guess that's OK too. I just hate watching them.
Mr Mephisto
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