In a horrific story that the national newspapers are thus far ignoring, the Associated Press is trying out its new linguistic gymnastics on illegal alien and murder suspect Jose Zarate.
According to investigators, 25-year-old Zarate went to Maria Saucedo’s home around 9:30pm on Monday, expressing interest in pursuing a romantic relationship with the woman’s 13-year-old daughter. After Saucedo refused his request, Zarate allegedly pulled out a rifle and shot the 31-year-old mother in the chest at close range while her daughter was in the room.
The Associated Press reports that “The sheriff’s office says Zarate is not a U.S. citizen and has been living in the country illegally.” Or, more concisely, he’s an illegal alien.
Troublingly, this trend of avoiding legal terminology is apparently spreading into the law enforcement community. An Arizona deputy seems to have adopted the AP’s new standard, reportedly referring to Zarate as a “non-U.S. citizen who has been living in the country without proper authorization.”
Why say “illegal alien” when you could use a dozen words to say the same thing?
