Mushroom

This is an interesting word. When it's used as a noun, it identifies a fungus that is often edible, sometimes psychedelic and occasionally poisonous. The word has endless descriptive possibilities.

Lately, it's been used as a verb in sentences trying to explain or accurately describe many aspects of our current government. I know when I hear any government person utter a phrase with the verb "mushrooming" (e.g., "mushrooming trade deficit", "mushrooming federal bureaucracy", "mushrooming prison population") he or she is sending a clear warning that non-rich Americans should get ready for a beating. I suspect the code will change soon, just to keep us off guard. I think the word is wasted in this context, frankly.

Any word that is part of the phrase, "mushroom cloud", does not deserve to be linked with the current government's domestic damage-fest. It should be reserved for the big stuff: the Bushites vendetta against Iran, or North Korea, or some other axis of blah, blah. I guess Condi has China in her sights now, and who knows when she'll be urging ol Bush to put the fear of "mushroom clouds" into the missing brains and hearts of those patriotic, red-state Americans.

Supposedly there is a "mushrooming" Republican backlash against the administration's mission to completely dismantle the world, beginning with the USA. Complete misuse of this word. Any word this noble and diverse should not be connected to the word "Republican." I shudder to hear the word "backlash" connected to the repugs as well! It gives me terrifying visions of floggings, orange jump suits and televangelist sex scandals. Maybe "Republican backlash" more accurately describes the "mushrooming self-flaggelation" these people must enjoy. Hey, some people really like pain. I didn't realize so many of them lived and voted in America.

May all beings know love and peace.