Why words matter

From Silent Running

Language useage notes

Once again, AP needs to go back to basics. Today's topic: "justifies" versus "rationalizes".

Example? This headline -

al-Qaida Head Justifies Targeting Johnson

Let's just check on that definition, shall we?

To demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid: justified each budgetary expense as necessary; anger that is justified by the circumstances.

To declare free of blame; absolve.

To free (a human) of the guilt and penalty attached to grievous sin. Used of God.

Law.

1. To demonstrate sufficient legal reason for (an action taken).

Just doesn't seem to fit, any of them, does it?

This was the cold blooded murder of a man that by no sane stretch of the imagination deserved his fate, in any way, shape or form. To thus describe the unhinged rantings of a murderer, in this case Abdulaziz al-Moqrin, as a justification of his heinous and barbaric acts is totally inappropriate.

Certainly better to use something like rationalize - which has a definition of

To devise self-satisfying but incorrect reasons for (one's behavior)

To devise self-satisfying but false or inconsistent reasons for one's behavior, especially as an unconscious defense mechanism through which irrational acts or feelings are made to appear rational to oneself.

I prefer the second one.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------